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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

To CalifJim

Hi Jim,
The other day I've found this explanation written by you and I really like it.

A question is like a statement where you have to fill in the blank.

1 Who is talking to Alex? = ___ is talking to Alex.
2 Who is Alex talking to now? = Alex is talking to ___ now.

My questions are:
a) Can I change the word 'statement' for 'sentence' without changing the meaning of the definition?
b) Can the explanation about 'a question' be valid for all the question words? I think so. Could you confirm it?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Thinking Spain a) Can I change the word 'statement' for 'sentence' without changing the meaning of the definition? Not really, because "sentence" includes a statement, a question, a command, and an exclamation. I was drawing attention to the fact that a question is (in some sense) based on a corresponding statement with a missing piece.

— CalifJim

  • Thinking Spain a) Can I change the word 'statement' for 'sentence' without changing the meaning of the definition?
  • Not really, because "sentence" includes a statement, a question, a command, and an exclamation.
  • I was drawing attention to the fact that a question is (in some sense) based on a corresponding statement with a missing piece.
  • It isn't based on a command or an exclamation or on another question.
  • If you want to get fancy, you can say that an interrogative sentence is based on a declarative sentence.
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7 Answers
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Thinking Spaina) Can I change the word 'statement' for 'sentence' without changing the meaning of the definition?
Not really, because "sentence" includes a statement, a question, a command, and an exclamation. I was drawing attention to the fact that a question is (in some sense) based on a corresponding statement with a missing piece. It isn't based on a co
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Hi Jim,
Thank you for your reply.
Let's see if I get the definition about 'statement' clear.
A statement sentence is that sentence in which neither a question is asked nor a command is given, so a statement can be an affirmative or negative sentence only. Right?
Is 'statement' in Spanish 'oración'?

Yes. The question word doesn't make any diffe
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Thinking SpainA statement sentence is that sentence in which neither a question is asked nor a command is given, so a statement can be an affirmative or negative sentence only. Right?
"Statement" is not a technical term of grammar, but I use it to mean "declarative sentence", so you are right.
Thinking SpainIs 'statement' in Spanish 'or
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CalifJimOf course. You can make a question with any verb.
Hi Jim,
Yes I know that. What I meant and I probably didn't express myself very well is, that besides the given examples of yours with the verb be, I can use other verbs to explain it.

1 Who is talking to Alex? = ___ is talking to Alex.

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Thinking SpainYes I know that. What I meant and I probably didn't express myself very well is, that besides the given examples of yours with the verb be, I can use other verbs to explain it.
Hi Jim,
So sorry. It was too late when I wrote it and once again I didn't express myself properly.
'... I can use other verbs and othe
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Yes. I don't know why you need to ask the question. You can explain with any kinds of examples you want. The verbs and the tenses and the question words don't matter. All you need to show is the statements with blanks and the corresponding questions. A nice mix of different verbs, tenses, and question words would be good.

CJ
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CalifJimYes. I don't know why you need to ask the question.
Hi Jim,
Thank you for your reply. I know the answer you have given me is quite obvious, but I just wanted to be sure 100%. I also in all cases like to confirm about each detail.
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