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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Not sure vs. not sure about

A. I'm not sure what's going on here.
B. I'm not sure about what's going on here.

1. Which of the sentences above are grammatical? and natural?
2. Is there any difference between them if both are possible?

Please advise. Thanks.
  

Top answer

Both are fine and have the same meaning. Sentence A is the more common one as there really is no need for the preposition after sure. In some other similar sentences a preposition is required, though: I'm not interested in what he said.

— Cool Breeze

  • Both are fine and have the same meaning.
  • Sentence A is the more common one as there really is no need for the preposition after sure.
  • In some other similar sentences a preposition is required, though: I'm not interested in what he said.
  • What is a relative pronoun in that sentence.
  • CB
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4 Answers
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Both are fine and have the same meaning. Sentence A is the more common one as there really is no need for the preposition after sure. In some other similar sentences a preposition is required, though: I'm not interested in what he said. What is a relative pronoun in that sentence.

CB
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Thank you very much for your explanation. I see both are fine.

Since 'what' in your example sentence is a relative pronoun, I wonder what figure of speech is 'what' in my original sentences. Is it also a pronoun, but diffirent from a relative pronoun because a relative pronoun requires a preposition before it, if I understood correctly?


I'm not sure wh
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I consider what a relative pronoun in both of your sentences.

CB
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I see it's also a relative pronoun in my sentences.

I guess there's really no definite rule whether a preposition is required or not in sentences similar to mine and yours. It's a case to case basis.

Again, thank you for your helpful response.
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