13.9 Questions about alternatives; emphatic questions with'ever'
13.9C Emphatic questions with 'ever', etc. [> LEG 13.46-47]
We ask emphatic questions with ever to express admiration, anger, concern, etc.
We write ever as a separate word from question-words. Compare:
Where ever did you buy that tie? Wherever you go, take your passport. [> 1.8C]
How ever did you manage it? However, I managed to persuade him. [> 7.8B]
What ever does she see in him? Whatever she sees in him, she 'II marry him. [> 1.9C]We use ever after all question-words except Which? and Whose? and we often put heavy
stress on it in spoken questions: Where 'ever did you pick that up?We can ask questions with ever.- to get a subject or an object: What ever made you late? What ever did he say?
- in short responses: What ever for? Why ever not?
or we use a phrase like on earth for extra emphasis: How on earth did you know?
Write: Make these questions more emphatic to express admiration, surprise, concern, etc.1 Who gave you permission to do that?
2 Why didn't you ask an expert to look at it?
3 When did they go to Iceland?
4 What will she say next?
5 Where shall I put this wet umbrella?
6 How do you expect me to carry all this?
7 How did you get into this mess?13.9D Context
Write: Use forms with ever, etc. and ask questions about alternatives.THE MAN I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
Colonel Blimp is a short-tempered man. He pays good money to his
motoring organization and he expects instant service. He broke down on
a lonely road recently and was ready to explode when he had to wait for
two hours before help arrived. Even before the driver got out of his car,
the Colonel was muttering, '(What) took you so
long? (What)^2 do we pay good money for? I don't
break down often, but (when)^3 I do, I expect real
service.' The driver leaned out of the window. ('Have you broken down?
Have you run out of petrol?)'^4 'Can't start the
engine!' the Colonel said sharply. 'Let's have a look at it,' the man said.
('Have you tried to start it? Haven't you tried to start it?)(^5) The Colonel, now red in the face, didn't
reply. 'Well, (have you? haven't you?)^6 the
man asked. 'Oh, I see, you've flooded the engine. Got a cloth?' 'Haven't
you even brought a cloth?' the Colonel yelled. The man smiled. 'Oh, this
isn't my job, you know. I'm just a passing motorist. I stopped because
you looked as if you needed help.'
This isn't my job, you know