aux.verb do in -wh qs.

[Unregistered]

Dear teacher!

Why do we sometimes use the auxilliary verb "do" in present simple questions and not others? For example why is the aux.verb "do" not used in the first sentence but it is in the second?

1. How many students take the FCE exam every year?

2. How much does the exam cost?

Is it to do with subjects and objects of verbs?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[heidita]

Dear teacher!

Why do we sometimes use the auxilliary verb "do" in present simple questions and not others? For example why is the aux.verb "do" not used in the first sentence but it is in the second?

1. How many students take the FCE exam every year?

2. How much does the exam cost?

Is it to do with subjects and objects of verbs?

Many thanks for your help.

Hi, if the subject of the sentence is given, like in your first sentence, to do is not required. The subject of the second sentence is "exam" so to do is necessary.

cheers