Regarding a use of verb.

Question

Sentence: "Then what the government will do?" "Then what will the government do"My question rather intention behind this question is to know whether the meaning of a sentence gets change when a place of a verb gets changed in the same sentence? E.g. I have changed the place of a verb "will" in the sentence which is almost identical in context, syntax and in meaning. So my question is, are the meaning and context of my sentence will change if I change the place of the verb? If they (meaning and context) will, then please tell the difference between the two sentences? Regards and thanks

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Sentence: "Then what the government will do?" "Then what will the government do?"

My question rather intention behind this question is to know whether the meaning of a sentence gets change when a place of a verb gets changed in the same sentence?

E.g. I have changed the place of a verb "will" in the sentence which is almost identical in context, syntax and in meaning. So my question is, are the meaning and context of my sentence will change if I change the place of the verb? If they (meaning and context) will, then please tell the difference between the two sentences?

I assume you intend these to be direct questions. Only #2 uses the correct word order for a direct question. I further assume that you have learned the word order needed for a direct question.

eg When will Tom eat dinner?

Not When Tom will eat dinner?

Clive

Yahira · Answer

"Then what the goverment will do" sounds more like your going to say what the goverment will do, not a question. "Then what will the goverment do" sounds more like a question. Sound like your asking someone "what will the goverment do?"
I hope it makes since.

Joe2012 · Answer

Thanks Clive and Yahira got your points.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

CalifJim · Answer

Razerplease tell the difference between the two sentences

Here's the difference. One is correct, and the other one is wrong!

You can use the "wrong" word order in a different context, however:

What the government will do is raise taxes.

Now you have a statement, not a question, and the word order is correct in the statement.

CJ

Joe2012 · Answer

Thanks.

Avangi · Answer

RazerE.g. I have changed the place of a verb "will" in the sentence which is almost identical in context, syntax and in meaning. So my question is, are the meaning and context of my sentence will change if I change the place of the verb?

This seems like an impossible request.
You have said that the context, syntax and meaning are "almost" identical, and then you ask if the meaning has changed.

In your example, "will" serves as an auxilliary, so "changing the place of the verb" would require moving the "do."

"Will" has several meanings and uses. It would surely be possible to come up with sentences in which repositioning the "will" can result in a new meaning. But if you require that the syntax, context and meaning be the same, where does that leave us?

I eat breakfast at seven, and will then take a walk.
I will eat breakfast at seven and then take a walk.

The first describes habitual behavior, and the second is simple future tense.

Joe2012 · Answer

AvangiYou have said that the context, syntax and meaning are "almost" identical, and then you ask if the meaning has changed.

Lol.

AvangiIn your example, "will" serves as an auxilliary, so "changing the place of the verb" would require moving the "do."

Yup, understood.

Avangi"Will" has several meanings and uses. It would surely be possible to come up with sentences in which repositioning the "will" can result in a new meaning. But if you require that the syntax, context and meaning be the same, where does that leave us?

AvangiI eat breakfast at seven, and will then take a walk.
I will eat breakfast at seven and then take a walk.

The first describes habitual behavior, and the second is simple future tense.

Nice example. I got the point

Regarding a use of verb.

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