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Nina_Nia Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

The use of 'what'

Hello,

Could you, please explain to me the use of underlined 'what'?

Did you find your birthday present yet?

I found the box, but it was empty.

Are you sure?

Did you check?

Check again.

Every year I thought it was my father
who left me shoes on my birthday.

But all this time, it's been...

Tell me what it opens.

How would I know?

Thanks
  

Top answer

" It is an indirect question. Tell me something . A: Here is a key.

  • " It is an indirect question.
  • Tell me something .
  • A: Here is a key.
  • B: What does it open?
  • = Tell me ( what it opens ).
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1 Answers
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What is a pronoun that introduces the noun clause "what it opens."
Within the noun clause, it is the direct object of "open."

The noun clause is the direct object of "tell." It is an indirect question.

Tell me something.

A: Here is a key.
B: What does it open? = Tell me (what it opens).
A: The key opens a box.

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