Say what

[fenglish]

Hi,

Mary: John, why do you say that?
John: Say what?

As John said, Say is a verb, what is a question.

A. What do you say?
B. You say what?

In above sentences, A is correct, B is incorrect,

Thought from the grammar, I think that "Say what" is the same as "B".

But I also think that "Say what" is correct, in other words, if B is incorrect, then "Say what" is incorrect.

So, what is problem?

Thanks.

[Kondorosi]

The only problem is the ungrammaticality of B. The question word comes first in interrogatives and you also need a do-support.

[2006]

Hi,

Mary: John, why do you say that?
John: Say what? John is asking what "that" refers to.

As John said, Say is a verb, what is a question.

A. What do you say?
B. You say what?
In above sentences, A is correct, B is incorrect, You are right. What B. said is not a helpful response. B. is asking A. the same question that A asked B., but in a different way.

Though from the grammar, I think that "Say what" is the same as "B". no
John is asking Mary to clarify what he said.
B. is asking A. what A would say.


So, what is the problem?

Thanks.

2006

[sarat_106]

2006

I agree. But I think the reply by John can otherwise be interpreted by putting an exclamation (!) instead of a question mark. In that case 'Say shat!' is mainly used as a mildly rude phrase meaning: What are you talking about/referring to?