Q-element

A Q-element is defined by Quirk 1973 as a "clause element [in a question] containing the Q-word. It is a useful concept in the analysis of questions, and the rules for forming them. These are, in wh-questions in direct speech:

• the Q-element comes first in the sentence ("apart from some conjuncts and disjuncts; and
• the Q-word takes first position in the Q-element.

The same is basically true of the positioning in indirect questions, bearing in mind that a reporting clause may precede all elements of the question being reported.