Who + Auxiliary

[Samantha Garstin]

Good Morning All

Please could you help me. Why when using the past simple and who is it not always necessary to use an Auxiliary verb ? eg-

Who paid the bill ?
Who took it ?
Who made it ?

but why also can you say-
Who had it ?
Who have you given it to ?


I don't know how to explain this exception to my students. Is there a rule ? It is because it is interrogative ?
I would be gratefully for any advice you could give me.

Many Thanks
Samantha

[marisha35]

when we put question to subject in the sentences we don't need auxiliary verbs. eg; Ann phones Nick, Ann-- who phones? but Nick--- who does Ann phone? Nick is object so we need auxiliary verb

[Verona_82]

I'm not an English teacher, I'm a Russian student, but I can explain the rule to you.

There are subject and object questions. When the question word is the object of a question, you use normal question word order.
Who did you call last night?

When the question word is the subject of a question, you do not need an auxiliary verb with the past simple.
Who called you last night?

The rule applies to Present Simple as well.

[bhaisahab]

I'm not an English teacher, I'm a Russian student, but I can explain the rule to you.

There are subject and object questions. When the question word is the object of a question, you use normal question word order.
Who did you call last night?

When the question word is the subject of a question, you do not need an auxiliary verb with the past simple.
Who called you last night?

The rule applies to Present Simple as well.

Yes, that's right. Also, in "Who had it?", "had" is the main verb, not an auxiliary.

[Samantha Garstin]

Morning Raymott

Ahhh I see the error I have made. I think I have confused myself somewhat. Thank you so much for your explanation. It is actually very simple when you think about it. I am just starting my TEFL and I get very overwhelmed with all the tenses and what goes with them.

Kind Regards
Samantha

[Raymott]

Morning Raymott

Ahhh I see the error I have made. I think I have confused myself somewhat. Thank you so much for your explanation. It is actually very simple when you think about it. I am just starting my TEFL and I get very overwhelmed with all the tenses and what goes with them.

Kind Regards
Samantha

Oh, I deleted my post just after I posted it because it was bit impatient, and because I noted that marisha35 had explained it.
I'm glad you got something out of it though!

[Samantha Garstin]

I wondered where it went ? I thought I was going mad and somehow I deleted it. No not impatient, just direct ! hehehe Many Thanks again

[philo2009]

Don't forget, though, that auxiliaries are possible even with 'who' as subject where particular emphasis is intended, e.g.

A: Was it Simon that called?
B: No...
A: Was it Peter, then?
B: No...
A: So who did call?

[mara_ce]

Good Morning All

Please could you help me. Why when using the past simple and who is it not always necessary to use an Auxiliary verb ? eg-

Who paid the bill ?
Who took it ?
Who made it ?

but why also can you say-
Who had it ?
Who have you given it to ? In this sentence "who" is the object and "you" the subject.


I don't know how to explain this exception to my students. Is there a rule ? It is because it is interrogative ?
I would be gratefully for any advice you could give me.

Many Thanks
Samantha

“Who” is the subject in most of your sentences, so you don´t need an auxiliary.

e.g. Somebody saw John.
Who saw John?
Ann. (Ann saw him.)

“who” is the subject
“John” is the object

Ann saw somebody.
Who did Ann see?
John. (She saw John.)

“who” is the object
“Ann” is the subject

[Barb_D]

Moderator's note: I've merged the threads and deleted the posts that become superfluous as a result of the merge.