Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    7

    Question Which one is correct?

    Just want to know which ones are correct, please help me with the following sentences.

    1. Do you know which one my favourite is?
    OR
    2. Do you know which one is my favourite?

    1. Who do you think the most good-looking guy is?

    OR
    2. Who do you think is the most good-looking guy?

    Thanks a lot!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    19

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    I am also a esl student. I am not quite sure but these two sentences
    Do you know which one my favorite is?
    Who do you think the most good looking guy is?
    are probably correct.
    can somebody else explain plz?

  3. #3
    riverkid is offline Banned
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,064
    Teacher

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by yukiko1437 View Post
    Just want to know which ones are correct, please help me with the following sentences.
    1. Do you know which one my favourite is?
    OR
    2. Do you know which one is my favourite?
    1. Who do you think the most good-looking guy is?
    OR
    2. Who do you think is the most good-looking guy?
    Thanks a lot!
    Konnichiwa, Yukikosan. Genki desuka.

    To become a really successful language learner as opposed to a test taker, students must realize that it often isn't a matter of "correct" versus "incorrect".

    Both forms are used in English and both are correct. But what is correct differs depending on how and where language is used. It's more a matter of appropriate than correct.

    'ikimasuka' isn't always the best choice for every possible language situation in Japanese, is it, Yukiko?

    Now to your question. Normally, when there are double question forms, "do you know" and "which is ...", we tend to only keep one question form marker. For both pairs though, I'd say that both are in relatively common use.

    My feeling is that as the situation gets more formal, we tend to drop the second question form into a statement. Now, having said that, I don't think that all indirect questions are always treated in this same fashion. Sometimes, without the correct intonation, some would sound distinctly odd, as in number 1.

    1) ??Do you know where is he?

    2) Do you know where he is?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    7
    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Thumbs up Re: Which one is correct?

    Thanks so much for your thorough explanation.
    Although I know "Do you know which one my favourite is?" and "Who do you think the most good-looking guy is?" are gramatically correct, I find it sound kinda odd at times. But anyway, thanks lots ^__^

    Yukiko

  5. #5
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • Philippines
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    35,345
    Teacher

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    I'd use 'best' instead of 'most good'.

  6. #6
    BobK's Avatar
    BobK is offline Harmless drudge
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • UK
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    12,934
    Teacher

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    I'd use 'best' instead of 'most good'.
    So would I, normally, but don't overlook the hyphen. I'd say 'most good-looking' and 'best-looking' were equally acceptable.

    b

  7. #7
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • Philippines
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    35,345
    Teacher

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    I agree that 'most' is possible and was just suggesting an alternative- sorry for not making that clear.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    7
    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    Thanks a lot!

  9. #9
    curmudgeon's Avatar
    curmudgeon is offline Moderator
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    1,650

    Default Re: Which one is correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by yukiko1437 View Post
    Just want to know which ones are correct, please help me with the following sentences.
    1. Do you know which one my favourite is?
    OR
    2. Do you know which one is my favourite?
    1. Who do you think the most good-looking guy is?
    OR
    2. Who do you think is the most good-looking guy?
    Thanks a lot!
    Well, just to throw a spanner in, I think #2 in both cases is best and more natural. I also agree with Tdol regarding 'most good-looking. It's a bit long-winded. Substitute 'best looking' or even 'handsomest'

Similar Threads

  1. Are these sentences correct?
    By Anonymous in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-Jun-2008, 02:59
  2. correct answer
    By stunned in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 15-Mar-2007, 03:42
  3. Please correct
    By esophea in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 21-Jan-2006, 04:16
  4. Are All IELTS Answers Correct?
    By artast in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-Aug-2005, 23:46
  5. Is it correct?
    By Abusaad in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 26-Jan-2005, 20:43

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0