order in subordinate clause

Question

1. Tell me who she is.2. Tell me who is she.Q) I've absolutely sure about the order like "who she is" that comes after some sentence like #1 because I've learned and always heard sentences like #1. But I've recently heard from some native speakers that they use the order like "who is she" after the main clause like "Tell me". (I suppose they're British people... or.. from Americans too). #1 and #2 are just one set of examples.. They've been some cases like #1 and #2 regarding the word order.Are both correct?

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Indirect question: Tell me who she is.
Direct Question: Tell me, who is she?

Moon7296 · Answer

Ah.. this type of order is called.. "indirect question". So.. both are definitely correct but the difference is whether a speaker intends to ask a listener directly or indirectly, right?

Fivejedjon · Answer

moon7296the difference is whether a speaker intends to ask a listener directly or indirectly, right?

Not quite. It's whether the speaker chooses to construct the question in the form of what we call a direct or indirect question. In neither case is the speaker 'indirectly' asking.

Moon7296 · Answer

Ok. Thank you for correcting that part.
Then the difference between #1 and #2 can occur in intonation too, right?
Is the intended intonation like the below?
1. Tell me who she IS.
2. Tell me who is she.

CalifJim · Answer

moon72961. Tell me who she is.2. Tell me who is she.

0. Who is she?
1. Tell me who she is.
2. Tell me who is she.

Here is how I've seen these labeled:

0. Direct question (construction).
1. Indirect question (construction).
2. Semi-indirect question (construction).

Native speakers use 0 and 1 regularly, and these are usually the ones considered correct on an English exam. Native speakers also sometimes use 2, to the frustration of English teachers and the confusion of English students. I usually recommend that students not use 2, but know how to recognize it when they hear it. I make this recommendation because the normal word order in many languages other than English is 2, and for that reason the student may tend to prefer it. Even after hearing 1 a thousand times for each hearing of 2, the student still believes that 2 is the more common form, but it isn't. My recommendation is designed to keep students from forming the bad habit of using 2 to the exclusion of any other form.

CJ

Moon7296 · Answer

What a great extra information which is very helpful for teachers! Thank you very much!

By the way the intonation I asked is meaningless or correct as they are marked?

CalifJim · Answer

moon7296 intonation

Either intonation is possible for either sentence, so that aspect of the sentences does not distinguish one from the other.

1. Tell me who she IS. / Tell me who SHE is.
2. Tell me who IS she. / Tell me who is SHE.

There is yet another form, in which the semi-indirect form is broken into two sections and the rhythm of the sentences changes. This form should be written as two sentences, the second of which is simply a direct question.

Tell me. Who is she? (Slight pause at the period. Stress either IS or SHE, as above.)

CJ

order in subordinate clause

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