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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Fused relative vs. interrogative
Hi,
I know what he wants.
As far as I know 'what he wants' in the above sentece is interpreted as an interrogative content clause. The whole sentence can be paraphrased as somthing like this: I know the answer to the question "what does he want?".
Is there a situation in which it can be a fused relative?
Can someone answer this question please?
I know what he wants.
As far as I know 'what he wants' in the above sentece is interpreted as an interrogative content clause. The whole sentence can be paraphrased as somthing like this: I know the answer to the question "what does he want?".
Is there a situation in which it can be a fused relative?
Can someone answer this question please?
Top answer
With some of these examples - and this appears to be one of them - I have trouble seeing any difference between the two analyses. The difference is certainly subtle. Like you, I'd say this is an interrogative content clause.
- With some of these examples - and this appears to be one of them - I have trouble seeing any difference between the two analyses.
- The difference is certainly subtle.
- Like you, I'd say this is an interrogative content clause.
- I think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will.
- I experience much less brain strain seeing the two versions of this one: I (don't) know who you're looking for.
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8 Answers
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With some of these examples - and this appears to be one of them - I have trouble seeing any difference between the two analyses. The difference is certainly subtle. Like you, I'd say this is an interrogative content clause.
I think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will.
I think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will.
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Hi, CJ.
Thank you for the answer. Could you explain your last sentence in a little more detail?
"I think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will."
Thank you.
Thank you for the answer. Could you explain your last sentence in a little more detail?
"I think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will."
Thank you.
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jooneyI think it can be a fused relative, but only by an act of the will.It's a joke. It says that it requires "an act of the will", i.e., an intense forcing of the mind, to make your brain understand that sentence structure (what he wants) as a fused relative in that context. The mind resists that way of understanding it and must be forced!
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I couldn't agree with you more. You always come up with very good, clear examples!
Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you very much for your help.
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jooneyThank you very much for your help.You're welcome.
Did you understand the example I added to my first response to your post?
Were you able to make your brain interpret that one both ways?
If so, you should be able to understand how this is possible:
I know who you're looking for (interrogative content), but I
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I thought I did.
Now that you've given me a particular example of it, I have a question.
"I know who you're lookin
Now that you've given me a particular example of it, I have a question.
"I know who you're lookin
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jooney"I know who you're looking for."Yes.
So here 'who you're looking for' can be interpreted as a fused relative, right?
You are looking for person A and I know that person.
Fused relative.
- Who is Mary looking for?
- She's looking for Robert.
- Oh, I know him. Robert is a friend of mine.
I kn
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Your examples are right on point!
Thank you for providing such great examples.
Thank you for providing such great examples.
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