Intro toInterrogative Clauses

Peter Mangiaracina

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Peter Mangiaracina

★ The Problem★ A Note About Clauses★ Two Types of Clauses★ The Structure of a Question★ The Structure of a Clause / Sentence★ The Structure of an Interrogative Clause★ Interrogatives with “If”★ Interrogative Clauses in Questions.★ Common Introductory Main Clauses★ Conclusion

Introduction

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Peter Mangiaracina

• Let’s clear up a problem I often hear.

• Question: What time does the store open?Answer: I’m sorry. I don’t know what time does the store open. (Incorrect) I’m sorry. I don’t know what time the store opens. (Correct)

• The second answer is correct because it is an interrogative clause, not a question.

*See my presentations on Basic English Structure and Phrases, Clauses and Sentences for more information

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The Problem

Peter Mangiaracina

• Clauses make up sentences.

• Every clause must have a subject and a conjugated verb, and frequently an object. It usually takes this form:

A Note about Clauses

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Subject Verb (Object)

*See my presentations on Basic English Structure and Phrases, Clauses and Sentences for more information

Peter Mangiaracina

Two Types of Clauses• There are main clauses and subordinate clauses.

• A main clause can stand alone as a sentenceExample: The student comes to class.

• A subordinate clause must be attached to a main clause or it makes no senseExample: When the student comes to class…

• An interrogative clause is a subordinate clause. It begins with a question word or “if” and must be attached to a main clause.Example: When the student comes to class, he brings his book…or… The student brings his book when he comes to class.

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Peter Mangiaracina

Question• A question has a specific structure which usually follows

this formula:

Question Word Auxiliary Subject Verb

What kind of book did Mr. Mishima buy?

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Auxiliary Subject Verb (Object)

Did Mr. Mishima buy a book?

Peter Mangiaracina

Interrogative Clause• An interrogative clause is not a question. It follows the

rules for a clause:

Subject Verb (Object)

• With the addition of a question word (or if) and any other components that go with it:

Subject VerbQuestion Word

Mr. Mishima bought a book

what kind of bookMr. Mishima bought

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Peter Mangiaracina

Interrogatives with If

• If a yes/no question is asked, there is no question word. The interrogative clause will begin with “if.”

• Did Mark go to the meeting last Friday?I don’t know if he went last Friday.

• Will Simon sing with Garfunkel again?I have no idea if Simon will sing with Garfunkel again.

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Peter Mangiaracina

Interrogative Clauses in Questions• A question can contain several clauses

• You can only have one question structure (QW + AUX + SUB + VERB)

• All other clauses in a question must take the SUB + VERB form.

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Auxiliary Subject Verb Subject VerbQuestion Word

what kind of bookMr. Mishimabought?Do you know

QUESTION INTERROGATIVE CLAUSE

Peter Mangiaracina

Introductory Main Clauses

• Do you know…/ I (don’t) know…Do you know why Harry went out with Sally?

• I wonder…I wonder if the Yankees will win the world series next year.

• I have no idea…Hey! Don’t ask me. I have no idea what kind of phone your sister bought.

• I’m (not) sure…I’m not sure when the stores open.

• Guess… (when you want to surprise someone with (usually good) newsGuess who’s coming to dinner?

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• These common main clauses will frequently signal an interrogative clause

Peter Mangiaracina

ConclusionWatch your syntax when using interrogative clauses.

Clauses are the building blocks of sentences.

Clauses contain a subject and conjugated verb.

There are main clauses and subordinate clauses.

Interrogative clauses are subordinate clauses; they must be attached to a main clause.

Interrogative clauses start with a question word or “if” followed by a subject and a conjugated verb.

There are several common introductory main clauses that signal interrogative clauses.

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