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Amin
Inversion Clarification Hello Everyone 
I need more clarification about inversion of the second part in an interrogative sentence

I've read once that we don't use the inversion after the question form " could you " like in " could you tell me what TIME IS ? "

Also , we don't use the inversion in some indirect questions like "I wonder what HE IS going to do "

Any explications about the usage and disuse of the inversion please ??

Comments · 3

1

Hi Amin,

The most typical use of inversion in the English language is with auxiliary verbs, such as will, would, and could. 

For example: I could tell you the time. But when you ask it as a question: Could you tell me the time?

See how the pronoun (underlined) and the auxiliary verb (bolded) switch? This usage is the same for questions using will, would, should, do, and other auxiliary verbs. 


We also generally use it in English for the verb "to be." 

Are you going to the store?

I am going to the store.


We only don't use it in verbal questions when the verb is not an auxiliary verb, nor "to be." 

John ran home?

John ran home.


Feel free to PM me with any more questions!


0
The correct phrase would be: 'could you tell me what time it is?'
0
Could you tell me what is time ? = is correct ?

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