in this sentence.... What are you suggesting?
what's the function and category of what?
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello,
(1) My books tell me that "what" in "What are you suggesting?"
is called an
interrogative pronoun.
(a) It's called "interrogative" because it asks a question.
(b) It's called "pronoun" because it takes the place of any word or
group of words that can be used like a noun.
(i) Pro= "for" + noun
(i) Tom: What are you suggesting?
Sue: That we go to the beach. (noun clause)
Are you suggesting
that we go to the beach?
So "what" refers to "that we go to the beach" (for example).
(c) If you put it in regular order, you will see its function in your
sentence:
You + are suggesting + what?
You = subject.
are suggesting = verb (phrase)
what = direct object.
Sincerely,
James
