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Johner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Clauses (what)

Hi,

Before the clauses beginning with "what" do we have to use prepositions. For example; I have no clue (about) what you just said. If needed; responsible for, good at, etc... If it depends, on what?

Thanks in advance..
  

Top answer

johner If it depends, on what? It depends on if the verb is a phrasal verb or not. These need no preposition: I heard what you said.

— AlpheccaStars

  • johner If it depends, on what?
  • It depends on if the verb is a phrasal verb or not.
  • These need no preposition: I heard what you said.
  • I understood what you meant.
  • He did what he was told.
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8 Answers
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johner If it depends, on what?
It depends on if the verb is a phrasal verb or not. These need no preposition:

I heard what you said.

I understood what you meant.

He did what he was told.

She sold what she had in her attic.
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Hi,

AlpheccaStarsIt depends on if the verb is a phrasal verb or not.
Thank you. But what about the others? e.g.: don't have a clue, get angry at, take note of, be responsible for, etc.

I don't have a clue about what you're talking about.

I don't have a clue about what you just said.

I'm not resp
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These prepositions have nothing to do with "what." They are necessary with any noun phrase, including the what-clauses in your examples. These are phrasal verbs or expressions with prepositions, in which the preposition is part of the meaning.

For example:

I don't have a clue about Brittany Spears's music.

I'm not responsible for my
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Thank you. I think sometimes in movies they don't say these prepositions. For example the other day in a movie I heard this: "I don't have a clue what they mean". So I thought maybe in casual speeches we can omit the prepositions in what-clauses. That's just what I inferred from it.

Thanks again for the feedback.
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johner"I don't have a clue what they mean".
Yes, you heard correctly. But this is idiomatic, and does not apply to other prepositional expressions.
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Hi,

As far as I understand, prepositions that goes just before clauses or noun phrases are necessary. I was thinking about it and I've realized that following sentences I often use don't apply this rule.

I'm not sure which is worse.

I'm not sure if they're coming along.

I'm almost sure I'm making a mistake somewhere.

Yes, I'm sure I
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Hi,

No, a preposition does not come before every noun clause.

A clause can be an indirect question or indirect statement:

I don't know when they are coming.

I don't know if they are coming.

She didn't tell me why they are coming.

etc.

A clause can be an adjective or noun complement:

He was not sure
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Apparently the topic that confuses me is "noun clause as object of preposition". I'm good with the other noun clases. I'll be searching.

Thanks again.
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