Anonymous  +  382458 Thu, 21 Jun 07 12:03 PM Hi, We usually say: "Do you know who you are?" "Who do you think you are?" Why the difference? Why not the opposite? Thanks for your replies! Anonymous

	Clive  +  382475 Thu, 21 Jun 07 12:40 PM Hi, We usually say: "Do you know who you are?" No, we don't usually say this. It sounds rather odd. It sounds like a doctor talking to someone who has suffered a head injury. "Who do you think you are?" Yes, this is commonly said, in cases where someone is doing things that are typical of another person. eg One of your friends starts giving you a lot of advice that you don't want, and you say to her, "Who do you think you are? My mother?" Best wishes, Clive  Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 31,543 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	Kevin X  +  382520 Thu, 21 Jun 07 01:36 PM Hi Clive, Thanks for your explanation. But what I don't understand is, from a grammatical point of view, why we say: "Do you know who he is?" "Who do you think he is?" rather than: "Who do you know he is?" "Do you think who he is?" And by the way, which of the following sentence is standard? "Who do you think is he going to invite home?" "Who do you think he is going to invite home?" Kevin X Joined on Thu, Jun 21 2007 New Member 28 Kevin

	Clive  +  382551 Thu, 21 Jun 07 02:18 PM Hi Kevin, Welcome to the Forum. . . .  what I don't understand is, from a grammatical point of view, why we say: "Do you know who he is?" "Who do you think he is?" rather than: "Who do you know he is?" As you can see, all you have changed is the verb. The reason this is not correct is that we usually don't use the verb 'know' in this way. It's a question of meaning rather than of grammar. You can make grammatically correct sentences that are wrong because of the meaning, eg Who do you cook he is? "Do you think who he is?" We don't use the verb 'think' in this way. And by the way, which of the following sentence is standard? "Who do you think is he going to invite home?"  This is not the correct way to form the question. "Who do you think he is going to invite home?" This one is fine. Best wishes, Clive Clive Grammar, Verbs

	Kevin X  +  382612 Thu, 21 Jun 07 04:40 PM I see. Grammar is supposed to help people learn a language, and never should it come before meanings, which are the part that counts. To be frank, I am a bit surprised that your replies came in so quick. I am sure to come back now and then to bother you with questions about English. Thanks again! Kevin X Grammar

	CalifJim  +  382663 Thu, 21 Jun 07 08:15 PM "Do you know who he is?" "Who do you think he is?" The structures are as follows. Indirect question derived from Who is he? embedded in the direct yes/no question Do you know? (You know?) the answer to the question (who is he?).  > (Do you know) the answer to the question (who he is)? > Do you know who he is?  (Yes or no.) Subordinate clause.  that omitted. (You think ) that (he is someone). > (You think) that (he is who) >  (Who) (do you think) that (he is)? Who do you think he is?   (Who is he? - in your opinion.) CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 24,203 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Clauses, Indirect Questions, Direct Questions