Alternative question | Grammar

Аlternative question

Content

• Types of questions in English.
• What is an alternative question?
• How do I ask an alternative question?
• An alternative question with the verb to be.
• An alternative question with modal verbs.
• How to answer an alternative question?

Аlternative question

- these questions presuppose the right to choose, that is, an alternative. By asking it, we give the interlocutor two options to choose from. Its structure contains the union or.

Example : Is it orange or green?

How do I set an Аlternative question ?

• Link word
• Modal verb
• Auxiliary verb

Subject

Predicate

…

?

or

An alternative question with the verb to be.

• Present Simple — am, are, is.
• Past Simple — was, were.
• Future Simple — will be.

to be

?

or

to be

Subject

Example : 1. Is your cat grey? - Is your cat grey or black?   

Твой кот серый?   - Твой кот серый или черный?

2. Will it be hot? - Will it be hot or cold?

Будет жарко? - Будет жарко или холодно?

An alternative question with modal verbs.

In English, there are verbs that do not indicate an action (go, read, study), but show an attitude to these actions (must go, can read, should study): can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would и must.

modal verbs

…

…

Predicate

Subject

Example: 1. May I take your pen? - May I take your pen or your pencil?

Могу я взять твою ручку? - Могу я взять твою ручку или карандаш?

2. Can you open a window? - Can you open a window or a door?

Ты можешь открыть окно? - Ты можешь открыть окно или дверь?

How to answer an alternative question?

In the answer to an alternative question, you need to choose one of the suggested options. Therefore, we cannot answer "yes" or "no".

The answer is constructed in the same time as the question.

Аn example of an answer to an alternative question.

Will he work or have a rest on this weekend? He will have a rest on this weekend.

Он будет работать или отдыхать на этих выходных? Он будет отдыхать на этих выходных.

Do you like chocolate or ice-cream? I like ice-cream.

Тебе нравится шоколад или мороженое? Мне нравится мороженое.

Are they American or British? They are American?

Они американцы или британцы? Они американцы .

Is it your or my credit card? This is my credit card.

Это твоя или моя кредитная карта? Это моя кредитная карта.

Should she stay at home or go to the party? She should go to the party.

Следует ей остаться дома или пойти на вечеринку? Ей следует пойти на вечеринку.

Тhank you for your attention.