104 Noun Phrases
Wh- word as adverb of cause
I know you did it why. ⇒ I know why you did it ∅.
Wh- word as adverb of manner
I know you did it how. ⇒ I know how you did it ∅.
Exercise 7.6
Use Rule 2 to move the wh- word to the beginning of the noun clause. Mark the gap where the
wh- word came from with ∅.
We discussed they were doing the job how.
We discussed how they were doing the job ∅.
1. I told them I needed what.

2. We did what seemed to please them.

3. The police asked them they did it why.

4. The only thing that counts is you actually do what.

5. I was really impressed by you were trying to accomplish what.

6. You can make it whenever will be fi ne with us.

7. I can’t remember it was whose suggestion.

8. We were confused by they said what.

(i-viiiB,001-328B) whl bk.indd 104 3/16/09 12:34:06 PM
Noun Clauses 105
9. My friends were trying to guess they would pick which one.

10. I had no idea about we should do what.

106 Noun Phrases
Information question: What have they done?
Incorrect wh- clause: X I know what have they done.
Correct wh- clause: I know what they have done.
Information question: Why would they want to do that?
Incorrect wh- clause: X I know why would they want to do that.
Correct wh- clause: I know why they would want to do that.
Information question: What does he mean by that?
Incorrect wh- clause: X I know what does he mean by that.
Correct wh- clause: I know what he means by that.
Notice in this last example that the incorrect wh- clause (in imitation of the question form) uses
the helping verb does. In the correctly-formed wh- clause, the helping verb does is not used.
The mistake is more likely to happen in speaking than in writing. It is more likely to occur in
rapid conversation or when the situation is stressful. Nonnative speakers who tend to make this
mistake need to be aware of their tendency and consciously monitor themselves for the error.
Exercise 7.7
Many of the following sentences contain wh- clauses that incorrectly use information question
word order. Cross out these incorrect wh- clauses and write the corrected form in the space pro-
vided. If the wh- clause is correct, write OK.
I didn’t understand what was he saying
.
I didn’t understand what he was saying.
1. It is not clear what were they arguing about.

2. We need to fi nd out how much will it cost.

3. Who will be the speaker depends on the budget.

4. Their expert advice is what are we paying the big bucks for.