Question format

Question

¿ Cual ofrecerá reforma atención sanitaria?

Guys, I'm having trouble again with question formats. So, in a question the verb goes before the subject? Is the above sentence correct, then?

I thought ¿Cual reforma ofrecera atención sanitaria? was correct at first.

Answer 1

You are asking about information questions? Information questions are questions that start with words such as who/what/why/where/which, etc.

The general word order for information questions is: Question word or phrase + verb + subject. In your example, you have a questions phrase - "cuál reforma". Those 2 words cannot be split (just as they would not be split in English). Therefore you were correct the first time: "¿Cuál reforma ofrecerá atención sanitaria?"

Question phrases tend to involve words such as "Cuál(es) or cuánto(s)". Examples: How many dogs do you see? - "¿cuántos perros ves (tú)?". Which books do you prefer to read? - ¿Cuáles libros prefieres leer (tú)?" Never split the words in a question phrase!

Buena pregunta!

• Excellent post. Thank you very much! - rooky Nov 7, 2009
• I'm so glad that this cleared it up for you. Buenas noches! - mountaingirl Nov 7, 2009

Answer 2

That doesn't answer my question at all.

In English you can ask "You saw how many dogs?" as a question by using intonation, or ask "How many dogs did you see?" by using a "question word". Spanish is the same.

Answer 3

In a question it would be cuál, but there is at least as much freedom for word order in Spanish as in English.

Answer 4

That doesn't answer my question at all.

• Which answer did not answer your question. Have a look at how you can use block quotes to make it clear. - Janice Nov 8, 2009

Answer 5

Rooky, which was the English version of this question?

Answer 6

Rooky:

A very similar question was asked only 6 days ago. See the answer that I gave at that time. I think it is pretty complete.

See the answer by clicking here ----> Asking Questions.

Is this the question, in English, that you are trying to translate? ----> "What will offer health care reform?

I don't think your question is put together the way it should be. It seems to be missing some definite articles

After reading over these replies, try again with your own new attempt and we can have a second look at it.

Buena suerte/Good luck

Recuerdos/Regards,

Moe.