Grammar: object clauses. Reported speech (review)

Object clauses

Some verbs are followed by object clauses. An object clause answers the question: What?

I know that he speaks French, (know what?): that he speaks

French is an object clause.

He told me that he had succeeded, (told me about what?):

that he had succeeded is an object clause.

I don't know where he lives, (don't know what?): where he

lives is an object clause.

Object clauses can begin:

a) with a question word

I know where he lives.

b) with if or whether

I don't know whether (if) he is married.

c) with that

I know that the world is round.

Object clauses which begin with a question word

Question

Where does she live? What did he say? When do they arrive?

Object clause

(a) I don't know where she lives.

(b) I couldn't hear what he said.

(c) Do you know when they arrive?

In (a): where she lives is the object of the verb know. Do not use question order in an object clause. In an object clause, the subject precedes the verb.

Notice: does, did anddo are used in questions but not in object clauses.

Question S V

Who lives there? What happened? Who is at the door?

Object clause

S V

(d) I don't know who lives there.

(e) Please tell me what happened.

(f) I wonder who is at the door.

In (d) the word order is the same in both the question and the object clause because who is the subject in both.

Question Object clause

Who is she? (g) I don't know who she is.

Who are those men? (h) I don't know who those men are.

Whose house is that? (i) I wonder whose house that is.

In (g):she is the subject of the question, so it is placed in front of the verb be in the object clause.

Object clauses which begin with a question word often come after

a) I'd like to know... I don't know... I'm not sure... I don't understand... I've no idea... I don't remember... I wonder... He said/asked... etc.

I've no idea where she lives. I wonder why she is absent.

b) Do you know...? Do you understand...? Do you remem­ber...? Could you tell me...? Will you ask him...? Has he told you...? Did she ask you...? etc.

Do you know what this word means? Could you tell me what time it is?

c) (Please) tell me... (please) ask her...

Please tell me where she lives. Ask her why she doesn't come.

I. Complete the sentences by changing the questions to object clauses.

eg Where did Paul go? I don't know where Paul went.

1. (How old is he?) I don't know... 2. (What was he talking about?) I wonder... 3. (Where do you live?) Please tell me... 4. (What

did he say?) I'd like to know... 5. (When are they coming?) Do you know...? 6. (How much does it cost?) I can't remember... 7. (Which one does he want?) Let's ask him... 8. (Who is coming to the party?) I don't know... 9. (Whose pen is this?) Do you know...? 10. (Who is the mayor ofNew York City?) I don't know... 11. (How old does a person have to be to get a driver's licence.) I need to find out... 12. (Why didn't Tom come to the party?) I don't know... 13. (How much does it cost to park here?) Do you know...? 14. (What qualifications do I need?) I want to know... 15. (Where can I change some money?) Could you tell me...? 16. (What time did he leave?) Do you know...? 17.(Where does Jack live?) Have you any idea...? 18. (Where is the post office?) Could you tell me...? 19. (Why did Tom leave?) I don't know... 20. (Where is he?) I don't know... 21. (Where did he go?) I don't know... 22. (Where does he live?) I don't remember... 23. (What did he say?) I didn't hear... 24. (How much does this book cost?) Could you please tell me...? 25. (What country is Anna from?) Do you know...? 26. (Why was Kate, absent yesterday?) Do you know...? 27. (How far is it to Chicago?) I wonder... 28. (When does the semester end?) Can you tell me...? 29. (What is Sue talking about?) I don't understand... 30. (When is he going to leave?) I wonder... 31. (Where can I buy a good radio?) Do you know...? 32. (Who is she?) I don't know... 33. (What time is flight 677 supposed to arrive?) Can you tell me...? 34. (Whose books are those?) Do you know...? 35. (Who did Sue invite?) I don't know... 36. (Who is that woman?) I wonder... 37. (How long has Ted been living here?) Do you know...? 38. (What is a clause?) Don't you know...? 39. (Who broke the window?) Do you know...? 40. (Who is in that room?) I don't know... 41. (Where can I catch the bus?) Could you please tell me...? 42. (Which team has won?) Bill asks... 43. (When are you coming back?) Bill wants to know... 44. (What platform does the train leave from?) He doesn't know... 45. (Why did you say that?) I don't understand.... 46. (Who am I?) He doesn't know... 47. (Whose car is that?) I've no idea... 48. (How old are their children?) I can't ever remember... 49. (Whose house is that?) I wonder.. 50. (What happened?) Tell me... 51. (Who(m) did you see at the party?) Tell me... 52. (Who(m) did Helen talk to?) Do you know...? 53. (Who lives in that apartment?) Do you know...? 54. (When are they leaving?) Ask her...

V.Make a question from the given sentence. The words in brackets should be the answer to the question you make. Use a question word (who, what, how, etc.) Then change the question to an object clause.

1. That man is (Mr Robertson). Question: Who is that man?

Object clause: I want to know who that man is.

2. George lives (in Los Angeles). Question:

Object clause: I want to know...

3. Tom will be here (next week). Question:

Object clause: Please tell me...

4. He is coming (because he wants to visit his friends). Question:

Object clause: Please tell me...

5. He'll be on flight (645, not flight 742). Question:

Object clause: Please tell me...

6. (Jim Hunter) is going to meet him at the airport. Question:

Object clause: I wonder...

7. Jim Hunter is (his roommate). Question:

Object clause: Please tell me...

8. It is (350 miles) to Denver from here. Question:

Object clause: I need to know...

9. Ann bought (a new dictionary). Question:

Object clause: Do you know...?

10. Jack was late to class (because he missed the bus). Question:

Object clause: The teacher wants to know...

11. That is (Ann's) pen. Question:

Object clause: Tom wants to know...

12. Alex saw (Mr Frost) at the meeting. Question:

Object clause: I don't know...

13. (Jack) saw Mrs Frost at the meeting. Question:

Object clause: I don't know...

14. Alice likes (this) book best, (not that one). Question:

Object clause: I want to know...

15. The plane is supposed to land (at 7:14 p.m.). Question:

Object clause: Could you tell me...?

II. Make questions and object clauses.

Student A: Make a question from the given sentence. The words in brackets should be the answer to your question.

Student B: Keep your book closed. Change Student A's ques­tion into an object clause. Begin your sentence with "(Name of Student A) wants to know..."

1. Fred lives (in an apartment.)

Student A: Where does Fred live?

Student B: (Yoko) wants to know where Fred lives.

2. It's (ten o'clock).

Student A: What time is it?

Student B: (Roberto) wants to know what time it is.

3. Tom wants (a watch) for his birthday.

4. Jane gets to school (by bus).

5. Vacation starts (on June 3rd).

6. Sue left class early (because she didn't feel well).

7. The movie is going to last (two hours and ten minutes).

8. Mary called (Jim).

9. (Mary) called Jim.

10. Alice talked to the teacher about (the test).

11. Alice talked to (the teacher) about the test.

12. (Alice) talked to the teacher about the test.

13. Sue's plane will arrive (at 8:05).

14. (Two) students will be absent from class tomorrow.

15. There are (over 10,000) lakes in Minnesota.

16. It's (twenty-five miles) to Springfield from here.

17. Jane (studied) last night.

18. We're supposed to buy (this) book, (not that book.)

19. Ann likes (chocolate) ice cream the best.

20. That woman is (Mrs Anderson).

21. (Mrs Anderson) is talking on the telephone.

22. That is (Sam's) notebook.

24. (Jessica's) car was stolen.

25. Jack's new car is (red).

26. The concert begins (at 7.00).

27. Dick is leaving (on Friday.)

28. Tom likes (swimming).

Object clauses which begin with whether or if

Yes/No Question Will she come?

Does he need help?

Object clause

(a)I don't know whether she will come.

I don't know if she will come. (b)I wonder whether he needs help.

I wonder if he needs help.

(c) I wonder whether or not she will come.

(d) I wonder whether she will come or not.

(e)I wonder if she will come or not.

When ayes/no question is changed to an object clause, whether or if is used to introduce the clause.

(Note: whether is more acceptable in formal English, but if is quite commonly used, especially in speaking.)

In (c), (d), and (e): notice the patterns when or not is used.

I. Change the questions to object clauses.

1. (Did Steve go to the bank?) I don't know if (whether) Steve went to the bank. 2. (Where did Steve go?) I don't know where Steve went. 3. (Is Karen at home?) Do you know...? 4. (Where is Karen?) Do you know...? 5. (How is Pat feeling today?) I wonder... 6. (Is Pat feeling better?) I wonder... 7. (Does the bus stop here?) Do you know...? 8. (Where does the bus stop?) I wonder... 9. (Why is Elena absent today?) The teacher wants to know... 10. (Is Elena going to be absent again tomorrow?) I wonder... 11. (Where did Janet go last night?) Do you know...? 12. (Should I buy that book?)

I wonder... 13. (Which book should I buy?) I wonder... 14. (Can Jerry speak French?) I don't know... 15. (How much does that book cost?) Do you know...? 16. (Is there life on other planets?) jsfo one knows... 17. (Are we going to have a test tomorrow?) Let's ask the teacher... 18. (Is there a Santa Claus?) The little boy wants to know... 19. (Does sound travel faster than light?) Do you know...? 20. (What's on TV tonight?) I wonder... 21. (Will it rain tomorrow?) I wonder... 22. (Why is the sky blue?) Annie wants to know... 23. (Does the store accept credit cards?) Do you know...? 24. (Do insects have ears?) The little girl wants to know... 25. (When will the next earthquake occur in California?) No one knows... 26. (Do animals have the same emotions as human beings?) The little boy wants to know... 27. (How do dolphins communicate with each other?) Do scientists know...? 28. (Can people communicate with dolphins?) I want to find out... 29. (Have beings from outer space ever visited the earth?) I wonder...? 30. (Is there a pay phone in this building?) Do you know...? 31. (Does your sister speak French?) I wonder... 32. (Is this information correct?) Do you know...? 33. (Does this bus go downtown?) Could you please tell me...? 34. (How long does a butterfly live?) I wonder... 35. (Where is the library?) Could you tell me...? 36. (How far is it to Florida?) I wonder... 37. (Does she need any help?) I wonder... 38. (When is Flight 62 expected to arrive?) Could you please tell me...? 39. (What is he doing?) I wonder... 40. (Who took my dictionary?) Do you know...? 41. (Will people live on the moon someday?) I wonder... 42. (Has she been waiting long?) I'd like to know...

II. Imagine you overheard these conversations in a restaurant. In your curiosity, what other information would you like to know?

"He earns over one hundred thousand pounds a year."

I wonder what his job is.

I wonder what he spends it on.

I'd love to know where he lives.

a. "She's had so many husbands, she forgets their names."

b. "I've never worked a single day in my life."

c. "And then a complete stranger kissed me on both cheeks."

d. "I find it takes me about six weeks to learn a language."

III. Write some indirect questions about the following newspape, headlines.

Man wins record amount on football pools.

I wonder what he's going to do with it. We don't know how much he won.

a. Round-the-world yachtsman returns home. I wonder... I'd like to know...

b. President resigns!

I wonder... I can't imagine...

c. Oldest man in the world celebrates birthday. We don Ч know... I wonder....

d. Bank robber escapes from prison. Nobody knows... I wonder...

e. Teachers promised pay rise by government. I wonder... I'd like to know...

Object clauses which begin with that Object Clause

Statement

(Expression of an

idea or fact)

He is a good actor.

The world is round.

(a) I think that he is a good actor. (b)l think he is a good actor, (c) We know (that) the world is round.

In (a): that he is a good actor is an object clause. It is used ^ the object of the verb think.

The word that, when it introduces an object clause, has no meaning in itself. It simply marks the beginning of the clause Frequently it is omitted, as in (b), especially in speaking. (If used in speaking, it is unstressed.)

"That clauses" are frequently used as the objects of ver^ < which express mental activity. (See the list below.)

1. Common verbs followed by "that clauses".

agree, assume, believe, conclude, decide, discover, doul dream, fear, feel, find out, forget, guess, hear, hope, imagii, know, learn, notice, predict, pretend, prove, read, realize, reca

say, tell, regret, remember, say, show, suppose, suspect, tell, think and others.

I hope that you can come to the game. I know that Jack has won the game. Mary realizes that she should study harder. I dreamed that I was on the top of a mountain. I think that Mr Jones is a good teacher.

2. Common expressions followed by "that clauses".

be amazed, be afraid, be angry, be ashamed, be aware, be astonished, be certain, be convinced, be disappointed, be delighted, be furious, be glad, be happy, be impressed, be lucky, be pleased, be proud, be sad, be sorry, be sure, be surprised, be worried and others.

I was sorry that I hadn't seen the performance. I'm afraid she will miss the tram.

3. "77га/ clauses" may come after nouns.

It's a pity that he is going to be late. It's a fact that children like sweets.

I. Complete these sentences with object clauses.

1. He feels angry. It's not surprising (that) he feels angry.

2. She has resigned from her job. It's a shame...

3. You don't tmst me. It's annoying...

4. You are feeling better. I'm glad... 3. She's upset. I'm sorry...

6. He didn't get the contract. He told me...

7. It's a fair price. He believes...

8. You're leaving. He has guessed...

9. She's been a fool. She agrees...

10. She passed the test. She is pleased... 11.1 haven't seen that film. I regret... 12. It's true. I feel...

П. Complete the following with your own ideas by using "that clauses."

A. 1. There are several reasons why I'm studying English.

One reason is that... Another reason is... A third reason is... 2. I have had three problems since I came here. One problem is that... Another problem is that... The third problem I have had is that... 3. One advantage of owning your car is... Another advantage is... 4. One disadvantage, however, of owning your own car is... 5. There are two reasons why I do not want to go out tonight. The first reason is... The second reason is...

B. 1. I'm sorry (that)... 2. I'm glad (that)... 3. I'm disappointed (that)... 4. I'm pleased (that)... 5. I'm surprised (that)... 6. I'm sure (that)... 6. I'm amazed (that)... 7. I'm happy (that)... 8. Yesterday I was annoyed (that)... 9. I'm afraid (that).. 10. It is surprising (that)... 11. It is true (that)... 12. It is obvious (that)...

C. I.I doubt that... 2.1 believe that... 3. I've discovered that... 4. Do you realize that...? 5. Do you think that...? 6. Have you ever noticed that...? 8. I hope that... 9. Last night I dreamed that... 10. Did you know that...? 11. I suspect that... 12. I guess that... 13. I've heard that... 14. I can prove that...