Formation of Interrogative Sentences

When constructing interrogative sentences in Kannada, it is important to consider the placement of interrogative words. In general, Kannada interrogative words appear at the beginning of the sentence.

Common Interrogative Words in Kannada include:
1. ಯಾರು (Yaaru) – Who
2. ಏನು (Yenu) – What
3. ಎಲ್ಲಿ (Yelli) – Where
4. ಯಾವಾಗ (Yaavaaga) – When
5. ಯಾಕೆ (Yaake) – Why
6. ಹೇಗೆ (Hege) – How

Here are a few examples of interrogative sentences in Kannada:

1. ನೀವು ಯಾರು? (Neevu yaaru?) – Who are you?
2. ಇದು ಏನು? (Idu yenu?) – What is this?
3. ಅವರು ಎಲ್ಲಿ? (Avaru yelli?) – Where are they?
4. ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆ ಯಾವಾಗ? (Maarukatte yaavaaga?) – When is the market?
5. ಅವರು ಬರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಯಾಕೆ? (Avaru baruvudilla yaake?) – Why aren’t they coming?
6. ನೀವು ಇದನ್ನ ಹೇಗೆ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು? (Neevu idanna hege maadabahudu?) – How can you do this?

Interrogative Sentence Structure

A key aspect of mastering interrogative sentences in Kannada grammar is understanding the sentence structure. Generally, Kannada follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order, similar to other Dravidian languages.

In interrogative sentences, the Subject usually comes first, followed by the interrogative word, and the Verb appears at the end of the sentence. Observe the following example:

ನೀವು ಏನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ? (Neevu yenu maaduttiri?) – What are you doing?

S – ನೀವು (Neevu) – You
Interrogative Word – ಏನು (Yenu) – What
V – ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ (Maaduttiri) – Doing

Note that the word order may vary slightly based on the context of the sentence and the type of question being asked.

Intonation Patterns for Interrogative Sentences

In Kannada, the intonation pattern of a sentence plays a crucial role in distinguishing between declarative and interrogative sentences. Rising intonation at the end of a verbal phrase typically indicates an interrogative sentence. Intonation patterns not only add a sense of questioning to the sentence but also help to convey the speaker’s emotions.

Conclusion

Interrogative sentences in Kannada grammar involve specific placement of interrogative words, adherence to the particular Subject-Object-Verb sentence structure, and appropriate intonation patterns. By mastering these aspects, you can effectively communicate and gather information in the Kannada language.