interrogative

American  

[in-tuh-rog-uh-tiv] / ˌɪn təˈrɒg ə tɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or conveying a question.

2. Grammar. forming, constituting, or used in or to form a question.

   an interrogative pronoun, suffix, particle, or sentence.

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noun

1. Grammar. an interrogative word, element, or construction, as who? and what?

interrogative British  

/ ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətɪv /

adjective

1. asking or having the nature of a question

2. denoting a form or construction used in asking a question

3. denoting or belonging to a class of words, such as which and whom, that are determiners, adjectives, or pronouns and serve to question which individual referent or referents are intended Compare demonstrative relative

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noun

1. an interrogative word, phrase, sentence, or construction

2. a question mark

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uninterrogatively
  adverb
• interrogatively
  adverb
• uninterrogative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of interrogative

From the Late Latin word interrogātīvus, dating back to 1510–20. See interrogate, -ive

Explanation

Interrogative describes something questioning or that asks a question — like the interrogative tone of a cop grilling a suspect. It’s likely you first met the word interrogative in elementary school along with its pals — declaratory, exclamatory, and imperative. It can be an adjective or noun, but it always has to do with questions or being questioning. An interrogative sentence is one like "What time is it?" If your voice goes up at the end of a sentence because you're seeking information, your tone is interrogative. If you keep asking question after question, you've being extremely interrogative.

Example Sentences

Interrogative self-talk, he adds, would be asking themselves what were the sacrifices it took for them to be prepared to make an upcoming play.

From Washington Times • Aug. 22, 2015

The Interrogative what refers to the genus of Existence, as in the question 'What is Man?' not to the word Prayer, which is the subject of the query.

From Elements of Gaelic Grammar by Stewart, Alexander

He taught men to think and speak; he began the study of grammar by dividing sentences into four kinds, Optative, Interrogative, Indicative, Imperative.

From Euripedes and His Age by Murray, Gilbert

Interrogative pronouns, 72. declension of, 73. in indirect questions, 85. syntax of, 283.

From An English Grammar by Sewell, James Witt

Interrogative pronouns must therefore be explained as direct substitutes for such other terms as one might use in stead of them.

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold