How to Ask the Right Questions
Good communication is not just about the proper presentation of ideas. Good communication also means developing the ability to ask the right questions.
How can you know what are the right questions? Simple. Learn the following method.
Essentially there are two sets of questions that you should think about.
- Set one: A set of questions that relate to people, things and ideas. (ie the subjects and objects of sentences).
- Set two: A set of questions that relate to verbs, (verbs are words denoting actions, or states).
Set one questions are Adjective questions. Set two questions are Adverb questions.
Have a look at the simple sentence in this diagram. The men ate the cakes
The set one questions are:
- Which ones?
- What kind?
- Whose?
- How many?
These questions apply to subjects and objects of sentences.
On the other hand, set two questions relate to the verbs of sentences. The set two questions (Adverb questions are):
- Where?
- How?
- When?
- Why?
- For what purpose?
- For what causes?
Learn these two lists of questions. Whenever you listen or read something, find the "doer" of the sentence and apply the set one questions.
Then find the verb, or action, of the sentence and apply the set two questions.
Look at this easy example: The bird is singing in the tree.
- Which bird?
- What kind of bird?
- How many birds?
- Whose bird?
The bird is singing in the tree.
- Where is it singing?
- How is it singing?
- When is it singing
- Why is it singing?
- For what purpose is it singing?
- What caused it to sing?
The bird is singing in the tree.
- Which tree?
- What kind of tree?
- How many trees?
- Whose tree?
This simple system of asking questions is easy. Learn it, apply it and you will get great results.
16 Ways You Can Use Questions (blog)
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Two-set Question Method
In business communication, the Two-set Question Method is a simple method. It splits every question into two clear groups, one for nouns and one for verbs. Each group holds a fixed list of core questions. Users apply the lists to test each sentence, uncover gaps and sharpen meaning.
CG4D Definition
Context: Business communication
Genus: Method
- Splits questions into two predefined sets: adjective questions and adverb questions
- Aligns each set with sentence parts: nouns for set one, verbs for set two
- Uses fixed core lists (four adjective queries, six adverb queries) that must stay intact
- Serves to test and improve the clarity, accuracy and completeness of spoken or written statements
Article Summary
Good talk grows from good questions. When you ask the right questions-who, what, which, where, why and how-you break each sentence into parts, spot gaps and guide the talk. This two-list method lifts listening, sharpens writing and boosts trust in every chat.