Lesson focus
Wh-clauses, whether-clauses, embedded question order, fused relatives and complex nominal clauses
Advanced aim: Package propositions and questions as noun clauses while controlling embedded word order and fused-relative meanings.
What-clause as subject
A what-clause can function as a noun phrase and serve as the subject of a sentence.
- Example: What matters most is whether the evidence can be independently verified.
- In another context: What matters most is whether the supporting material can be independently verified.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whether after preposition
Use whether rather than if after a preposition.
- Example: The debate focused on whether the policy was financially sustainable.
- In another context: The debate focused on whether the disclosure procedure was financially sustainable.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whether + to-infinitive
Whether can be followed by a to-infinitive; if cannot normally be used this way.
- Example: We haven't decided whether to renew the contract.
- In another context: We haven't decided whether to renew the service agreement.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Embedded question order
Use statement word order inside embedded questions, not direct-question inversion.
- Example: Could you explain why the figures have changed so dramatically?
- In another context: Could you explain why the survey results have changed so dramatically?
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Do-support removed
Embedded questions do not use do/does/did inversion.
- Example: I wonder what caused the sudden drop in demand.
- In another context: Alternative case study: I wonder what caused the sudden drop in demand.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whoever as noun clause
Whoever can introduce a noun clause meaning anyone who.
- Example: Whoever takes over the project will inherit several unresolved issues.
- In another context: Whoever takes over the renovation programme will inherit several unresolved issues.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whatever as noun clause
Whatever can mean anything that or no matter what.
- Example: Whatever you decide, make sure the reasoning is documented.
- In another context: Separate scenario: Whatever you decide, make sure the reasoning is documented.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
The fact that
The fact that turns a proposition into a noun phrase that can be discussed or evaluated.
- Example: The fact that costs have risen does not necessarily mean the plan should be abandoned.
- In another context: Follow-up case: The fact that costs have risen does not necessarily mean the plan should be abandoned.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
How + adjective
How + adjective/adverb can introduce an embedded exclamative or degree clause.
- Example: The review shows how difficult it is to measure long-term impact.
- In another context: The internal evaluation shows how difficult it is to measure long-term impact.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Whether or not clause
Whether or not can introduce a noun clause expressing two alternatives.
- Example: Whether or not the merger proceeds remains uncertain.
- In another context: Regional example: Whether or not the merger proceeds remains uncertain.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Wh-clauses, whether-clauses, embedded question order, fused relatives and complex nominal clauses
_____ is whether the audit evidence can be independently verified.
The debate focused on _____ the safeguarding framework was financially sustainable.
We haven't decided _____ the lease.
Alternative case study: Could you explain _____ so dramatically?
Regional example: I wonder _____ the sudden drop in demand.
_____ takes over the pilot scheme will inherit several unresolved issues.
Follow-up case: _____ you decide, make sure the reasoning is documented.
Alternative case study: _____ costs have risen does not necessarily mean the plan should be abandoned.
The quality review shows _____ to measure long-term impact.
Separate scenario: _____ the merger proceeds remains uncertain.
Wh-clauses, whether-clauses, embedded question order, fused relatives and complex nominal clauses
_____ is whether the available evidence can be independently verified.
The debate focused on _____ the procurement rule was financially sustainable.
We haven't decided _____ the licensing agreement.
Regional example: Could you explain _____ so dramatically?
Separate scenario: I wonder _____ the sudden drop in demand.
_____ takes over the research initiative will inherit several unresolved issues.
Alternative case study: _____ you decide, make sure the reasoning is documented.
Regional example: _____ costs have risen does not necessarily mean the plan should be abandoned.
The independent assessment shows _____ to measure long-term impact.
Follow-up case: _____ the merger proceeds remains uncertain.
Wh-clauses, whether-clauses, embedded question order, fused relatives and complex nominal clauses
What matters most is whether the documentary record can be independently verified.
The debate focused on whether the staffing policy was financially sustainable.
We haven't decided whether to renew the procurement contract.
Separate scenario: Could you explain why the figures have changed so dramatically?
Follow-up case: I wonder what caused the sudden drop in demand.
Whoever takes over the rollout will inherit several unresolved issues.
Regional example: Whatever you decide, make sure the reasoning is documented.
Separate scenario: The fact that costs have risen does not necessarily mean the plan should be abandoned.
The compliance audit shows how difficult it is to measure long-term impact.
Alternative case study: Whether or not the merger proceeds remains uncertain.