Our big question today is this:
Should the Wh-word go at the beginning of the sentence, or in the middle?
Let’s look at two examples:
How old do you think I am?
Do you know how old I am?
Both sentences are correct. But these are incorrect:
How old do you know I am? ❌
Do you think how old I am? ❌
The sentence structure looks almost the same. The only difference is the verb: think vs. know.
So why does changing the verb force the Wh-word to move? 🤔
The reason is simple: these verbs ask different kinds of questions.
1️⃣ “Do you know…” → Yes/No Question
When we say:
Do you know how old I am?
We are asking whether you know or not.
The answer should be “yes” or “no.”
Because it’s a yes/no question, the sentence cannot start with a Wh-word.
Instead, it must start with an auxiliary verb like do.
The Wh-word is embedded inside the sentence as part of a noun clause.
Structure:
Do you know + [Wh-word] + [subject] + [verb]?
Examples of similar verbs include verbs of knowledge or fact, such as:
know
remember
understand
tell
find out
These verbs introduce a noun clause, not a direct Wh-question.
2️⃣ “Do you think…” → Opinion Question
Now look at this sentence:
How old do you think I am?
Here, we are not asking yes or no.
We are asking for your opinion.
The answer might be:
25 years old
30 years old
100 years old! 😄
Since we are asking for the actual answer to the Wh-question, the Wh-word must come at the beginning.
Structure:
[Wh-word] + do you think + [subject] + [verb]?
Verbs that work like think include:
believe
suppose
guess
These verbs ask for real answers, not just yes or no.
Summary: The verb determines where the Wh-word goes.
Do you know how old I am? → Yes/No question
How old do you think I am? → Real Wh-question
Practice questions
There is a stranger standing by the gate.
We have the words: you / think / is / who / that / do / man / ?
We are completely lost and it’s starting to rain.
should / do / what / you / suppose / we / do
The tire tracks lead toward the woods.
way / which / think / they / do / went / you
This vintage car is beautiful, but it's in rough shape.
cost / how much / imagine / will / do / you / it
Sarah just ran out of the room covering her face.
is / why / do / think / you / crying / she
I need to return these books before the weekend.
know / where / do / you / is / the library
The boss looks very angry and is calling for a meeting.
tell / can / us / what / he / you / wants
The house was empty when I arrived at noon.
remember / you / do / they / left / when
I’ve been pressing every button, but nothing is happening.
explain / can / how / you / works / this