forming a question

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

Looking at Torsten's correction for a wrongly formed question in this thread made me wonder if there's other ways of asking the same question.
So, could you pick out the sentences you are happy with from the following list:

[Yankee]

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Amy

Thanks a lot ! Now I see the point.

[Prezbucky]

check this out, Alex:

I don't know why the Packers are so good. -- Declarative (you aren't asking a question, but making a statement)
Why are the Packers so good? -- Interrogative (a question)
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Torsten]

Hi Tom,

What about this:

Do you know why the Packers are so good? -- Interrogative
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Jamie (K)]

Think of it this way. In the main clause of a sentence, there are three slots AT THE BEGINNING that have to be filled when a question is formed.

1[question word] 2[auxiliary verb] 3[subject]

A form of "be" can replace the auxiliary verb.

Therefore, you get this:

The answer is "quote".
1[Why] 2[is] 3[the answer] "quote"? (Right, because you've filled all three slots.)
1[Why] 2[ø] 3[the answer] is "quote"? (Wrong, because you've left one slot empty.)

"Quote" is the answer.
1[Why] 2[is] 3["quote"] the answer? (Right. All slots are filled.)
1[Why] 2[ø] 3["quote"] is the answer? (Wrong. One slot is empty.)

However, in an embedded clause, or subordinate clause, or whatever you prefer to call it, there are only two slots.

Bla bla bla [question word][subject]...

Ergo:

The answer is "quote".
He asked me [why][the answer] is "quote". (Right, because there are only two slots, and the verb has not been moved up.)
He asked me [why][is][the answer] "quote". (Wrong, because you used three slots.)

"Quote" is the answer.
He asked me [why]["quote"] is the answer. (Right. Two slots only.)
He asked me [why][is]["quote"] the answer. (Wrong. Three slots.)

[Lost_Soul]

Thanks a lot to you, guys !
Now the subject is clear as day to me