間接疑問文は、疑問詞が常に文中にあるとは限らず、文頭に置かれることもあります。今回は間接疑問文の疑問詞の位置に注目してお伝えします。
まずは、間接疑問文とは何か、簡単に確認しておきましょう。
疑問文を文の一部として使った文を、間接疑問文と呼びます。
例）I did not know ＋ Where was Tom born (２つの文）
→ I did not know where Tom was born. （間接疑問文）
2つの文を結ぶには接続詞が必要です。
例）I was very happy because I passed the test.
疑問詞(5W1H)を使った間接疑問文は、「疑問詞が接続詞の代わりをしている」と考えると、分かりやすいかもしれません。
疑問詞の後は S＋V～のように平叙文(肯定文と否定文のこと)の順番になることに注意しましょう。
問題
次の二つの文を一つにまとめましょう。
1.
I did not know
＋
When did Tom move to NY?
2.
I know
＋
Why did Mary quit her job?
3.
Could you tell me
＋
How far is it from here to the station?
4.
Do you think
＋
How many people will come to the concert?
5.
Do you imagine
＋
Who is that man?
6.
Do you know
＋
How old is Tom's father?
7.
Do you expect
＋
Who will come to our place?
8.
Please tell me
＋
What did you major in?
* major in: ～を専攻する
9.
Do you hope
＋
Where will we live?
10.
Don't ask me
＋
Why is Tom angry?
解答と解説
疑問詞を用いた間接疑問文の疑問詞の位置に注目すると、次の2種類があります。
①「～ 疑問詞＋S'＋V'」
②「疑問詞＋do you ～ ＋ S' ＋ V ' 」
①「～ 疑問詞＋S'＋V'」
I did not know ＋ Where was Tom born
→ I did not know where Tom was born.
②「疑問詞＋do you ～＋ S' ＋ V ' 」
Do you think ＋ How old is Tom
→ How old do you think Tom is?
こことても大事！
どちらになるかは、もう一方の動詞(know / think)によって決まります。
think / believe / hope / imagine /expect のような「内容を問われる動詞」「Yes/Noで答えられない動詞」を用いた疑問文は、疑問詞が文頭にくることに注意しましょう。
1.
I did not know
＋
When did Tom move to NY?
→ I did not know when Tom moved to NY.
2.
I know
＋
Why did Mary quit her job?
→ I know why Mary quit her job.
3.
Could you tell me
＋
How far is it from here to the station?
→ Could you tell me how far it is from here to the station?
4.
Do you think
＋
How many people will come to the concert?
→ How many people do you think will come to the concert?
注意
4. や 7. のように、疑問詞が主語になっている場合、疑問文でも肯定文と同じ語順になることに注意しましょう。(4. は how many people が、7. は who が主語)
詳しくはこちら↓を参考にしてください。
5.
Do you imagine
＋
Who is that man?
→ Who do you imagine that man is?
6.
Do you know
＋
How old is Tom's father?
→ Do you know how old Tom's father is?
7.
Do you expect
＋
Who will come to our place?
→ Who do you expect will come to our place?
8.
Please tell me
＋
What did you major in?
* major in: ～を専攻する
→ Please tell me what you majored in.
9.
Do you hope
＋
Where will we live?
→ Where do you hope we will live?
10.
Don't ask me
＋
Why is Tom angry?
→ Don't ask me why Tom is angry.
間接疑問文を使うことで、より丁寧に依頼したり状況を伝えることができます。
使いこなせると便利ですね。
お読みいただき、ありがとうございました。
こちら↓も参考にしてください。
