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What is an embedded question?
1 An embedded question is a question that is included inside another question or statement. They are
common after introductory phrases, such as:
1.1 I wonder
1.2 Could
you tell
me
1.3 Do you know
1.4 Can you remember
1.5 We need to find out
1.6 I'd like to know
1.7 Could you tell me
1.8 I'm not sure
1.9 Would you mind explaining
1.10 Uses
1.10.1 Five Rules for Using Embedded Questions
1.10.1.1 Rule One
1.10.1.1.1 If the embedded question is part of a statement, use a period and not a question mark at the end of
the sentence. Also, if the question is in the present or past simple verb tense, omit the auxiliary
verbs do, does, and did and change the verb to its appropriate form, as in the example below.
1.10.1.1.1.1 Direct question
1.10.1.1.1.1.1 What time did he leave?
1.10.1.1.1.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.2.1 I wonder what time he left.
1.10.1.1.1.3 Rule Two
1.10.1.1.1.3.1 If the embedded question includes an auxiliary verb or the verb "to be", reverse the positions of the
subject and the auxiliary verb, as in the examples below.
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.1 Direct question
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.1.1 What did he say?
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.1.2 Can you help me?
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.1.3 Is he a doctor?
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.2.1 Could you tell me what he said?
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.2.2 I wonder if you could help me.
1.10.1.1.1.3.1.2.3 Do you know if he is a doctor?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2 Rule Three
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1 Do not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.1 Direct Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.1.1 Where is she?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.2 Correct Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.2.1 Do you know where he is?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.3 Incorrect Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.1.3.1 Do you know where he's?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2 Rule Four
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1 Embedded questions are introduced by whether, whether or not, and if when there is no question
word in the sentence (yes/no questions).
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.1 Direct Yes/No Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.1.1 Will he be there?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.2.1 Do you
know if
he will
be
there?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.2.2 Do you
know
whether
or not
he will
be
there?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.1.2.3 Do you
know
whether he
will be
there or
not?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2 Rule Five
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1 The infinitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded questions, as in the following
example.
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.1 Direct Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.1.1 What should
I do?
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.2.1 Please tell me what I should do.
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.3 Embedded Question with an Infinitive
1.10.1.1.1.3.2.2.2.1.3.1 Please tell me what to do.
1.10.1.2 Using Embedded Questions
1.10.1.2.1 There are times when native English speakers prefer to use embedded rather than direct questions.
Here are two examples.
1.10.1.2.1.1 1. Politely Asking for Information
1.10.1.2.1.1.1 Direct Question
1.10.1.2.1.1.1.1 What time does the bus arrive?
1.10.1.2.1.1.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.2.1.1.2.1 Could you tell me what time the bus
arrives? (more polite)
1.10.1.2.1.2 2. Talking About Something Which Is Unknown to the Speaker
1.10.1.2.1.2.1 Direct Question
1.10.1.2.1.2.1.1 Why did she decide not to come with us?
1.10.1.2.1.2.2 Embedded Question
1.10.1.2.1.2.2.1 I don't know why she decided not to come with us.