WH- IF/WHETHER CLAUSES

WH- and IF / WHETHER NOUN CLAUSES

UNIT 2 - APRIL 20

We use certain reporting verbs with noun clauses that begin with wh- words or with if / whether. *The clauses use statment word order, NOT qustion word order.

EXAMPLE: He asks why we come so late. My mother asked me why I didn't do it.

*We use why, how, who, what, when, and whereto begin clauses that correspond to a wh- question. EXAMPLE: He does not indicate why young people experience similar problems.

*We use whether or if to begin clauses that correspond to a yes/no question.EXAMPLE: The author wonders whether these results can be repeated in a large study.

MORE EXAMPLES: - Scientists do not know whether insect sounds are a method of communication. - The number of residents is not yet at an optimum level. When that level will be reached is not certain. - According to Picasso, every child is an artist, and the problem is how we can remain artists when we grow up. - We need to look at why urbanization promotes both conflict and cooperation. - Scientists seem to keep changing their minds about whether coffee is bad for you.

VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY WH- OR IF / WETHER NOUN CLAUSES INCLUDE: ask explain* say* consider indicate* talk about discuss inquire (about) tell* establish* question wonder * usually negative when followed by if / whether

We can introduce noun clauses with a WH- word (WHO, WHAT, WHERE, HOW, ETC.) Like THAT clauses, WH- noun clauseds can have many different funcctions in a sentence.-Why he got mad isn't important. -I don't know how old she is. -The question is who knows the most. -I'm not sure what you mean. *NOTICE: a WH- clause can also be the object of a preposition. -She was upset about what he said.

We use noun clauses with IF or WHETHER to show a choice betwen two options.-We don't know if she's right or wrong. -I'm not sure whether I can join you tonight or not. (in this sentence often negative OR contrasting) Clauses with WHETHER can have many different functions in a sentence. -Whether or not he will come isn't certain. -The question is whether I should stay or go. -I wonder whether you understand or not.

Sometimes only one option is mentioned in an IF/WHETHER clause. -I can't decide if I should move. -I can't decide whether I should move. Here, the second option (or not) is implied. Note that "or not" can directly follow whether, but not if. -Your doctor can tell you whether or not you should take our medication. -Your doctor can tell you if or not you should take it.

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