有一读者问：《中学教学全本·英语卷》解释道： 当疑问句的谓语动词是to be时，从句的语序通常是直接疑问句形式，例如：
(1)Tell me what's the matter.
(2)I told him how strong was my idea to visit the famous temple.
但在高级英语教科书第二册却有这样的句子：
(3)He asked whose dictionary it was.
为什么不说：
(4)He asked whose dictionary was it.
间接疑问句的谓语动词如是be，通常，尤其在口语中，确是多用直接疑问句的形式，但用间接疑问句形式的情况似乎也不少，再如：
(5)She asked how old I was .
(6)He asked what the time was .
有时则一般多用间接疑问句的形式，如：
(7)Do you know what time it is ?
(8)Where you are is nothing to me.
据此，上述句（3）和句（4）都是正确英语。至于上述句（1）则是特殊情况。句（1）中的the matter并非主语，而是表语，实际上等于形容词wrong，所以应该说what's the matter不是直接疑问句，而是间接疑问句。在现代英语里，已很少有人说what the matter is了。
上述句（2）中的从句并不是直接疑问句，而是间接感叹句的倒装形式。was提前是因为主语my idea to visit the temple较长的缘故。
采取含谓语动词be的直接疑问句形式的疑问从句，其较为典型的例句还有如：
(9)She asked was that enough .
(10)He asked what was the time .
(11)I really don't know what's the use of it .
(12)I went into his shop and inquired was anything the matter .
顺便说一下，采取直接疑问句形式的疑问从句并不限于其谓语动词为be。在较随意的英语中，尤其在口语中，以不用be的直接疑问句形式出现的疑问从句也屡见不鲜，兹举数例如下：
(13)He asked me would I go .
(14)She asked might she speak to him a minute .
(15)She wondered where had he gone .
(16)She said she was going to the shops and asked me did I want anything while she was out .
(17)With such a low rent, they argued why should they bother to buy an apartment .
但请注意，有时以直接疑问句形式出现的疑问从句也可看作是一个十足的直接疑问句，例如：
(18)Tell me who are you .
也可看作是：
(19)Tell me: Who are you ?
(20)I considered what could I do .
也可看作是：
(21)I considered: What could I do ?
正因为如此，有时句末还可以加一问号，实例如：
(22)I wonder will you understand me ?
