Modern Hindi Grammar - Indian Institute of Language Studies (IILS)

(Brent) #1

4. SYNTAX


Usually the question-word @yaaoM kyõ why occurs in the pre-verbal
position. It follows the verb within the sentence. The movement of
this question- word influences the meaning of the sentence. The
placement of this question word in the post-verbal position is
possible, but it does not necessarily invoke an answer.



  1. Aapnao ]sao iktaba @yaaoM dI?
    a:pne use kita:b kyõ di:?
    you-erg book he-dat why gave?
    Why did you give him a book?


82a. iktaba @yaaoM dI?
kita:b kyõ di:?


82b. @yaaoM iktaba dI?
kyõ di: kita:b?


82c. dI iktaba @yaaoM?
di: kyõ kita:b?


In (82a) there is stress on the direct object; in (82b) the stress is on
the question-word; and in (82c) the stress is on the verb and the
indirect object.


4.3.4.3. Echo-Questions


There are two types of echo-questions: (a) yes-no echo-questions,
and (b) question-word echo-questions.


4.3.4.3.1. Yes-No Echo-Questions


A yes-no echo-question usually repeats one or more elements of the
statement uttered by the previous speaker. The element/elements
chosen for clarification is/are retained with a rising intonation and
other elements are deleted. For example, the response to a statement
made in (83) can be in different forms (83a-83e) in yes-no echo-
questions.

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