Navigating the Outdated Grammar Question: The Riddle of 'What is the correct answer in this sentence Why?'

Introduction

The internet is full of old tricks and riddles, many of them outdated and based on misunderstandings of standard grammar rules. One such riddle goes: 'What is the correct answer in this sentence: Why'? This article aims to dissect this question and explore the various interpretations and potential explanations behind it, ultimately providing clarity on a question that has sometimes served as a linguistic joke.

Understanding the Question

The original trick question presents a challenging grammatical puzzle. It suggests that the correct answer is "what" because the question mark needs to be replaced with a period. However, this interpretation fails because the sentence structure inherently suggests it should be a statement rather than a question. To make it sensible, the sentence should read 'The correct answer in this sentence is what' without a question mark. This interpretation leads to a redundant and nonsensical ending with the word 'why' at the end.

Breaking Down the Sentence Structure

Let's examine the grammatical structure of the sentence:

The correct answer in this sentence is 'what'. This is the subject and main clause of the sentence, where the phrase 'what' is addressing the query of what the correct answer is.

On the other hand, you could argue that the question has no answer. This is a valid point, as the sentence itself is about the concept of a correct answer, not providing an answer to a specific question. Thus, it is self-referential rather than posing a query.

Another possible answer is 'the correct answer' is a noun phrase within the question but it would be conventional to put it in quotes if that were the case. This interpretation pivots on the idea of the phrase 'the correct answer' being a separate, identifiable component of the sentence, like a noun.

Or, the correct answer might be Jabberwocky: Why? Because y borogroves were all mimsy. While this is an unusual and humorous suggestion, it relies on an outside reference to a nonsensical text, adding a whimsical twist to the riddle.

Analysis of the Subject and Structure

Breaking down the subject 'The correct answer in this sentence is 'what'' and its structure:

The subject of the sentence is "The correct answer in this sentence is 'what', with 'what' being the object of the preposition 'in'. This phrase serves as the subject, introducing the concept that 'what' is the definitive answer.

Why it is difficult to answer is because of the inherent grammatical indifference. If we were to change it to a statement, it would read, 'The correct answer in this sentence is 'what'. However, grammatical rules dictate that the sentence must remain as is, without changing.

Concluding thoughts: Although the question is old and based on an outdated understanding of grammar, it has sparked much debate and curiosity. The 'correct answer' can be seen as both a self-referential statement and a preposition phrase, and it can also be a playful reference to Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky.

The riddle of 'What is the correct answer in this sentence Why?' is a prime example of how language can be used to create confusion, challenge the rule-following mindset, and even provide a source of amusement. Whether the answer is 'what', a self-referential phrase, or a whimsical reference to literary nonsense, the question remains a classic example of a linguistic trick that has fascinated generations.