Examples of Interrogative Adjectives
We all ask questions every day, whether we’re choosing a snack, planning a trip, or solving a problem. But have you ever noticed how certain words help us frame those questions more precisely?
What are Interrogative Adjectives?
Interrogative adjectives are words that modify nouns (or pronouns) to ask questions. Unlike regular adjectives that describe nouns, these question words help us seek specific information.
There are only three interrogative adjectives in English:
- Which
- What
- Whose
The catch? They always come before a noun and cannot stand alone.
Example:
- ❌ Incorrect: Which is your bag? (Here, “which” acts as a pronoun, not an adjective.)
- ✅ Correct: Which bag is yours? (Modifies the noun “bag.”)
1. Which
Use: To ask about a specific choice from a limited set of options.
Examples:
- Which shirt should I wear to the party?
- Which route is faster: the highway or back roads?
- Which movie do you want to watch tonight?
Tip: Use “which” when the options are implied or known. For instance, if you’re holding two shirts, “Which shirt?” makes sense. If the options are unlimited, use “what” instead.
2. What
Use: To ask about something general or when options are open-ended.
Examples:
- What time does the train leave?
- What book are you reading?
- What flavor of ice cream do you like?
Tip: “What” works when the possibilities are broad. For example, asking “What movie genre do you prefer?” invites answers like “horror,” “comedy,” or “documentary.”
3. Whose
Use: To ask about possession or ownership.
Examples:
- Whose phone is ringing?
- Whose idea was it to start this project?
- Whose dog is barking outside?
Fun Fact: “Whose” is often confused with “who’s” (a contraction of “who is”).
Remember:
- ✅ Whose keys are these? (Interrogative adjective)
- ❌ Who’s keys are these? (Incorrect!)
Examples of Interrogative Adjectives
- What book are you reading?
- Which car is yours?
- Whose phone is ringing?
- What time is it?
- Which color do you prefer?
- Whose idea was it to go on this trip?
- What kind of music do you like?
- Which team do you think will win?
- Whose turn is it to do the dishes?
- What size shoe do you wear?
- What movie did you watch last night?
- Which shirt should I wear to the party?
- Whose book is this on the table?
- What time does the concert start?
- Which restaurant do you want to go to for dinner?
- Whose bag is this on the floor?
- What kind of car do you drive?
- Which color do you think looks better on me?
- Whose idea was it to have a party tonight?
- What size shoes do you wear?
- Which route should we take to get to the airport?
- Whose dog is barking outside?
- What brand of phone do you have?
- Which seat do you want on the plane?
- Whose turn is it to take out the trash?
- What type of food do you like to eat?
- Which movie do you want to watch?
- Whose laptop is this on the desk?
- What is your favorite color?
- Which team are you rooting for in the game?
- What did you eat for breakfast?
- Which phone should I buy?
- Whose car is parked in the driveway?
- What day is your birthday?
- Which book do you want to read next?
- Whose phone number do I need to call?
- What type of music do you listen to?
- Which hotel should we book for our trip?
- Whose turn is it to pick the movie?
- What is your favorite hobby?
- Which song do you want to hear next?
- Whose jacket is this on the chair?
- What is your favorite food?
- Which museum should we visit first?
- Whose idea was it to go to the beach?
- What is your favorite movie?
- Which store has the best deals?
- Whose dog is running in the park?
- What is your favorite sport to play?
- Which book should I buy for my sister’s birthday?
- What time do you usually wake up?
- Which outfit do you like better?
- Whose guitar is this in the corner?
- What is your favorite TV show?
- Which restaurant has the best pizza?
- Whose house are we going to for the party?
- What is your favorite animal?
- Which vacation destination do you want to go to?
- Whose turn is it to drive?
- What is your favorite season?
- Which hotel has the best pool?
- Which stadium has the best seating?
- Whose idea was it to go on the road trip?
- What is your favorite type of sandwich?
- Which airline do you usually fly with?
- Whose phone charger is plugged in over there?
- What is your favorite type of tea?
- Which store do you prefer for shopping?
- Whose computer is this on the desk?
- What is your favorite book?
- Which team won the championship last year?
- Whose phone charger is this in the outlet?
- What is your favorite place to visit?
- Which hotel has the best view?
- Whose cat is sleeping on the couch?
- What is your favorite holiday?
- Which game should we play next?
- What did you do over the weekend?
- Which color looks better on the wall?
- Whose bicycle is this in the garage?
- What is your favorite type of cuisine?
- Which park has the best walking trails?
- Whose idea was it to go to the museum?
- What is your favorite type of music to dance to?
- Which city has the best nightlife?
- Whose turn is it to buy the next round of drinks?
- What is your favorite type of flower?
- Which TV channel has your favorite show?
- Whose child is crying in the playground?
- What is your favorite type of coffee?
- Which street do we turn on to get to the store?
- Whose turn is it to choose the restaurant?
- What is your favorite type of dessert?
- Which movie theater has the best sound system?
- Whose idea was it to take the day off work?
- What is your favorite genre of music?
- Which trail should we take to get to the top of the mountain?
- Whose dog is barking in the neighborhood?
- What is your favorite type of fruit?
- Which fashion brand do you prefer?
- Whose car keys are on the counter?
- What is your favorite type of pizza topping?
- Which gym has the best equipment?
- Whose phone case is this on the table?
- What is your favorite type of workout?
- Which artist’s work do you admire the most?
- Whose turn is it to choose the movie?
- What is your favorite type of pasta?
- Which hair salon do you go to?
- Whose jacket is this on the back of the chair?
- What is your favorite type of weather?
- Which city do you want to travel to next?
- Whose turn is it to buy the tickets?
- What is your favorite type of ice cream?
- Which park has the best picnic spots?
- Whose phone is ringing on the table?
- What is your favorite type of cheese?
- Which brand of camera do you use?
- Whose sunglasses are these on the counter?
- What is your favorite type of soup?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing interrogative adjectives with pronouns:
- Adjective: Whose car is this? (Modifies “car”)
- Pronoun: Whose is this? (No noun after “whose”)
- Using “which” vs. “what”:
- Use “which” for limited choices: Which dessert should we order: cake or pie?
- Use “what” for open-ended questions: What dessert do you crave?
- Misplacing the adjective:
- ❌ You want which flavor? (Informal/question tag)
- ✅ Which flavor do you want? (Formal/interrogative structure)
Why Do Interrogative Adjectives Matter?
They add clarity and precision to your questions.
- “What book should I read?” (General) vs.
- “Which book should I read first: *1984* or Pride and Prejudice?” (Specific)
Interrogative adjectives might seem small, but they’re mighty tools for effective communication. Next time you ask a question, pause and think: “Which word—what, which, or whose—will make my question clearer?”
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