By Clauses, Direct questions

I {can / could} buy a house like that if I {save / saved} my money for a few years.{ } indicates correlated choices. (The first choice goes with the first choice; the second choice goes with the second choice.) CJ

Only one s in present!!! You can't use will with the stative verbs in this construction: } _______Your example with make sure does not belong to the pattern above. There's no indirect question.Make sure (that) you come back soon.A make sure that pattern is not followed by a future...

Not here. No. when to clauses are indirect questions, hence, they function as noun phrases:I didn't know when to change trains.Be sure to tell him when to change trains.They don't function as adverbs:*You have to walk when to change trains.*Be sure to read the posted signs when to...

Hi, N2G,Besides in indirect questions (the examples previously given), if + will works also to indicate volition (or refusal in its negative form, "if + won't" ) or insistence, and, yes, it can be used at the beginning of a sentence. Here are the links to some other threads where...

Hi NGYou are right. Indirect questions fall in three categories.1. There is a word that can begin a clause but the word is not the subject.What did he say? - Tell me what he said.2. There isn't a word that can begin a clause. If or whether must be used.Did he come in time? - Tell me...

I know 'would' carries many meanings. My problem is sometimes I find it difficult to tell which meaning the speaker uses. I think I understand its hypothetical usage, and in some contexts, its politeness usage. Below is a post that has several woulds I have trouble interpreting. I also...

Yes, I agree that sometimes we change our minds in the middle of a sentence, but I was thinking of something like:Do you remember what the name of that woman was? (not inverted) versusDo you remember what was the name of that beautiful woman with long dark hair, green eyes and a fair complexion...

Thank you very much for your aswer, Tanit, expecially for the first list you provide. I had not included these cases:In formal/emphatic conditional sentences: "Should you need further information, please call ..."When expressing wishes starting with may: "May you find what...

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for your replying to my stupid question. I really appreciate it. Hi Anon, In contrary, I don’t think your question is stupid. It brings up an issue that has stirred many good discussions in this forum and elsewhere. Here is an extracted text that...

(b) "I know who he is." ....... nor does it ask an indirect question. There is no question of any kind in sentence (b). I don't know of a more central example of an indirect question than the sort of clause typically found after I (don't) know or I wonder. What other sort of name does...