0
Zoliky Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Asking questions (grammar)

I have two questions:

1. What are you drinking ?
2. What is the man doing ?

Someone explain me why the first question use "are" instead of "is"?
  

Top answer

the subject verb agreement is with 'you' in the first question and 'the man' in the second. Questions using the verb 'to be' have inverted word order. The statement word order for these questions would be 'you are drinking (something)' and 'the man is doing (something)'.

— Richard_s

  • the subject verb agreement is with 'you' in the first question and 'the man' in the second.
  • Questions using the verb 'to be' have inverted word order.
  • The statement word order for these questions would be 'you are drinking (something)' and 'the man is doing (something)'.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
the subject verb agreement is with 'you' in the first question and 'the man' in the second.  Questions using the verb 'to be' have inverted word order.  The statement word order for these questions would be 'you are drinking (something)' and 'the man is doing (something)'.
0
0
Hi,
The Present Continuous tense (singular) is like this.

I am drinking.
You are drinking.
He/she/it is drinking.

Questions just involve a different word order.

Best wishes, Clive
0
0
zolikyCan someone Someone explain me why the first question uses "are" instead of "is"?
It's because of the word you. In questions, think of are you as a unit.
What are you drinking?
What are you
0

Related Questions