Who What When Where Why Questions

These five simple words – who, what, when, where, and why – are some of the most essential and versatile questions that exist. As a journalist, teacher, attorney, or anyone else who needs to ask questions and gather information, you’ll likely find these five little words coming in handy.

The "who" questions are all about seeking out who is involved in a situation. You might use "who" to ask questions like, "Who was at the meeting?" or "Who wrote the report?" You can also use "who" when you want to learn more about a person, such as "Who is the CEO of this company?"

The "what" questions are designed to find out more information about an object, event, or action. "What happened?" or "What kind of car was it?" are both examples of questions you can use "what" for.

The "when" questions are used to discover the time when something occurred or is set to occur. Questions like "When did the accident take place?" or "When is the meeting scheduled for?" are great examples of questions that can be answered with "when."

The "where" questions are related to the location of a certain object, event, or action. "Where did the accident happen?" and "Where is the nearest bank?" are two examples of questions to which "where" can provide the answer.

Finally, the "why" questions are used to uncover the motives or reasons behind a situation or event. "Why were you late?" or "Why did you choose this job?" are excellent examples of questions to which the word "why" applies.

By learning how to use the five basic questions – who, what, when, where, and why – you can get the information you need to make informed decisions. Whether you are a journalist asking probing questions or a teacher inquiring about a student’s progress, you’ll find that these five words come in handy.