How much of the book have you read? - I'm on page ten.

[Rover_KE]

I don't know what textbooks you use, but 'make a question' is very rarely used. Click here.

 

[Alexey86]

I don't know what textbooks you use, but 'make a question' is very rarely used. Click here.

I can't find the source right now, but I've certainly come across "How to make a question out of a statement?" I used "make" in this sense.

 

[emsr2d2]

That's completely different. Using "to make something out of something else" can be used with just about any two nouns. It means "to convert". On its own, "make a question" isn't correct.

 

[Alexey86]

"make a question" isn't correct.

What do you think about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auhSZTc7ZPQ?

 

[jutfrank]

There must be other examples of answer phrases that don't have perfectly matching questions. Is that really so unusual?

I think so, yes. I'm still thinking about this.

People who respond to questions in everyday conversation normally provide the information they think is being asked for, not a precisely patterned response to the form in which the question was asked.

Well, both, actually. Providing a 'direct' answer is also really quite normal. It's the most economical way to answer a question, especially when there is ellipsis involved.

The point of my questioning here is to figure out how How far through (the book) are you? could sound unnatural to a native speaker, when I'm half way through doesn't. Part of my job relies on understanding the use of varieties of English other than my own, which is largely why I'm asking.

 

[jutfrank]

I can't find the source right now, but I've certainly come across "How to make a question out of a statement?" I used "make" in this sense.

Yes, it's quite clear to me what you meant by' make a question', Alexey, in the sense of 'formulate an interrogative sentence'.

The phrase 'make a question' is something I'd naturally use when teaching grammar. I have no issue with it.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It must be. Far and through don't collocate in American English.

I'd at least throw in an it, e.g. "How far through it have you gotten?"

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I meant "make a question" as it is used in textbooks.

Sometimes you can make a question out of a statement. For instance.

- from this statement: I wonder what time it is.

- you can make this question: What time is it?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I can't find the source right now, but I've certainly come across "How to make a question out of a statement?" I used "make" in this sense.

Yes. See #29.

 

[jutfrank]

I'd at least throw in an it, e.g. "How far through it have you gotten?"

Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'at least', Charlie? Does it still feel awkward, even with it? Thanks.