Wh- Q formed Noun Clauses
Your friend: What should we have for dinner?
You: I don't know...
I don't know what we should have (for dinner).
I don't know what to have (for dinner).
Your friend: Is the restaurant open?
You: I can't tell...
I can't tell if the restaurant is open (or not).
Your friend: Are you tired of eating the same thing every day?
You: I'm not sure...
I'm not sure if I am (tired of eating the same thing).
The teacher said, "This assignment is due tomorrow."
The teacher said that the assignment is due tomorrow.
I heard that...
Not a Subjunctive
Your friend: What does durian fruit smell like?
You: I don't want to imagine...
I don't want to imagine what it smells like.
Your friend: Do we have any homework?
You: Ask the teacher...
Ask the teacher if we have any (homework).
Your friend: Did John get the job?
You: Let's find out.
Let's find out if he got the job.
John said, "I stayed up all night to finish this project."
John said that he had stayed up all night to finish the project.
Clair insisted that...
This is a Subjunctive
Your friend: How much money does one make?
You: It's not polite to ask...
It's not polite to ask how much money one makes.
Your friend: Can I return a shirt without a receipt?
You: You could call and ask...
You could call and ask if you could / can do it.
Your friend: Who spilled the coffee.
You: I don't know...
I don't know who did / spilled it.
Amy said, "I am eating as fast as I can already!"
Amy said that she is eating as fast as she can.
It's unlikely that...
Not a subjunctive
Your friend: Whose socks are these?
You: I don't know...
I don't know whose socks those are.
Your friend: Is the first day of the fall semester on the 22nd or the 23rd?
You: I forgot...
I forgot if it is on the 22nd or the 23rd.
Your friend: What should I do?
Your friend again: (Emphasize: Use an infinitive) I really don't know...
I really don't know what to do.
George asked, "What is your plan for the long weekend?"
George asked what our plan was / is for the long weekend.
1. It is important that...
2. The heat is turned off before you leave.
It is important that the heat be turned off before you leave.
Your friend: Where did I leave my keys again?
You: Same here! I always forget...
I always forget where I leave them / my keys.
Your friend: Have you started working on your homework?
You: Not yet, but let me know when you...
Not yet, but let me know when you start working on it.
Not yet, but let me know when you have started working on it.
Your friend: When do you get off work this Friday?
You: My schedule changes every week, so I'm not sure...
Sara asked, "Are you going to be home later? Can I drop something off at your place?"
Sara asked if we were / are going to be home and if she could / can drop something off (at our place).
Your friend: Mary complained that her neighbors are loud.
You: I suggest that...
This is a Subjunctive