Differences Between Mistake and Error
that may be true. Meanwhile, ‘whether’ uses when the speaker has suggested one possibility but has left open the question of other possibilities.
51
On the other hand, when one reports a ‘wh’ question, heshe uses a ‘wh’ word at the beginning of the reported clause. There are a few verbs which can be
used before clauses beginning with ‘wh’ words, because they refer to knowing, learning, or mentioning one of the circumstances of an event or situation.
Here is a list of verbs which can be used before clauses beginning with ‘wh’- words:
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Table 2.4 The Verbs Used before Clauses Beginning ‘WH’- Words
Decide Forget
Realize Suggesst
Describe Guess
Remember Teach
Discover Imagine
Say Tell
Discuss Know
See Think
explain Learn
Wonder Understand
And the following are the form of grammar rules for reported question: 1 Normal word order is used in reported questions, that is, the subject
comes before the verb, and it is not necessary to use do or did: Example: “Where does Peter live?”
She asked him where Peter lived. 2 Yes no questions: This type of question is reported by using ask + if
whether + clause: Example: Do you speak English?
He asked me if I spoke English. Are you British or American?
He asked me whether I was British or American.
51
John Sinclair, loc. cit.
52
Ibid.
sst r
r
nd
3 Question words: This type of question is reported by using ask + question word + clause. The clause contains the question, in normal
word order and with the necessary tense change. Example: What is your name? he asked me.
He asked me what my name was. How old is your mother?” he asked.
He asked how old her mother was.
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Note: When someone reports questions with ‘who, what or which’ + to be+ complement, the verb ‘to be’ can come before or after the
complement.
54
The other changes to note when one reports the question is that there is no inversion or change of the word order of subject and verb in reported speech and
no dodoesdid when the question is reported.
55
On the contrary, do can be used in indirect negative questions, as a negative auxiliary.
In addition, when someone reports another person’s words in indirect question, heshe often has to change the tenses and pronouns used in the direct
question.
53
http:www.edufind.com 2 November 2012
54
http:www.eslbase.com 12 Desember 2012
55
http:www.bbc.co.ukworldservicelearningenglishgrammarlearnit , 2 November 2012
Here is a list of characteristic changes in tense forms:
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Table 2.5 The Characteristics Changes in Tense
Direct Question Indirect Question
Simple Present ‘What is the matter?’
Simple Past She asked me what the matter was
Simple Past ‘How did you make this
salad?’ Past Perfect
I wondered how she had made that
salad. Present Perfect
‘Have you bought a new outfit for it?’
Past Perfect
She wondered whether I had
bought a new outfit for it. Present Progressive
‘Where are you going?’ Past Progressive
I wanted to know where she was going.
Future ‘Will you be in Paris on
Monday?’ Conditional
He asked me if I would be in Paris on Monday.
Here is some common change in pronouns and possessive adjectives:
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Table 2.6 The Changes of Pronoun and Passive Adjectives
Direct Question Indirect Question
I He or she
Me Him or her
My His or her
we They
56
http:www.athabascau.cacoursesengl . 12 Desember 2012
57
Martin Parrot, op. cit., p. 223.