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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

why is it wrong?

Why is 'what did you say was your name' wrong ?
  

Top answer

Hi, What makes you think it's wrong? Clive

  • Hi, What makes you think it's wrong?
  • Clive
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24 Answers
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Hi,

What makes you think it's wrong?Emotion: smile

Clive
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Some might prefer the inversion:

'What did you say your name WAS? '
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For example, me. Emotion: smile But I'd call it the non-inverted case.

Your name was what > What your name was (Subj
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AnonymousWhy is 'what did you say was your name' wrong ?

From what I've read in books on English usage, it should be 'What did you say your name was?', not 'What did you say was your name?'

We should say:

1. 'What is your name?'

2. 'May I know what your name is?'

3. Could y
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Hi,

Lots of options. I wouldn't call this exchange wrong or rare:

Q - What did he say was his name?

A - He said 'Tom' was his name.

Best wishes, Clive
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According to 'Modern English Usage' by Fowler, an indirect question is the grammarian's name for a modification of what was originally a question.

Direct question: Who are you?

Indirect question: I asked who he was.

NOT I asked who was he.

Indirect question: Tell me who you are.

NOT Tell me who are yo
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Hi,

According to 'Modern English Usage' by Fowler, an indirect question is the grammarian's name for a modification of what was originally a question.

I don't see an 'original question' at the start of this exchange.

It sems to me that the conversation could be something like

A: Tom is my name. (This is a statement, not a questio
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In the New York Times, in questions with ?:

==

  • http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0D10FE3E540C718CDDAD0894DE404482

    ... did you say your name was?'' he asks. ...

    April 2, 2006 - B
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    But according to the New York Times, Clive's version is OK too for direct assertions (not questions):

    -----

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