Do you know what the matter was?

Question

Hi,Do you know what the matter was?Do you know what was the matter?Why is the first wrong?Thank you

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

stephenlearnerWhy is the first wrong?

Is it really wrong? I've heard both versions. But here's the explanation. In the following examples, note that 'the matter' is an idiomatic way of saying 'wrong'. 'what' is in the subject position. 'is the matter' or 'is wrong' is the predicate.

What is the matter? ~ What is wrong?
Something's the matter. ~ Something is wrong.
Nothing's the matter. ~ Nothing is wrong.

Indirect questions have the same word order as statements. The indirect questions are shown below in brackets.

Do you know [what the matter was]? ~ Do you know [what wrong was]? < This doesn't work.
Do you know [what was the matter]? ~ Do you know [what was wrong]? < This works.

CJ

Stephenlearner · Answer

Do you know what is his name?

Do you know what his name is?

Are both of them correct?

CalifJim · Answer

stephenlearnerAre both of them correct?

Only the second is correct. In this case 'his name' is the subject. The sentence with 'the matter' is unusual, and should be considered a special case. This is the pattern when you do not use 'the matter':

Do you know what the answer is? (Do you know the answer?)
Do you know what the total is? (Do you know the total?)
Do you know what her address is? (Do you know her address?)

CJ

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thank you so much.

Do you know what the matter was?

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