[Grammar] "I don't understand the reason why you said that."

[nininaz]

Hello,

Could anyone help me to understand what kind of these(bold part) clause are?

A "I didn't understand the reason why you said that."

B "I didn't understand why you said that."

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think the first is an adjective clause modifying 'reason', while the second is a noun clause, the object of 'understand'.

 

[Barb_D]

A "I didn't understand the reason [STRIKE]why [/STRIKE]you said that."

B "I didn't understand why you said that."

In general, do not use "why" and "reason" together like that. If I were your editor, I would offer you the choice of "I don't understand why you..." or "I don't understand the reason you..."

They have the same meaning.

"The reason you said that" and "why you said that" are both noun phrases.

 

[jutfrank]

As a teacher, I usually use the term a 'wh- clause'.