“What did you talk about?” – “We (SUBJECT) talked (VERB) about our next trip to New York (OBJECT). A lot of people were killed in a terrorist attack.” “What happened?” – “Something terrible (SUBJECT) happened (VERB). The answer may be, “He (SUBJECT) watched (VERB) an old film starring Humphrey Bogart. “What did your father watch on TV yesterday?” You’re interested in information about the object. The answer may be, “My nationality (SUBJECT) is (VERB) Italian.” So you ask, “What is your nationality?” You’re interested in information about the subject of the verb. Suppose you meet someone whose accent is really fine but you know he’s a foreigner. If you find out more information on how to parse 'What is your name?,' I hope that you will share it with all of us. Parts of her book are available on Google 'books.' Check out her comments on page 252. I found very helpful a Google book entitled Grammar for Teachers: A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers (2008) by Ms. (His comments are on page 171.) I am trying to find out why he calls 'what' the subject. NOTES: Professor George Oliver Curme in Volume I of his masterpiece A Grammar of the English Language says that in 'What are their names?,' the subject is 'What.' I do not understand his reasoning. (i) 'what' is the object of the verb 'do.'

(a) The regular order is: You did do what? Word 'complement,' not 'object.' A complement is necessary to complete the meaning: He is intelligent/ nice, etc.Īn object is not always necessary: I ate./ I ate an apple/ a donut, etc. After linking verbs, grammar guides prefer the When you add theĬomplement 'what,' then your listener/reader will understand. (a) a complement 'completes.' If you said only 'What is?,' that would not be complete. What = interrogative pronoun serving as a complement (not 'object').

(It is not an auxiliary in that sentence.) (1) I believe that most grammar guides parse that sentence as:

What is subject in sentence