What's the right order of the words?

Question

Consider this sentence:

The first point I feel the need to address is why it is important to ask such a question.

Is it grammatically correct or should it be why is it important...? Why? What's the grammar behind it?

I don't remember the exact question but I think this is a dup. — M.A.R., Feb 02 '15 at 18:12
Also related “Do you know where's Linda?” vs “Do you know where Linda is?” — user3169, Feb 02 '15 at 20:45

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 02 '15 at 18:16

You could actually use either, but you'd need different punctuation. Further, for clarity, I'd stick a colon after the first "is."

So:

The first point I feel the need to address is: why it is important to ask such a question.

or

*The first point I feel the need to address is: why is it important to ask such a question?"

Here is where "forgot the grammar terms as I internalized them" is a handicap for me. Sorry. Basically, the first version ("why it is") translates to "I want to explain why asking this question is important." This is explaining, not a question. But the second version ("why is it") turns the statement into a question because of that word-order, and therefore requires a question mark.

Either one would be acceptable, though the nuances are slightly different, and the first one feels more formal. (Because it's not a question, and therefore is more "firm.")

What's the right order of the words?

1 Answers1