Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Noun Clause Begun with question word
Noun Clause which begin with question word* are also called Embedded Questions.
*Question words: who, what, where, when, how, how many, why,
which, whom.
Where does she live?
- I don't know where she lives.
- I don't know where she lives.
Which road should I take?
- I wonder which road I should take.
- I wonder which road I should take.
When did they leave?
- Do you know when they left?
- Do you know when they left?
What did she say?
- Please tell me what she said.
Notice: Question word order is not used in a noun clause.
Incorrect : I know where does he live.
Correct : I know where he lives.
Noun Clause begin with yes/no question
Yes / no questions can be expressed as noun clauses, if /
whether are usually used to introduce the clause.
Examples:
- Are you coming to the party? Noun clause: I
don't know if you are coming to the party.
- Is it expensive? Noun clause: Please tell me whether it is
expensive.
- Have they lived there long? Noun clause: I'm not sure if they have
lived there long.
When if introduces a noun clause,
the expression or not frequently comes at the end of the clauses.
Example:
- I don't know if Eric is at home or not.
Whether has the same meaning as if. or
not can come immediately after whether, but it
can't come immediately after if.
Examples:
- I don't know whether Eric is at home or
not.(correct)
- I don't know whether or not Eric is at home.(correct)
- I don't know if or not Eric is at home.(Incorrect)
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