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Qingqing Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

About the expression "...what was the matter" or "what the matter was"

0Please look at the following question:02br
00My mother asked___ with me.02br
00A. what was the wrong B. what the matter was C. what matter was D. what was the matter02br
02br
00"D" is right because in spoken language poeple often say "what's the matter" and it is analysed that here "what" is a subject.02br
02br
00And in the sentence" He asked what the matter was" the "matter" means substance. Right?02br
02br
00But I noticed a sentence "He came in and asked what the matter was with us." Is it right? Thanks.0-
  

Top answer

" Is it right? >02br 02br 00There, it means "what is the point/topic under discussion"? 0-

— Milky

  • " Is it right?
  • >02br 02br 00There, it means "what is the point/topic under discussion"?
  • 0-
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3 Answers
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0<But I noticed a sentence "He came in and asked what the matter was with us." Is it right? Thanks.>02br
02br
00There, it means "what is the point/topic under discussion"? A different meaning to "what's wrong".02br
02br
00What matter/topic are you discussing?0-
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0The exercise sentence is in reported speech, also called 'indirect speech/question'. Therefore, the correct answer is B: 'My mother asked what the matter was with me'. The direct question could have been: 'What is the matter with you?'. 02br
02br
00Your last example is fine.0-
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0 B and D seem both OK, but I think D is the more idiomatic usage. 0-
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