'wh'-words

◊ GRAMMAR

`Wh'-words are a set of adverbs, pronouns, and determiners which all, with the exception of `how', begin with `wh'. They are:

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• the adverbs `how', `when', `where', and `why'

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• the pronouns `who', `whom', `what', `which', and `whose'

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• the determiners `what', `which', and `whose'

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`Wh'-words are used in questions.

Why are you smiling?

See entry at ↑ Questions.

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They are also used in reported questions.

He asked me where I was going.

See entry at ↑ Reporting.

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With the exception of `how' and `what', `wh'-words can be used to begin relative clauses.

...nurses who have trained for two years.

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`That' is also used to begin relative clauses, although it is not used for questions and reported questions. See entry at ↑ Relative clauses.

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See entry at ↑ 'Wh'-clauses for information on the use of `wh'-words to begin clauses used as subjects and prepositional objects.

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You will find information on how to use each `wh'-word in the entry for that word.

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