Teach them Quasm – Meaning?
This is a simple formula (I use it all the time) that works for asking questions in almost ALL the verb tenses in an EFL class!
QU estion word
A uxiliary verb
S ubject
M ain verb
Look how QUASM works for forming questions in the following verb tenses:
Simple Present Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
Where do you live?
What does Jane think about the film?
Simple Past Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
How did they learn Russian so fast?
When did you get home from practice?
Present Continuous Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
What are you eating now?
Why is he ignoring you?
Past Continuous Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
Who were you laughing at?
What was John doing when you called?
Present Perfect Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
How much money have you spent on video games this month?
How long has your teacher worked at this school?
Future Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
Who will you invite to the game?
What will your mum think about your idea?
Modal Questions:
QUESTION WORD AUXILIARY VERB SUBJECT MAIN VERB
What would you do if you had a million pounds?
How could we improve our Italian?
Exceptions:
Yes/No questions do not use a question word…
However, they still follow ASM (Auxiliary verb – Subject – Main verb)
• Do you like apples?
• Did you enjoy the show?
• Are you studying English?
• Were you sleeping when I called you yesterday evening?
Questions where the main verb is “be” also don’t follow the pattern:
• Are you tired?
• Is she a doctor?
• Were your parents upset when you failed your exam?
• Was her ex-boyfriend a boxer?
Reported questions, indirect questions, and subject questions also do not follow QUASM –
Oh well, such is life!