Object clauses which begin with a question word
Question
Where does she live? What did he say? When do they arrive?
Object clause
(a) I don't know where she lives.
(b) I couldn't hear what he said.
(c) Do you know when they arrive?
In (a): where she lives is the object of the verb know. Do not use question order in an object clause. In an object clause, the subject precedes the verb.
Notice: does, did anddo are used in questions but not in object clauses.
Question S V
Who lives there? What happened? Who is at the door?
Object clause
S V
(d) I don't know who lives there.
(e) Please tell me what happened.
(f) I wonder who is at the door.
In (d) the word order is the same in both the question and the object clause because who is the subject in both.
Question Object clause
Who is she? (g) I don't know who she is.
Who are those men? (h) I don't know who those men are.
Whose house is that? (i) I wonder whose house that is.
In (g):she is the subject of the question, so it is placed in front of the verb be in the object clause.
Object clauses which begin with a question word often come after
a) I'd like to know... I don't know... I'm not sure... I don't understand... I've no idea... I don't remember... I wonder... He said/asked... etc.
I've no idea where she lives. I wonder why she is absent.
b) Do you know...? Do you understand...? Do you remember...? Could you tell me...? Will you ask him...? Has he told you...? Did she ask you...? etc.
Do you know what this word means? Could you tell me what time it is?
c) (Please) tell me... (please) ask her...
Please tell me where she lives. Ask her why she doesn't come.
I. Complete the sentences by changing the questions to object clauses.
eg Where did Paul go? I don't know where Paul went.
1. (How old is he?) I don't know... 2. (What was he talking about?) I wonder... 3. (Where do you live?) Please tell me... 4. (What
did he say?) I'd like to know... 5. (When are they coming?) Do you know...? 6. (How much does it cost?) I can't remember... 7. (Which one does he want?) Let's ask him... 8. (Who is coming to the party?) I don't know... 9. (Whose pen is this?) Do you know...? 10. (Who is the mayor ofNew York City?) I don't know... 11. (How old does a person have to be to get a driver's licence.) I need to find out... 12. (Why didn't Tom come to the party?) I don't know... 13. (How much does it cost to park here?) Do you know...? 14. (What qualifications do I need?) I want to know... 15. (Where can I change some money?) Could you tell me...? 16. (What time did he leave?) Do you know...? 17.(Where does Jack live?) Have you any idea...? 18. (Where is the post office?) Could you tell me...? 19. (Why did Tom leave?) I don't know... 20. (Where is he?) I don't know... 21. (Where did he go?) I don't know... 22. (Where does he live?) I don't remember... 23. (What did he say?) I didn't hear... 24. (How much does this book cost?) Could you please tell me...? 25. (What country is Anna from?) Do you know...? 26. (Why was Kate, absent yesterday?) Do you know...? 27. (How far is it to Chicago?) I wonder... 28. (When does the semester end?) Can you tell me...? 29. (What is Sue talking about?) I don't understand... 30. (When is he going to leave?) I wonder... 31. (Where can I buy a good radio?) Do you know...? 32. (Who is she?) I don't know... 33. (What time is flight 677 supposed to arrive?) Can you tell me...? 34. (Whose books are those?) Do you know...? 35. (Who did Sue invite?) I don't know... 36. (Who is that woman?) I wonder... 37. (How long has Ted been living here?) Do you know...? 38. (What is a clause?) Don't you know...? 39. (Who broke the window?) Do you know...? 40. (Who is in that room?) I don't know... 41. (Where can I catch the bus?) Could you please tell me...? 42. (Which team has won?) Bill asks... 43. (When are you coming back?) Bill wants to know... 44. (What platform does the train leave from?) He doesn't know... 45. (Why did you say that?) I don't understand.... 46. (Who am I?) He doesn't know... 47. (Whose car is that?) I've no idea... 48. (How old are their children?) I can't ever remember... 49. (Whose house is that?) I wonder.. 50. (What happened?) Tell me... 51. (Who(m) did you see at the party?) Tell me... 52. (Who(m) did Helen talk to?) Do you know...? 53. (Who lives in that apartment?) Do you know...? 54. (When are they leaving?) Ask her...
V.Make a question from the given sentence. The words in brackets should be the answer to the question you make. Use a question word (who, what, how,etc.) Then change the question to an object clause.
1. That man is (Mr Robertson). Question: Who is that man?
Object clause: I want to know who that man is.
2. George lives (in Los Angeles). Question:
Object clause: I want to know...
3. Tom will be here (next week). Question:
Object clause: Please tell me...
4. He is coming (because he wants to visit his friends). Question:
Object clause: Please tell me...
5. He'll be on flight (645, not flight 742). Question:
Object clause: Please tell me...
6. (Jim Hunter) is going to meet him at the airport. Question:
Object clause: I wonder...
7. Jim Hunter is (his roommate). Question:
Object clause: Please tell me...
8. It is (350 miles) to Denver from here. Question:
Object clause: I need to know...
9. Ann bought (a new dictionary). Question:
Object clause: Do you know...?
10. Jack was late to class (because he missed the bus). Question:
Object clause: The teacher wants to know...
11. That is (Ann's) pen. Question:
Object clause: Tom wants to know...
12. Alex saw (Mr Frost) at the meeting. Question:
Object clause: I don't know...
13. (Jack) saw Mrs Frost at the meeting. Question:
Object clause: I don't know...
14. Alice likes (this) book best, (not that one). Question:
Object clause: I want to know...
15. The plane is supposed to land (at 7:14 p.m.). Question:
Object clause: Could you tell me...?
II. Make questions and object clauses.
Student A: Make a question from the given sentence. The words in brackets should be the answer to your question.
Student B: Keep your book closed. Change Student A's question into an object clause. Begin your sentence with "(Name of Student A) wants to know..."
1. Fred lives (in an apartment.)
Student A: Where does Fred live?
Student B: (Yoko) wants to know where Fred lives.
2. It's (ten o'clock).
Student A: What time is it?
Student B: (Roberto) wants to know what time it is.
3. Tom wants (a watch) for his birthday.
4. Jane gets to school (by bus).
5. Vacation starts (on June 3rd).
6. Sue left class early (because she didn't feel well).
7. The movie is going to last (two hours and ten minutes).
8. Mary called (Jim).
9. (Mary) called Jim.
10. Alice talked to the teacher about (the test).
11. Alice talked to (the teacher) about the test.
12. (Alice) talked to the teacher about the test.
13. Sue's plane will arrive (at 8:05).
14. (Two) students will be absent from class tomorrow.
15. There are (over 10,000) lakes in Minnesota.
16. It's (twenty-five miles) to Springfield from here.
17. Jane (studied) last night.
18. We're supposed to buy (this) book, (not that book.)
19. Ann likes (chocolate) ice cream the best.
20. That woman is (Mrs Anderson).
21. (Mrs Anderson) is talking on the telephone.
22. That is (Sam's) notebook.
24. (Jessica's ) car was stolen.
25. Jack's new car is (red).
26. The concert begins (at 7.00).
27. Dick is leaving (on Friday.)
28. Tom likes (swimming).