RSS

TOEFL Grammar Part 7: Noun Clauses and Embedded Questions

Noun Clause

Noun clause used as an object

he said something
S    V      O                 what did he said?

he said that he was sick


Noun Clause as a Subject

something is your bussiness
         S       V                               what is your bussiness?

whatever you do is your bussiness

someone is still in cafetaria
         S       V                                 who is in the cafetaria?

the subordinator may take  the "subject" or "object" position in a noun clause.


Note the usage of the following:

Henry loves Mary (S V O)                             Mary is the "object" of the sentence
Mary loves Jim (S V O)                                 Mary is the "subject" of the sentence
The person who(m) Lee loves is a secret        Relative clause (subordinator in obj. position)
The person who loves Tim is a secret             Relative clause (subordinator in obj. position)
whom(m) Henry loves is a secret                    Relative clause (subordinator in obj. position)
who loves Tim is a secret                               Relative clause (subordinator in obj. position)

Subordinators which are used in noun clauses:

that
what
who
whoever
whatever
whether

which
where
when
how
why
if

how much
how many
how long
how far
how often
whose
Remember to preserve word order in noun clauses:
I don't know who he is.
Whoever she is is not important.
Whatever is in the box is a mystery.
Can you tell me what he is doing?
She doesn't undestand why he is leaving.
I wonder how much that costs.
Do you know how long it will take?

Embedded Questions

Embedded questions are questions within another statement or question. They function as noun clauses and as such should generally follow statement, not question, order.
What time is it?
I know what time is it.
I know what time it is.
Where did she go?
I don't know where did she go.
I don't know where she went.
What does he do for a living?
I wonder what does he do.
I wonder what he does.
Who is she?
Can you tell me who is she?
Can you tell me who she is?

(question order)
(Incorrect)
(Statement order: S+ V)
(Question)
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
(Question)
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
(Question)
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
When using adjectives as complements, it is okay to use question order for embedded questions:
Who's hungry?
I wonder who is hungry.

(Question)
(Okay)
In some cases, depending on the focus of the sentence, question order may be used:
Who is the doctor?
I know who the doctor is.
Who is a doctor?

0 komentar:

Posting Komentar