VIII. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
22. Most of the sentences in books are declarative sentences, written to make statements, but in speech we frequently make use of another kind of sentence, one that asks a question; as, “Do you know how to tell a sheep’s age?” This is called an interrogative sentence.
23. The interrogative sentence, “What dwarfs made that armor?” is in the natural order, but this is not the usual order in interrogative sentences. In the sentence, “Do you know how to tell a sheep’s age?” we find first a part of the verb, then the subject, then the other part of the verb and the rest of the predicate. How would this sentence read if it were in the natural order? Would it then be an interrogative sentence?
Note.—Since an interrogative sentence does not make a statement, it may seem strange to define the verb in such a sentence as an asserting word, but in making definitions we must think of the fundamental nature and the typical use of what we are defining. The primary office of the verb is to assert, as in declarative sentences; hence, we define the verb as an asserting word, though it may also be used in asking questions.
Summary.—An interrogative sentence is one that asks a question.
An interrogative sentence is usually in the transposed order, and is always followed by a question mark.
Exercise.—Tell whether the following sentences are in the natural or the transposed order. Put into the natural order those which are transposed. Divide each sentence into subject and predicate. Select the simple subject and the predicate verb, or simple predicate.
1. Did you ever hear of a cat’s playing hide and seek?
2. What became of you after the Princess’s death?
3. Will no other diet serve you but poor Jack?
4. Which flower does your mother like best?
5. What harm can a naked frog do us?
6. Will the town crier tell us of an auction, or of a lost pocket-book, or of a show of beautiful wax figures, or of some monstrous beast more horrible than any in the caravan?
7. Why did no smile of welcome brighten upon his face?
8. What did Peterson-Sahib mean by the elephant dance?
9. How many people have ever come to know a wild animal?
10. What important business made you late to dinner?
11. What plant we in this apple tree?
12. What other man would have discovered so many virtues under so mean a dress?
13. What do people fish for in this country?
14.
Does that star-spangled banner yet waveO’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?15. Where did you get your eyes so blue?
16. Who will exchange old lamps for new ones?
17. What makes your cheek like a warm, white rose?