The following rules apply to almost all written questions.

Auxiliary verb before subject

In a question the auxiliary verb normally comes before the subject.

During conversation it is common to make a statement and then ask for confirmation. For example, in the sentence ‘It is very hot, isn’t it?’ we make a statement and then ask for confirmation. Here the later part (isn’t it?) is called a question tag.

Verbs in the simple present and simple past tense do not consist of auxiliary verbs. Their negatives are made by the addition of the anomalous finites do not, does not or did not before the main verb.

The present continuous tense indicates the continuity of an action which is going on at the present moment.

Form: Subject + is/are/am + -ing form of the verb.

Simple present

The simple present tense has the following structure:

Subject + present tense forms of the verb (bare infinitive)

The sun rises in the east.
The cow eats grass.