Pronominal is adjective form of word pronoun, meaning relating to pronoun. Most things containing pronoun can be described by adjective pronominal – and questions are no exception as some of them are introduced (or started) by pronouns.
What is pronominal question?
A pronominal question is a direct or indirect question starting with an interrogative pronoun.
Why is it called pronominal question? As mentioned in the opening paragraph, we can use the term pronominal with most things containing pronoun, and here the question is introduced by a pronoun.
Here are few examples of pronominal questions, with the interrogative pronoun underlined:
1. Who will be the next volunteer?
2. No one knows what he is up to this weekend. [Indirect question]
3. We can watch a movie or go out for dinner. Which do you prefer?
4. Whom are you going to the movie with? [Alternatively, With whom are you going to the movie?]
5. Whose is this coat?
These though are not pronominal questions because when, where, why, and how are adverbs – interrogative adverbs to be specific – and not pronouns.
9. When does the meeting start?
10. Where is the nearest pharmacy?
11. I don’t understand why they cancelled the event. [Indirect question]
12. I would like to know how some grow their YouTube channel so fast. [Indirect question]
