Common Chinese interrogative sentences include yes-no questions, wh-questions, and choice questions. Different types of questions have different structures and typical markers. Distinguishing between question types helps in expressing and understanding questions accurately.

Yes-no questions require an affirmative or negative answer and normally end with the particle 吗. A declarative sentence plus 吗 can directly become a yes-no question. In speech, rising intonation can indicate a question, and in casual speech the 吗 may be omitted, but structurally the 吗 is the most standard form.

Question words are used to ask about people, things, time, place, manner, reasons, etc. They are usually placed at the position of the missing information within the sentence and do not need to move to the front as in English. A sentence typically uses only one main question word.

Chinese question words are generally placed at the position in the sentence that corresponds to the information being asked. The common order is subject + (time/place) + predicate + question word + (others). Question words do not need to be moved to the front; additional elements can appear at the end depending on the focus of information.

Alternative questions connect two or more options with '还是' to let the other person choose among the options. Alternative questions usually do not add 吗. Each option can be a word, a phrase, or a full clause; the structure can be flexibly adjusted.

"A-not-A" is a commonly used casual, simple yes-no question, expressing a query about a state or action by repeating a verb or an adjective. This structure is common in casual conversations; in formal settings and writing, using 吗 is more common.

Which question words are used to choose within a range or refer to a specific item; common ones include '哪儿' (where), '哪个' (which one), '哪位' (which person). The word following '哪' is usually a measure word or noun, expressing a specific choice. The answers typically provide a definite item.

Question sentences can be augmented with added words to supply details, such as 'more specifically', 'approximately', 'in total', 'what happened', to sharpen the focus of the question. These expressions are often used with question words or with choice structures. Supplemental elements are usually placed before or after the question word or at the end of the sentence, depending on the information focus.

In spoken language, questions are often expressed with rising intonation, especially for yes-no and choice questions. In written language, a question mark is used to indicate a question. WH-questions and choice questions also use a question mark in writing and do not rely on '吗' to mark them.

In conversation, you can ask in a shortened form, such as using only a question word or option prompt. Elliptical questions rely on context and are suitable for familiar or known-topic situations. Writing and formal communication should keep the full structure.