In Clauses^x, Indirect questions^x

Yes, I see. Swan is talking about subordinate clauses in general, which would include indirect questions and relative clauses. In that case the word often makes sense. It's surprising, though, that he doesn't make more specific observations, because there is plenty of evidence that he...

This is not a mandatory rule. It's something which is often done (thus, to me, optional), per Swan. Which part is not mandatory? I may have misunderstood, but I'm assuming the rule you are referring to is: will cannot be used in a when clause where when is an adverbial conjunction. I...

No. You've placed will in the main clause again, not in the when clause, so it's OK. The "wrong" version would have when you will go to bed, he ... If that same clause is an indirect question, it's OK, however: No one can guess when you will go to bed. So the rule of not combining when...

Goodman, Buzel said after "when", meaning in the when clause. Your example has will, but not after "when", i.e., not in the when clause. Nevertheless, Buzel's generalization is not entirely accurate, but for a different reason! Do you know why? (Think indirect questions.) CJ

I've recently learned that the future tense should rarely be used in a "when" or other clause indicating the future The objection to future tense with when (and other subordinating conjunctions of time) only applies to the case where when introduces a subordinate clause (adverbial clause of...

I'm not particulary good at giving the technical names of these structures. Sorry. I only know whoever as a fused relative serving the double function of subject in the main clause and subject in the secondary clause. And I only know the second structure as an indirect question...

Yes. I thought maybe that's what you were referring to. would in an if clause is possible when the would or the entire if-clause is part of a formula of politeness. if you would be so kind is a typical example of if with would in a "politeness phrase". This formula is equivalent to please. ...

These are indirect questions, not relative clauses. Neither clause type should have subject-verb inversion. Direct questions are the ones with inversion (unless the subject is the question word). Who is he? (Subj: he, Verb: is; direct question so verb, then subject: "is he") I know who he...

Thanks, Philip. So, the rule is the word--do/does/did--can't be used immediately after a question word in the indirect question clause but can be used anywhere in the indirect question clause. Right?

Rishonly wrote: A TOEFL book says "In a clause of indirect question, avoid using do,does, or did after the question word". For example, I didn't understand what did he say. -- (Wrong) I didn't understand what he said. (Correct) Does the rule imply that the word--do/does/did--shouldn't be...