insert phrase (do you think)

[dido4]

I got the sentenses from a grmma book.

Which do you think is Ben?
What animal do you think is cute?

1.Are the sentences right?

2.Do they have to be rewrite like this:
Which do you think Ben is?
What animal do you think cute is?

Some, indirect sentences, like the following sentences:

What do you think that is?
Where does Ted think he can hide?
How old do you think I am?
What day does he think your birthday is?

I don't know the rules.
I mean I don't understand why the top 2 sentences are written like that, not like this:

Who do you think I am?

Thank you

[Tdol]

Which do you think is Ben?
Which do you think Ben is?

It's a mistake in the book, Dido. In indirect questions, the word order of the other examples is correct.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Which do you think is Ben?
Which do you think is Ben

It's a mistake in the book, Dido. In indirect questions, the word order of the # the other examples is correct.

I think an edit is needed here. Your two examples look the same.

[curmudgeon]

Second one is minus a ?, I think Tdol's been on the sauce.

[zahari]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Which do you think is Ben?
Which do you think is Ben

It's a mistake in the book, Dido. In indirect questions, the word order of the # the other examples is correct.

I think

Which do you think is Ben?

Which do you think Ben is?

Because the second one is an indirect question and we must follow affirmative word order.

Am I right?

[curmudgeon]

I don't like either of them.

Who(m) do you think is Ben?

Which one do you think is Ben?

Sit easier for me. I will wait to be corrected

[zahari]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

I don't like either of them.
Who(m) do you think is Ben?
Which one do you think is Ben?
Sit easier for me. I will wait to be corrected

Again, I think they should be in the affirmative, since the verb think is an introductory verb and it should be followed by an indirect question.

Who do you think Ben is?

Which one do you think Ben is?

Whereas, as direct questions:

Who is Ben?

Which one is Ben?

Can sb confirm?

[curmudgeon]

Well, Who do you think Ben is? could mean what is his position

Who(m) do you think is Ben? to me means you are being asked to identify Ben, perhaps at a crowded place.

[zahari]

As you put it, yes, they sound ok to me too. I just can't justify the second in terms of grammar. Whom becomes the object of think? I think I'm a bit lost

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

Second one is minus a ?, I think Tdol's been on the sauce.

I'm afraid I managed that cock-up in sauceless mode.