This document provides an introduction to interrogative clauses. It defines what an interrogative clause is, noting that it is a subordinate clause that begins with a question word or "if" and must be attached to a main clause. The document contrasts interrogative clauses with questions, explaining that clauses follow subject-verb structure while questions use question word-auxiliary-subject-verb form. It also lists common main clauses that can introduce interrogative clauses such as "Do you know..." and "I wonder...". In conclusion, the document emphasizes watching syntax when using interrogative clauses and introduces their role as sentence components.

1. Intro to
Interrogative Clauses
Peter Mangiaracina
1

2. Peter Mangiaracina
★ The Problem
★ A Note About Clauses
★ Two Types of Clauses
★ The Structure of a Question
★ The Structure of a Clause / Sentence
★ The Structure of an Interrogative Clause
★ Interrogatives with “If”
★ Interrogative Clauses in Questions.
★ Common Introductory Main Clauses
★ Conclusion
Introduction
2

3. Peter Mangiaracina
• Let’s clear up a problem I often hear.
• Question: What time does the store open?
Answer: I’m sorry. I don’t know what time does the store open. (Incorrect)
I’m sorry. I don’t know what time the store opens. (Correct)
• The second answer is correct because it is an interrogative clause, not
a question.
*See my presentations on Basic English Structure and Phrases, Clauses and Sentences for more information
3
The Problem

4. Peter Mangiaracina
• Clauses make up sentences.
• Every clause must have a subject and a conjugated verb, and
frequently an object. It usually takes this form:
A Note about Clauses
4
Subject Verb (Object)
*See my presentations on Basic English Structure and Phrases, Clauses and Sentences for more information

5. Peter Mangiaracina
Two Types of Clauses
• There are main clauses and subordinate clauses.
• A main clause can stand alone as a sentence
Example: The student comes to class.
• A subordinate clause must be attached to a main clause or it makes no sense
Example: When the student comes to class…
• An interrogative clause is a subordinate clause. It begins with a question word or
“if” and must be attached to a main clause.
Example: When the student comes to class, he brings his book…or… The
student brings his book when he comes to class.
5

6. Peter Mangiaracina
Question
• A question has a specific structure which usually follows this formula:
Question Word Auxiliary Subject Verb
What kind of book did Mr. Mishima buy?
6
Auxiliary Subject Verb (Object)
Did Mr. Mishima buy a book?

7. Peter Mangiaracina
Interrogative Clause
• An interrogative clause is not a question. It follows the rules for a
clause:
Subject Verb (Object)
• With the addition of a question word (or if) and any other components that go with it:
Subject VerbQuestion Word
Mr. Mishima bought a book
what kind of book Mr. Mishima bought
7

8. Peter Mangiaracina
Interrogatives with If
• If a yes/no question is asked, there is no question word. The interrogative
clause will begin with “if.”
• Did Mark go to the meeting last Friday?
I don’t know if he went last Friday.
• Will Simon sing with Garfunkel again?
I have no idea if Simon will sing with Garfunkel again.
8

9. Peter Mangiaracina
Interrogative Clauses in Questions
• A question can contain several clauses
• You can only have one question structure (QW + AUX + SUB + VERB)
• All other clauses in a question must take the SUB + VERB form.
9
Auxiliary Subject Verb Subject VerbQuestion Word
what kind of book Mr. Mishima bought?Do you know
QUESTION INTERROGATIVE CLAUSE

10. Peter Mangiaracina
Introductory Main Clauses
• Do you know…/ I (don’t) know…
Do you know why Harry went out with Sally?
• I wonder…
I wonder if the Yankees will win the world series next year.
• I have no idea…
Hey! Don’t ask me. I have no idea what kind of phone your sister bought.
• I’m (not) sure…
I’m not sure when the stores open.
• Guess… (when you want to surprise someone with (usually good) news
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
10
• These common main clauses will frequently signal an interrogative clause

11. Peter Mangiaracina
Conclusion
Watch your syntax when using interrogative clauses.
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences.
Clauses contain a subject and conjugated verb.
There are main clauses and subordinate clauses.
Interrogative clauses are subordinate clauses; they must be attached to a main clause.
Interrogative clauses start with a question word or “if” followed by a subject and a
conjugated verb.
There are several common introductory main clauses that signal interrogative clauses.
11