回声问句echo questions指听话人没有听明白说话人的话，因而提出的问句。由于问句中重复说话人的全部或部分词语，就像回声似的，因此叫作回声问句。回声问句又分为二种：重复性回声问句Recapitulatory echo questions和解释性回声问句Explicatory echo questions。
1 重复性回声问句即简单重复说话人的全部或部分陈述，读升调，希望说话人予以证实。例如：
A: I didn't like that meal. B: You didn't LIKE it ?
A: The Browns are emigrating. B: Emigrating?
A: Switch the light off, please. B: Switch the LIGHT OFF?
也可以是wh-问句或yes-no问句：
A: It cost five dollars. B: HOW much did it cost?
A: He's a dermatologist. B: WHAT is he?
A: We're leaving him here. B: WHAT are you doing with him?
A: I'll pay for it. B : You'll WHAT?
A: I saw Ted Dawson today. B: You saw WHO?
A: Have you borrowed my PEN? B: (Have I) borrowed your PEN?
A : Whatdo you think of the picture?
B: What do I THINK of it? [Did you say "what do I think of it?"]
A : Have you ever been to Valladolid?
B : (Have I ever been) WHERE?
A: How did you enjoy the carnival?
B: How did I enjoy WHAT?
2 解释性回声问句则要求说话人澄清陈述中表达不清楚的地方，而不是简单的重复说话人的话。例如：
A: Take a look at this! B: Take a look at WHAT?
A: He's missed the bus again. B: WHO's missed the bus?
A: Oh dear, I've lost the letter. B: WHICH letter have you lost?
以上三个例句中的this, he, the letter都是特指，即听说双方共识的，但实际听话人并不知其所指，因此要求说话人澄清。