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Felmax Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
I don't know when he will come?
I know that in English after subordinate clauses of time, condition & concession (after "when", "if" and so on, the Present Simple tense is used instead of the Future Simple) e.g. 1) When I go to Madrid (NOT when I will go), I will visit the Prado Museum. 2) I will call you when I get home (NOT when I will get home) 3) I will text you if he comes (NOT if he will come).
So my question is what type of subordinate clause is "when he will come" in the sentence "I don't know when he will come". Is it a subordinate clause of time?
So my question is what type of subordinate clause is "when he will come" in the sentence "I don't know when he will come". Is it a subordinate clause of time?
Top answer
felmax what type of subordinate clause is "when he will come" It's an indirect (or "embedded") question. It's not a subordinate clause of time. If it were a subordinate clause of time, it would convey a rather bizarre meaning, namely, that at the time he comes, you don't know (something).
- felmax what type of subordinate clause is "when he will come" It's an indirect (or "embedded") question.
- It's not a subordinate clause of time.
- If it were a subordinate clause of time, it would convey a rather bizarre meaning, namely, that at the time he comes, you don't know (something).
- But what don't you know at that time?
- There's no way of completing the thought in any sensible way.
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1 Answers
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felmaxwhat type of subordinate clause is "when he will come"It's an indirect (or "embedded") question.
It's not a subordinate clause of time.
If it were a subordinate clause of time, it would convey a rather bizarre meaning, namely, that at the time he comes, you don't know (something). But what don't you know at that time? There's no way
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