How long ago was that?
How long is also used to ask questions about the length of something.
How long is this road?
How far is used in questions about distance and extent.
How far can we see?
How far is it to Montreal from here?
How far have you got with your homework?
You can combine how with an adjective when you are asking to what extent something has a particular quality or feature.
How big is your flat?
How old are your children?
How come you know so much about Linda?
what
5.33 What can be a pronoun or determiner, or it can be used in combination with if or for.
What is used as a pronoun to find out various kinds of specific information, for example details of an event, the meaning of a word or expression, or the reason for something.
What’s wrong with his mother?
What has happened to him?
What is obesity?
What keeps you hanging around here?
What can be used to ask someone’s opinion of something.
What do you think about the present political situation?
What is often used as the object of a preposition. The preposition usually goes at the end of the question.
What are you interested in?
What did he die of?
What do you want to talk about?
What is used as a determiner to find out the identity of something or to ask what kind of thing it is.
What books does she read?
What church did you say you attend?
What if goes in front of a clause in the declarative. It is used to ask what should be done if a particular difficulty occurs.
What if it’s really bad weather?
What if they didn’t want to part with it, what would you do then?
You put what at the beginning of a question and for at the end of it when you want to know the reason for something or the purpose of something. What are you staring for? means the same as Why are you staring? What is this handle for? means What is the purpose of this handle?
What are you going for?
What are those lights for?
‘I’ve bought you a present.’ – ‘What for?’
What can also be used in combination with about or of. This use is explained in paragraph 5.45.
whatever, wherever, and whoever
5.34 If you want a question to sound more emphatic, you can use whatever instead of what, wherever instead of where, or whoever instead of who.
Whatever is the matter?
Wherever did you get this?
Whoever heard of a bishop resigning?
Directing other people’s actions: the imperative
orders and instructions
5.35 When someone gives a very clear order or instruction, they usually use the imperative.
Discard any clothes you have not worn for more than a year.
Put that gun down.
Tell your mother as soon as possible.
Written instructions are given in the imperative.
Boil up a little water with washing up liquid in it.
Fry the chopped onion and pepper in the oil.
When they are followed by a second verb, the imperative forms of come and go are used with and, followed by the base form of the second verb, rather than a to-infinitive. The two actions seem to be separate, because of the and, but they are in fact very closely linked.
Come and see me whenever you need help.
Go get some sleep. (Am)
An order can be made more forceful by putting you in front of the verb.
You get in the car.
You shut up!
advice and warnings
5.36 You can use the imperative when you are giving advice or a warning.
Be sensible.
You be careful.
Often advice or a warning is expressed in a negative form. You form a negative imperative by putting don’t or do not in front of the base form of the verb.
Don’t be afraid of them.
Don’t be discouraged.
Do not approach this man under any circumstances.
You can also form a negative imperative by putting never in front of the base form of a verb.
Never make a social phone call after 9.30 p.m.
Another way of giving advice or a warning is to use one of the modals should or ought to in a declarative sentence.
You should get to know him better.
You shouldn’t keep eggs in the refrigerator.
This use is explained in detail in paragraph 5.213.
appeals
5.37 You use the imperative when you are trying to get someone to do something.
Come quickly… Come quickly… Hurry!