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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Indirect question

"What subjects did you take? I'd like to know."

I let my students to write the sentences in one sentence by using 'indirect question' and expected answer was

'I'd like to know what subjects you took'.

some of them wrote 'I'd like to know what subjects you did take' instead of the model answer.

I thought this was okay also, although there would be some change to what the speaker will be focusing.

My co-teachers do not approve of me however, and I would like to make sure if the alternative answer is not acceptable or not.(rationale for either response) thanks.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I'd like to know what subjects you did take. In my opinion, there has to be some reason to use the auxilliary "to do" in a declarative sentence. " It's not ungrammatical to add the "do" with no reason, but it can change the sense of the meaning.

— Avangi

  • Anonymous I'd like to know what subjects you did take.
  • In my opinion, there has to be some reason to use the auxilliary "to do" in a declarative sentence.
  • " It's not ungrammatical to add the "do" with no reason, but it can change the sense of the meaning.
  • There should be some context to explain the need for the emphasis which the "do" provides.
  • It seems fairly obvious that your students included the "did" only because they (erroneously) thought it necessary to include every word that was in the question.
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5 Answers
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AnonymousI'd like to know what subjects you did take.
In my opinion, there has to be some reason to use the auxilliary "to do" in a declarative sentence.
"I really do like this subject."

It's not ungrammatical to add the "do" with no reason, but it can change the sense of the meaning. There should be some context to explain
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Hi,

"What subjects did you take? I'd like to know."

I let my students to write the sentences in one sentence by using 'indirect question' and expected answer was

'I'd like to know what subjects you took'.

some of them wrote 'I'd like to know what subjects you did take' instead of the model answer.

I thought this was o
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CliveIt''s hard when your colleagues all disagree, isn't it?
Fortunately, the minority opinion is not always the wrong one.
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CalifJimFortunately, the minority opinion is not always the wrong one.
Still, there's something to be said for having an abundance of right-minded people.
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Hi,

Unfortunately, being right does not alwyas make you popular. Still, adversity builds character.

Clivei
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