prepositions in wh - questions

Lecture No.11
Prepositions in wh-questions
A. Introduction
Daniel and Rachel each ask Vicky a question. In each question, the word what is the object of a preposition (for, about .)
What are you looking for ?
(You are looking for something .)
What are you worrying about ?
(You are worrying about something .)
The preposition normally comes in the same place as in a statement: looking for, worrying about . NOT FOr what are-you looking?
NOT About what are-you-worrying? But in more formal English, the preposition can come
before the question word . In which warehouse were the goods stored ?
OR Which warehouse were the goods stored in ? In formal English we use a preposition + whom (not who).
From whom did you obtain the information ? OR Who did you obtain the information from ?
Here are some more examples of prepositions in wh-questions. Who are we waiting for? ~ Rachel. What s Nick laughing at? ~ Oh, one of Tom s jokes. Where are you from?/Where do you come from ? Bombay. What kind of holiday are you interested in? ~ A package holiday. Who did you go out with last night? ~ Just a friend.
B What... for and what... like
We can use a question with what... for to ask about purpose .
What did you buy this computer magazine for? ~ To read about business software .
What are these bricks for? ~ We re going to build a wall .
What are they digging the road up for? ~ They re repairing a gas pipe .
What... for means the same as why
Why are they digging up the road? ~ They re repairing a gas pipe .
We can use what ... like to ask if something is good or bad, interesting or boring, etc .
What was the party like? ~ Oh, we had a great time .
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What s the place like where you live? ~ It s pretty quiet.
Note also look like .
What does your friend look like? ~ She s very tall and blond .
But we use how to ask about someone s well-being .
How are you? ~ I m OK, thanks. And you ?
How are you getting on in your new job? ~ I m really enjoying it .
Compare these two questions.
How s Melanie? ~ Oh, she s fine, thanks. (She is happy/in good health .)
What s Melanie like? ~ She s very nice. (She is a nice person.)
Exercises
Prepositions in wh-questions A.
Put in the question. Use what and put the preposition in brackets at the end .
Tom is smiling. He s pleased, (about) . What is he pleased about ?
I m busy today. I m getting ready, (for) What are you getting ready for ? I ve done something awful. I m ashamed, (of ) Haven t you heard of Kitty Beamish? She s famous, (for ) No, I haven t. Mark is annoyed. He s going to complain, (about ). Emma s in a hurry. She s going to be late, (for) I don t feel very relaxed. I feel nervous, (about ).
What... for and what... like B.
Trevor has just come home from work. Complete the conversation. Put in for, how, like or what . Trevor: Hello, my love. (?) How are you ?
Laura: Hello. I m all right, but I m in a bit of a rush getting ready for the barbecue .
Trevor: Er, I forgot to tell you that I invited two more people .
Laura: (1)................ are you telling me now (2)................ ? I ve bought all the food. I just hope there s enough. Anyway, who are these people? (3)........ ......... are they (4)...........?
Trevor: They re friends of Harriet s. They re very nice people. And after all, (5)............... are parties (6) ...............? To meet new people .
Laura: It isn t a party, it s a barbecue. (7)............... .. s the weather going to be (8) .................?
Trevor: The forecast said it s going to be perfect. Warm and dry .
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