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Newguest

#492506 Mon, 24 Mar 08 07:48 PM

Hello

"Who saw you" We say so, instead of "Who did see you" because the word WHO is standing in for the subject of the sentence.

Can you think of a similar example with the word WHAT? Maybe: What happened to you? Is it a good example?

Also: Could you explain to me why it is incorrect? ( maybe it should be:…why is it incorrect?, but I don't think so :)

Thanks

Newguest

Joined on Sun, Feb 25 2007

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Philip

#492521 Mon, 24 Mar 08 08:56 PM

Who saw you? [correct]
Whom did you see? [correct] Who did you see? [so common that some consider it correct]
Why is it correct? [direct question]
Tell me why it is correct. [indirect question]

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest

Pre Guru (4,974)

If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff? - Mario Pei

Whom, Indirect questions, Direct questions

Newguest

#492534 Mon, 24 Mar 08 09:52 PM

Philip
Who saw you? [correct]
Whom did you see? [correct] Who did you see? [so common that some consider it correct]
Why is it correct? [direct question]
Tell me why it is correct. [indirect question]

Hi Philip

Thanks for the answer, but you changed my sentence, I guess. I asked about: Who did see you? and not Who did you see?

Can you think of any examples with WHAT (my originall post)?

thanks

Newguest

Whom, Indirect questions, Direct questions

CalifJim

#492536 Mon, 24 Mar 08 09:57 PM

Newguest
Can you think of a similar example with the word WHAT? Maybe: What happened to you? Is it a good example?

That's a good example, yes.

What went wrong with our plan?

What made that strange sound?

What produces steam when it boils?

What stained your shirt so badly?

What caused the Civil War?

What makes you angry?

What goes around the sun in 365.25 days?

What happens when you press this button?

What travels at 670 million miles an hour?

What surprised you the most about her?

What gave you that idea?

What would help relieve a headache?

What comes up in the east every morning?

What will fit in that corner?

What has four legs and makes the sound "Moo"?

What saved them from certain death?

What interests her?

What troubles you most about English grammar?

What comes with it?

What will grow in a clay soil?

What led you to that conclusion?

What gives meaning to life?

...

Let me know if you need more!!! Big Smile

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Forum Guru (14,682)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Grammar, English grammar

Kooyeen

#492540 Mon, 24 Mar 08 10:04 PM

Newguest
Also: Could you explain to me why it is incorrect? ( maybe it should be:…why is it incorrect?, but I don't think so :)

Could you explain why it is correct? Wink

Kooyeen

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005

Italy

Structural Member (3,455)

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Newguest

#492550 Mon, 24 Mar 08 10:29 PM

Yes, CalifJim, I would need like a hundred examples more Wink Just kidding!!!

Thanks guys. Now it's clear.

Newguest

CalifJim

#492555 Mon, 24 Mar 08 10:55 PM

CalifJim

Yankee

#492557 Mon, 24 Mar 08 11:02 PM

Newguest
"Who did see you"

Hi Newguest

That sentence would be possible in a limited number of situations. In some situations we use do and did for emphasis. For example:

A: Lots of people saw me there.

B: Really? Did Fred see you?

A: No, I don't think so.

B: Did Mary see you?

A: Not that I know of.

B: What about Jim? Did he see you?

A: I doubt it.

B: Did Alice or Gary see you?

A: Probably not.

B: Well, who did see you then?

Yankee

Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006

Connecticut, USA

Pre Guru (3,767)

Amy
"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

Numbers

Newguest

#492681 Tue, 25 Mar 08 09:13 AM

Yankee

Newguest
"Who did see you"

Hi Newguest

That sentence would be possible in a limited number of situations. In some situations we use do and did for emphasis. For example:

A: Lots of people saw me there.

B: Really? Did Fred see you?

A: No, I don't think so.

B: Did Mary see you?

A: Not that I know of.

B: What about Jim? Did he see you?

A: I doubt it.

B: Did Alice or Gary see you?

A: Probably not.

B: Well, who did see you then?

:

OK. I get it now. Thanks.

Newguest

Numbers

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