Interrogative pronouns are a special type of pronouns that help you to ask questions.
What Are Interrogative Pronouns?
Interrogative pronouns replace a noun in a question. They’re ALWAYS used in a question
The most commonly used ones include: Who?
Whom?, Whose?, What?, Which?, Whomever?, Whichever?
They can all be singular or plural depending on the noun that they are replacing.
How Do I Use Interrogative Pronouns?
You use them to ask questions when seeking a specific type of noun as an answer.
How Used in a Question
Example
who
Answer is a person used as a subject
Who left their towel on the floor?
whom
Answer is a person used as an object
To whom did you give the note?
whose
Referring to ownership, possessions, or a relationship
I love these shoes. Whose are they?
whoever
Emphasis in “who?” questions, used as a subject
Will whoever leaves last please crate the dog?
whomever
Emphasis in “who?” questions, with surprise or confusion, as an object
I will hire whomever you recommend.
what
Answer is an object or abstract concept
What will we do tomorrow?
which
Multiple choices as an answer
Which do you like best?
whatever
Refers to a nonspecific thing
Put whatever in the bag for lunch.
whichever
Refers to a specific thing
Whichever you want is fine by me!
QUICK TIP!
Don’t confuse these with Relative Pronouns, which introduce relative clauses within a sentence. Interrogative means they’re asking a question.
Interrogative pronoun - Who wrote this note?
Relative pronoun - I’m curious to know the person who wrote this note. Who introduces the relative clause who wrote this note that identifies the particular
person someone is curious about.
Don’t confuse them with Interrogative Adjectives as well. Those modify nouns and aren’t used by themselves as a subject or an object within a sentence.
Here’s an example: Interrogative pronoun - Which is yours? Interrogative adjective - Which doll is yours?
Interrogative pronouns are a special type of pronouns that help you to ask questions.
What Are Interrogative Pronouns?
Interrogative pronouns replace a noun in a question. They’re ALWAYS used in a question
The most commonly used ones include: Who?
Whom?, Whose?, What?, Which?, Whomever?, Whichever?
They can all be singular or plural depending on the noun that they are replacing.
How Do I Use Interrogative Pronouns?
You use them to ask questions when seeking a specific type of noun as an answer.
How Used in a Question
Example
who
Answer is a person used as a subject
Who left their towel on the floor?
whom
Answer is a person used as an object
To whom did you give the note?
whose
Referring to ownership, possessions, or a relationship
I love these shoes. Whose are they?
whoever
Emphasis in “who?” questions, used as a subject
Will whoever leaves last please crate the dog?
whomever
Emphasis in “who?” questions, with surprise or confusion, as an object
I will hire whomever you recommend.
what
Answer is an object or abstract concept
What will we do tomorrow?
which
Multiple choices as an answer
Which do you like best?
whatever
Refers to a nonspecific thing
Put whatever in the bag for lunch.
whichever
Refers to a specific thing
Whichever you want is fine by me!
QUICK TIP!
Don’t confuse these with Relative Pronouns, which introduce relative clauses within a sentence. Interrogative means they’re asking a question.
Interrogative pronoun - Who wrote this note?
Relative pronoun - I’m curious to know the person who wrote this note. Who introduces the relative clause who wrote this note that identifies the particular
person someone is curious about.
Don’t confuse them with Interrogative Adjectives as well. Those modify nouns and aren’t used by themselves as a subject or an object within a sentence.
Here’s an example: Interrogative pronoun - Which is yours? Interrogative adjective - Which doll is yours?