Page 501 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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questions (6): question-word clauses
question-word clauses as objects
Clauses beginning with question words can refer both to questions and to the answers to questions. They often act as the objects of verbs - for example, when questions and their answers are reported (see 276).
I asked who wanted to come.
She wondered why he wasn't wearing a coat.
We need to decide where Ann's going to sleep.
He told me when he was arriving, but I've forgotten. She explained what the problem was.
other uses
Question-word clauses can act not only as objects, but also as subjects, complements or adverbials. This structure is often rather informal (especially with how-clauses - see 252).
Who you invite is your business. A hot bath is what I need. Where we stay doesn't matter. This is how much I've done. I'm surprised at how fast she can run.
You can eat it how you like. (very informal)
The 'preparatory it! structure is often used with subject clauses (see 446). It's your business who you invite. It doesn't matter where we stay.
Question-word clauses can give more information about nouns. In this case they are called 'relative clauses' (see 494-498 for details).
There's that man who threw stones at your dog. The place where Mary works has just had a fire.
questions (7): that-clauses
A wh-question usually refers to the main clause which starts with the question word. However, questions can also refer to subordinate that-clauses after verbs like wish, think or say.
Who do you wish (that) you'd married, then?
How long do you think (that) we should wait? What did you say (that) you wanted for Christmas?
That is usually dropped; it must be dropped when the question word refers to the subject of the subordinate clause.
Who do you think is outside? (NOT VJh6 ti6 16ft thilzle thfi;t is 8fttsith?) What do you suppose will happen now? (NOT What fi(} )lim sltf:JP(}se that will
happen n(}w?)
question tags (1): basic information
What are question tags?
'Question tags' are the small questions that often come at the ends of sentences in speech, and sometimes in informal writing.
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Thefilm wasn't very good, was it?
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