漢語及其方言中表示極性問的語法形式至少有十一種，它們分為兩大基本類型：真性極性問形式與疑問語氣成分。疑問語氣成分常兼任其他語氣功能，常與其他問題形式套疊，但不能進入嵌入深的小句。真性極性問形式則相反，一般不兼任其他語氣功能，不與其他問題形式套疊，但可以進入嵌入深的小句。在漢語極性問的語法化歷史中，兩種進程交替地起著重大的作用：一是原來的語氣成分下降為疑問形式，二是原來內嵌的極性問形式上升到獨立小句層次，成為疑問形式。

At least 11 polar-question forms can be distinguished in Chinese dialects, and these are divided into two basic types: real polar-question forms (RPQ), and interrogative mood elements (IME). IME are often employed for other mood functions, used over or under other question forms, but are not generally found in embedding clauses. RPQ have the opposite effect. They are neither used for other mood functions nor over or under other question forms, but they can be used in embedding clauses freely. Two kinds of processes have worked alternately in the history of grammaticalization in Chinese polar questions: falling from mood elements to question forms, and raising from embedded polar forms to forms used in independent clauses.