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Zig Justice Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Requesting explanation...
A student recently asked me a question concerning the following phrase:
It doesn't matter who says what, ...(sentence continued)
She wanted to change the position of "what," such that:
It doesn't matter what who says,...
Obviously, that's a bit off. I suggested the change to:
It doesn't matter what anybody says,...
Which is much better. But then she asked me WHY, and I couldn't give a decent explanation. So, um, any help?
Thanks in advance.
Zig . o O (Unfortunately, I've been busy and couldn't ask this sooner. Oops.)
It doesn't matter who says what, ...(sentence continued)
She wanted to change the position of "what," such that:
It doesn't matter what who says,...
Obviously, that's a bit off. I suggested the change to:
It doesn't matter what anybody says,...
Which is much better. But then she asked me WHY, and I couldn't give a decent explanation. So, um, any help?
Thanks in advance.
Zig . o O (Unfortunately, I've been busy and couldn't ask this sooner. Oops.)
Top answer
Hi Zig, and welcome to English Forums. A bit of a mess, eh wot? who says what what anyone says In both clauses, the 'what's are the verb objects, while 'who' and 'anyone' are the subjects.
- Hi Zig, and welcome to English Forums.
- A bit of a mess, eh wot?
- who says what what anyone says In both clauses, the 'what's are the verb objects, while 'who' and 'anyone' are the subjects.
- BUT: It doesn't matter who says what It doesn't matter what anyone says The objects (or complements) of 'matter' are 'who' in the first and 'what' in the second: they are stating different points.
- -- the enquiry is about 'who' is saying.
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2 Answers
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Hi Zig, and welcome to English Forums. A bit of a mess, eh wot?
who says what
what anyone says
In both clauses, the 'what's are the verb objects, while 'who' and 'anyone' are the subjects.
BUT:
It doesn't matter who says what
It doesn't matter what anyone says
The objects (or complements) of 'matter' are 'who' in the first and
who says what
what anyone says
In both clauses, the 'what's are the verb objects, while 'who' and 'anyone' are the subjects.
BUT:
It doesn't matter who says what
It doesn't matter what anyone says
The objects (or complements) of 'matter' are 'who' in the first and
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Here's another take on your question.
"You can't front more than one interrogative pronoun in English" may be the explanation your student wants.
Where did you put what?
What did you put where?
But not: Where what did you put? or What where did you put?
When did who say that?
Who said that when?
But not: When who said that? or Who wh
"You can't front more than one interrogative pronoun in English" may be the explanation your student wants.
Where did you put what?
What did you put where?
But not: Where what did you put? or What where did you put?
When did who say that?
Who said that when?
But not: When who said that? or Who wh
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