Newguest  +  951659 Sat, 24 Oct 09 05:18 PM Hi   1. I don't know what the reasons behind it are. 2. I don't know what are the reasons behind it.   --- Which is correct? Newguest Joined on Sun, Feb 25 2007 Senior Member 2,105

	Avangi  +  951814 Sat, 24 Oct 09 09:13 PM I suppose both are correct.  The first one is more idiomatic. I would prefer, "I don't know the reasons behind it."  Your version is probably more emphatic. Still more emphatic:  "I have no idea what the reasons behind it could be!" Best wishes,   - A. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,207 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	Newguest  +  951836 Sat, 24 Oct 09 09:39 PM Hi   But I suppose that this kind of constructions are not always interchangeable, not in all cases?   Thanks Newguest Constructions

	Cool Breeze  +  951850 Sat, 24 Oct 09 09:55 PM Newguest “ 1. I don't know what the reasons behind it are. 2. I don't know what are the reasons behind it. ” The first sentence is grammatical because in an indirect question the subject goes before the finite verb. However, sentences of the second type ore so common that it would be futile to argue against them. Sentences of type 2 occur when the subject is long. If the subject is short, only type 1 is possible: 1. I don't know what he said. 2. I don't know what said he. WRONG! CB Cool Breeze Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006 Senior Member 3,979 "I hope you'll all live to be 150 years old - and the last voice you hear is mine!" Frank Sinatra on stage in Oslo, Norway, 28 September 1991 Questions, Sentences, Conversational, Indirect

	Avangi  +  951912 Sat, 24 Oct 09 11:19 PM Newguest “ But I suppose that this kind of constructions are not always interchangeable, not in all cases? ” Speaking of your two examples, I think CB's post covers it. Edit.  Just to be picky, I think we'd say "this kind of construction" or "these kinds of constructions."  It gets confusing, even to me.  Actually, your version may be okay. When we're talking about building bridges, I think we can even say, "These kinds of construction."  (uncountable vs. countable) Avangi Constructions, Speaking, Chat, Friendships