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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

know the mistake, how to amend it and why it is wrong in this sentence: what did you say was your name?

What did you say was your name? I know it should be: What did you say your name was? But how do I explain it?
  

Top answer

The problem is one of word order. One question is embedded in another and the mistake is in giving them both the word order of a question. The second part “your name was” isn’t actually a direct question.

— Saghi

  • The problem is one of word order.
  • One question is embedded in another and the mistake is in giving them both the word order of a question.
  • The second part “your name was” isn’t actually a direct question.
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2 Answers
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The problem is one of word order. One question is embedded in another and the mistake is in giving them both the word order of a question. The second part “your name was” isn’t actually a direct question.
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Anonymous What did you say was your name? I know it should be: What did you say your name was? But how do I explain it?
It can be said either way.

You're working with an equative sentence. what = name? is the same as name = what?

You said, "Brian is my name". ~ You said, "My name is Brian".
You said __ was your name. ~
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