Forming questions in Spanish

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2.2-1

There are three basic ways to ask questions in
Spanish. Can you guess what they are by
looking at the photos and photo captions on
this page?

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2.2-4

► One way to form a question is to raise the pitch of

your voice at the end of a declarative sentence. When
writing any question in Spanish, be sure to use an
upside-down question mark (¿) at the beginning and a
regular question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.

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2.2-5

► You can also form a question by inverting the

order of the subject and the verb of a declarative
statement. The subject may even be placed at the
end of the sentence.

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2.2-6

► Questions can also be formed by adding

the tags ¿no? or ¿verdad? at the end of
a statement.

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2.2-2

Question words

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2.2-8

► To ask a question that requires more than

a yes or no answer, use an interrogative
word.

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2.2-7

► When pronouncing this type of question,

the pitch of your voice falls at the end of
the sentence.

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2.2-3

► Notice the difference between ¿por qué?,

which is written as two words and has an
accent, and porque, which is written as one
word without an accent.

2.2-9

► In Spanish no can mean both no and not.

Therefore, when answering a yes/no question
in the negative, you need to use no twice.

© by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

© by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

2.2-12

Make questions out of these statements. Use
intonation in column 1 and the tag ¿no? in column 2.
The first item has been done for you.

Statement
1. Hablas inglés.
2. Trabajamos mañana.
3. Ustedes desean bailar.
4. Raúl estudia mucho.
5. Enseño a las nueve.
6. Luz mira la televisión.

Intonation
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________

Tag Questions
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________

¿Hablas inglés?

Hablas inglés, ¿no?