Types of questions in English. Alternative Sales Questions - Choice Without Choice

There are five types of interrogative sentences in English: disjunctive, general, special and alternative questions, as well as questions to the subject. All these species are almost equally complex and occur with approximately the same frequency. The alternative question is neither the most difficult nor the easiest, but it certainly can rightfully be called indispensable. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.

General definition

An alternative question is a question that contains a certain choice that is offered to the respondent. By asking such a question, the speaker seems to imply that the listener will have to make his own decision by choosing one of the options offered to him.

A characteristic distinguishing feature of such questions is the presence of the union "or" - "or". Grammatically, examples of alternative questions differ little from other types of questions: they also use an auxiliary verb that goes to the beginning of the sentence and comes before the subject.

How to ask such a question?

Easier than it might seem at first glance. It is best to consider the use of alternative questions in English with examples. For example, here is a fairly simple sentence:

Yesterday my boyfriend bought a new blue car. My boyfriend bought a new blue car yesterday.

And here is a list of alternative questions that can be asked to this proposal:

Question	Translation
Did your boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday or the day before yesterday?	Did your boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday or the day before?
Did your boyfriend buy a new blue or red car yesterday?	Did your boyfriend buy a new blue or red car?
Did your boyfriend buy an old or a new blue car yesterday?	Did your boyfriend buy a new or old blue car yesterday?
Did your boyfriend buy or borrow a new blue car?	Did your boyfriend buy or borrow a new blue car yesterday?
Did your boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday, or your brother did?	Did your brother or boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday?
Did your boyfriend buy a new blue car or bicycle yesterday?	Did your boyfriend buy a new car or blue bike yesterday?
Did your or your sister "s boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday?	Did your boyfriend or your sister's boyfriend buy a new blue car yesterday?

As the examples show, all alternative questions contain several answers, from which the speaker offers his interlocutor to choose. To formulate such a question, it is necessary to imagine the possible options and voice them to the interlocutor through the already mentioned earlier "or".

Logically, a multiple-choice question cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". The answer should be complete, most often a full sentence. For example, to this question:

Did he arrive a week or two ago? - Did he come a week or two ago?

Maybe the following answer:

He arrived two weeks ago. - He arrived two weeks ago.

Sometimes, to avoid tautology, the word "one" is used. For example, in response to this alternative question:

Would you like to put on the black or the gray suit? - Would you rather wear a black or gray suit?

You can answer like this:

I think, I "ll better choose the black one. - I think I'll most likely choose black.

In colloquial speech, short, monosyllabic answers are also acceptable. For example, to such a household question as:

Would you like some tea or coffee? - Would you like to have some tea or coffee?

You can answer briefly:

A cup of coffee, please. - I'd like a cup of coffee.

Factors such as the social status of the interlocutor, relations with him, as well as the formality or informality of the situation in general, become decisive in the choice between a complete and incomplete answer.

Alternative questions with a question word

An interrogative word may well be used when using this type of question. To understand how this works, it is better to use a simple sentence again, on the example of which you can ask ordinary alternative questions, which can then be easily restructured into questions with a question word. Here is a simple suggestion:

We will go to Spain by car. We will go to Spain by car.

And here's how you can put an alternative question to it:

As the examples of questions with a question word show, alternative questions of this type look and are formed in the same way as special ones, with the only difference that they use a colon and the union "or".

Questions to the subject

They have already been used as examples in this article, but have not been dealt with separately. To ask a question to the subject, it is necessary to formulate a special question for the first subject, and then, separated by a comma, write down the similarity of the second half of the separating question for the second subject. In theory it seems complicated, but in practice it looks quite concise and simple:

Where are these questions used?

Examples of alternative questions, of course, can be found not only on the pages of English textbooks. If that were the case, there would be no point in studying them. In fact, these questions are used in almost all styles of speaking and writing.

In addition, alternative questions are a manipulative tool, a favorite technique of marketers and merchants who are well trained to inspire buyers to want to buy what they never need in their lives. It works as follows: by giving the listener options for an answer, the speaker limits the range of possible actions with them. For example:

Alright, sir, would you prefer us to box it or you will do it buy yourself? - So, sir, would you prefer us to pack the goods, or would you do it yourself?

Perhaps the “sir” mentioned in this phrase had not yet decided to buy the goods, but was only thinking about it, inadvertently mentioning that, theoretically, he might like it. So, when you hear an alternative question from a service worker, you should be very careful.

An alternative question is one of the five main types of questions in the English language. In English it sounds like Alternative Question. Before studying this type, you should definitely go through General Questions and Special Questions. Alternative questions almost exactly repeat their structure, with only a small addition. I remind you that you can briefly familiarize yourself with all five types in the article Types of Questions in English. And now, consider the features of the alternative question. Alternative Question in English

What are Alternative Questions and what are they for?

Very often we are forced to make a choice and offer it to others. As you already understood from the name, alternative questions in English perform exactly this function. That is, alternative questions are questions that offer to make a choice from two or more objects, qualities, persons, actions, etc.

In alternative questions, there is always the union "or" (or), which connects the proposed options. Another feature is the presence of the answer in the question itself. The respondent only needs to choose one of the options provided. Unambiguous short answers "yes" and "no" in such questions are unacceptable in meaning. An alternative question can be asked to any member of the sentence. Consider the following examples:

Do you like apples or pears? − Do you like apples or pears?
Is she from USA or Canada? − Is she from the USA or from Canada?
Is this your room or mine? Is this your room or mine?

Alternative questions have a well-established intonation coloring. In the first part of the question, before the union or, the intonation rises, after the union it falls.
Alternative Question Schema

Rules for Forming Alternative Questions

This type of question, like others (with the exception of a special question to the subject and its definition), is characterized by the presence of inversion, that is, a change in the order of words in the sentence. The first place can be an auxiliary or modal verb as in a general question, or an interrogative word as in a special question. The main thing is the presence of the union or, with the help of which a choice of various options is provided.

Now I will demonstrate to you how the alternative question is built on the principle of general questions. We compose two general questions connected by the union or (or):

Are they swimming or are they jumping? Do they swim or jump?
Does he love Helen or does he love Britney? Does he love Elena or Britney?

Now we cut off the second repetitive part of the question and leave only the “alternative” from it. We get:

Are they swimming or jumping? Do they swim or jump?
Does he love Helen or Britney? Does he love Elena or Britney?

As you can see, an alternative question in English is built on the basis of general questions, but connects several alternative options, one of which serves as a possible answer. The second part of the alternative question can in some cases be replaced by the negative particle not. Examples:

Will they help us or not? - Will you help me or not?
Is he thinking about it or not? Does he think about it or not?
Did they believe us or not? Did they believe us or not?

Answers to an alternative question in English are always complete. Brief "yes" or "no" answers are logically unacceptable. Examples:

Does he like the Queen or the King? — He likes the King. (Does he like the queen or the king? - He likes the king.)
What are you going to do: go to the cinema or watch TV? - I "m going to go to the cinema. (What are you going to do: go to the cinema or watch TV? - I'm going to go to the cinema.)
Is your book on the table or on the window? — It is on the table. (Is your book on the table or on the window? - It's on the table.)

If an alternative question is asked to the subject, then in the second part there must also be an auxiliary or modal verb that will precede the second subject. The answer to an alternative question to the subject, as a rule, has a short form.

Does your brother love me or do you? — My brother does. (Does your brother love me or do you? - My brother.)
Must he or must his sister help me? — His sister must. (Should he or his sister help me? - His sister should.)
Can your friend or can you dance break? — I can. (Can your friend or you break dance? - I can.)

Alternative questions may consist of a special question followed by homogeneous members of the sentence. In this case, they begin with a question word. Examples:

When will they read my application: tomorrow or today? - They "ll do it today. (When will they read my statement: tomorrow or today? - They will read it today.)
Why do you buy that: because of me or her? — I buy it because of you. (Why are you buying this: because of me or because of her? - I buy it because of you.)
How did we do our work: slow or fast? — You did it fast. (How did we do our job: slowly or quickly? - You did it quickly.)

The topic Alternative Questions turned out to be not very difficult, due to the fact that you already know a lot. Do not be too lazy to make a couple of dozen alternative questions to consolidate the material. Good luck in learning English!

Watch the following video lessons on the topic: “Alternative questions in English”.

This is not only one of the many ways to build a sentence in Russian. It is also a powerful psychological tool, widely used in practice in sales, the media, and simply when trying to convince someone of something, to achieve the desired reaction from the interlocutor. In order not only not to fall for the "hook" of alternative questions, but also to use them yourself, you must first understand what they are.

General definition

The name "alternative question" speaks for itself. Obviously, this is a question that involves choosing between some two (or more) alternatives. That is, the speaker, as it were, allows the listener to choose from what he himself offers, without giving the opportunity for his own version. Because of this, the listener involuntarily feels pressure and even chooses an option that he does not like, just because the alternative is even worse.

How to ask an alternative question?

Here are a few principles and patterns that will allow you to ask the question correctly and achieve the desired reaction of the interlocutor:

First of all, an alternative question is not an ultimatum. You can't put it like this: "Either you stop behaving like that, or I'm leaving!" A person naturally reacts to an ultimatum in one of two ways: either he is looking for a way to get around it, or he acts in spite of the questioner. An alternative question, unlike an ultimatum, does not plunge the respondent into stress, but, on the contrary, preserves a sense of comfort zone around him: “Would you prefer that I leave, or should we reconsider this model of behavior together”?
A question containing an alternative is always an extremely polite remark. The slightest rudeness, and the interlocutor will feel the catch. Simply put, instead of "What do you want?" should be asking "Which of these options would you prefer?" instead of "You have to choose!" "If I had to choose..."
If you use an alternative question in communication with people you know, in an informal or not very formal setting, hardly anyone will be against it. However, if you try to abuse the opportunity to limit the listener in options, using this question as a weighty argument, you will most likely have to hear an accusation of sophistry.

Following these three principles, you can use the alternative question more than successfully.

Application in the art of selling

The market is the best place to look for alternative question examples. Most often, buyers come across, for example, such "hooks":

Would you prefer to place an order now or over the phone? - ignoring the possible desire not to place an order at all.
How will it be easier to draw up a contract - on your own or with the help of our specialists? - without giving a choice not to draw up a contract at all.
Will you buy the product now at a discount, or will you check back later and pay full price? - deciding in advance for the respondent that he will certainly buy the goods.

Sometimes alternative questions help insecure clients, but more often they lead them away from a solution that is really good for them. However, buyers can turn this trick to their advantage if they are careful and attentive.

Application in psychology

For psychologists, alternative questions help much more than others. And if in the past, helping insecure clients was only a secondary goal, in psychology it becomes the main one. For example:

Would you rather talk about it yourself or answer my questions? - leaving no choice not to tell at all.
Do you want to talk about it now or later? Excluding the possibility of not speaking at all.
Would you like to continue talking about this topic now or return to it later? - not taking into account the possible desire to leave the topic forever.

Every day we make a choice, sometimes petty, and sometimes vital. Someone asks advice from others, someone thinks for himself, mentally sets a task and makes a decision. Having mastered all the subtleties and facets of an alternative question, you can easily understand the interlocutor, answer him, and possibly help.

The name itself predicts that the phrase will sound like a choice. What? Almost every member of the sentence can find a pair or opposition. But how to do it competently and logically, that is the question.

Building

The main distinguishing feature of the alternative question is "or" - union, Russian-sounding "or". The principle of the alternative question in English, which is the basis, originates from the general one, which has the reverse word order. Although the "soul" is very close to the special, after all, the alternative question is given to a specific member.

Auxiliary ch. (modal) + subject + V (+ or + choice) + object (+ or + choice) + circumstance (+ or + choice)?

It can be seen from the diagram that the alternative can be substituted for any member of the sentence. Please note that this type starts with an auxiliary or modal verb, which vary depending on the time used in the sentence. Let's see how these interrogative sentence helpers cooperate with other members.

Does he play football or tennis? Does he play football or tennis?

Did you sleep or go to Tom's party yesterday? Did you sleep last night or did you go to Tom's party?

Will they visit their granny or their friend next Christmas? Will they go to grandma's next Christmas or to a friend's?

Was you witting a composition or watching TV? Did you write an essay or watch TV?

There are cases where the alternative question begins from a special word: which, where, whose etc. (a more detailed classification can be found in the article “Interrogative Words”), but if there is a choice, then we safely attribute it to this category. I would like to draw attention to the fact: in the phrases " What you love, what you prefer, what you want" - which translates to "which", as there is a limited choice.

Where did you live last year: In Minsk or in Moscow? — Where did you live last year: in Minsk or Moscow?

Which do you like: swimming or walking? What do you like: swimming or walking?

How to offer the right choice?

1. Alternative to the subject. If we consider other sentences of this type, we will see that they consist of two parts. This is most clearly seen in this case: the auxiliary verb is placed before each subject, and the remaining members of the sentence should not be duplicated, and so everything is clear.

Did you buy a car or did your father? Did you buy the car, or did your dad?

Will you go to the party or will your wife? Are you going to the party or your wife?

2. Alternative to predicate, object and circumstance much easier. Here you will need to substitute “or” and a choice for the word that you want to compare, clarify in order to get the information you need, and we will save everything else. Let's take one suggestion:

She bought a railway ticket 2 weeks ago. She bought a train ticket two weeks ago.

Did she buy or find a railway ticket 2 weeks ago? Did she buy or find a train ticket two weeks ago?

Did she buy a railway or airplane ticket 2 weeks ago? Did she buy a train or plane ticket two weeks ago?

Did she buy a railway ticket 2 weeks ago or yesterday? Did she buy a train ticket two weeks ago or yesterday?

How to answer alternative questions correctly?

Answering with a simple Yes / No will not work. There is a clarification of information, and therefore the answer should be exhaustive. Although in colloquial speech short forms are allowed in relation to the subject, object and circumstance. But the predicate requires a detailed answer.

Are you a pupil or a student? - I am a student (a student). Are you a pupil or a student?

Did you choose this sweater, or did your friend? - My friend chose this sweater (my friend). Did you choose this sweater or your friend?

Is he going by bus or flying? — He is flying. Does he ride the bus or fly?

And finally, a little phonetics. Yes Yes. In order for your listener to focus on the alternative, you need to pronounce the question correctly. In the first part, the voice rises, the intonation goes up, or is a peak, and falls on the choice.

Well! Alternative question in English you will soon be cracking like nuts. Here are just a few things to keep in mind. To further improve and consolidate knowledge, you can read the article "Table of Questions in English".

Good afternoon dear friends. Yulia Marzan and the School of Effective Sales blog are with you. Let's continue talking about the questions that are used in sales to get the client's consent to the purchase. Today we will talk about alternative questions.

suggest several (usually two) possible options for the client's response, each of which suits the seller. There are two proposals in such questions, there is no provision for refusal in them.

Alternative questions can be successfully applied to anyone. For example, using alternative questions on a neutral topic, you can “talk” the interlocutor, understand his areas of interest, unobtrusively identify needs, and direct the client’s thoughts to choosing alternatives.

Examples of alternative questions

“Is it more interesting for you to go to Egypt or to Turkey?”
“Will you draw up the contract yourself or let our specialists do it?”
“Is it convenient for you to deliver in the morning or in the evening?”
“Do you choose a top-loading or front-loading washing machine?”
“Would it be convenient for you if we set up a meeting on Wednesday or Friday?”
“Is it convenient for you to pick up the goods yourself or will you use the delivery service?”

By asking alternative questions, the salesperson can focus the customer's attention on two or more options. This simplifies decision making and facilitates the selection process.

When are alternative questions used?

when summing up intermediate and final results;
when discussing plans for further work;
to encourage indecisive clients to make a decision;
in order to reassure the client and let him choose the best option for further action.

When formulating alternative questions, it is very important to offer the client options that are really acceptable to him. Otherwise, a seemingly harmless alternative question may be mistaken for manipulation by the client.

The fact is that with the help of an alternative question, the client is programmed in a certain way for the selection procedure, closes on this process and rarely realizes whether he needs to make a choice at all. Even quite psychologically literate customers are not always aware of the veiled manipulation at the time of the sale.

For example, a girl is trying on a blouse. Seller: "Which blouse do you like better: blue or red?" Client (not yet sure if she even needs a blouse): "Red."

Of course, if the client is not at all interested in your product, no amount of manipulation will help you. And if the client understands the difference between the products offered, then this is not manipulation at all, but only a way to slightly push the client to.