Embedded Questions

DIRECT QUESTION: What work did he do best?

Embedded Question: I would like to know what work he did best.

They are common introductory phrases, such as:

I wonder…
Could you tell me…
Do you know…
Can you remember…
Let’s ask…
We need to find out…
I would like to know…
I am not sure…
Would you mind explaining/telling…
Direct Question: What is her name?
Embedded Question: I wonder what is her name. I wonder what her name is.
Would you mind telling me what her name is?

Rule One

If the Embedded Question is part of a statement, use period and not a question mark.

Direct Question: What time did he leave?

Embedded Question: I wonder what time did he leave. I wonder what time he left.
Can you remember what time he left?

Rule Two
If the embedded question includes an auxiliary verb or the verb “to be”, reverse the position of
the subject and the auxiliary verb.
Direct Question: What did he say?

Embedded Question: I wonder what he said.

Rule Three

Do not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.

Direct Question: Where´s my mother?

Embedded Question: I wonder where my mother’s mother is.
Could you tell me where my mother is?

Rule Four

Embedded questions are introduced by whether, whether or not and if when there is no question word
in the sentence (yes or no questions).

Direct Question: Will he be there?

Embedded Question: Do you know if he will be there?

Do you know whether or not he will be there?

Do you know whether he will be there or not?

Rule Five

The infinitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded question.

Direct Question: Where could I look for her?

Embedded Question: Could you tell me where I could look for her?

Embedded with infinitive: Could you tell me where to look for her?

Exercises:

D: What do you know about me?

EQ: Could you tell me what you know about me?

EQ: Could you tell me what to know about me?

D: Why was he running late?

EQ: I’m not sure why he was running late.
D: How irresponsible is he?
EQ: I don’t know how irresponsible he is.

D: How conservative are they?

EQ: I’m not sure how conservative they are.