Understanding WH Questions as Subjects and Objects in Sentences
WH questions are a category of interrogative sentences that begin with words like who, what, when, where, why, and how. These types of questions can function differently within a sentence, acting as either the subject or the object. This article aims to clarify the role of WH questions in sentences and provide examples to illustrate their usage.
WH Questions as the Subject of a Sentence
When a WH question begins a sentence and acts as the subject, it is referred to as a subject question. The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in the sentence. In a WH question, the WH word sometimes acts as the subject.
Example
Subject Question:
Who is coming to dinner? In this sentence, "who" is the subject asking who is coming to dinner.WH Questions as the Object of a Sentence
WH questions can also function as the object of a sentence and are referred to as object questions. The object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. In WH questions, when acting as the object, the WH word follows the verb.
Example
Object Question:
What are you eating? Here "what" is the object receiving the action of "eating" performed by "you."Understanding Questions as Subjects and Objects in Sentences
Questions can be the subject or object of sentences in various contexts. Even when directly or indirectly quoted, the WH questions still serve as the subject or object based on their function within the sentence.
Direct Quotation
When a WH question is directly quoted, it can be used as the subject or object:
"Who is she?" is the question. The question is the subject. He asked, "Who is she?" The question is an object.When the question is indirectly quoted, the word order changes but the function of the WH words as subject or object remains:
"Who she is" is the question. The question is the subject. He asked who she is. The question is an object.Indirect Quotation
When the question is indirectly quoted, the WH words still act as the subject or object:
She is wondering who she is. "Who" is the subject. He asked who she is. "Who" is the object.Conclusion
Understanding the role of WH questions as subjects and objects in sentences can enhance your ability to analyze and construct grammatically correct sentences. Whether directly or indirectly quoted, WH questions can function either as the subject or the object based on the sentence structure.
Keyword: wh questions, sentence structure, subject and object questions