An embedded question is a question that is included inside another question or statement.
They are common after introductory phrases, such as:
I wonder
Could you tell me
Do you know
Can you remember
Let's ask
We need to nd out
I'd like to know
Could you tell me
I'm not sure
Would you mind explaining
Five Rules for Using Embedded Questions:
Rule One
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
Direct Question What did he say?
Embedded Question Could you tell me what he said?
Direct Question What time did he leave?
Embedded Question I wonder what time he left.
Rule Two
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.
Direct Question Could you help me?
Embedded Question I wonder if you could help me.
Direct Question Is he a doctor?
Embedded Question Do you know if he is a doctor?
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Rule Three
Do not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.
Direct Question Where is he?
Correct Embedded Question Do you know where he is?
Incorrect Embedded Question Do you know where he's?
Rule Four
Embedded questions are introduced by whether, whether or not, and if when there is no
question word in the sentence (yes/no questions).
Direct Yes/No Question Will he be there?
Do you know if he will be there?
Embedded Question Do you know whether or not he will be there?
Do you know whether he will be there or not?
Rule Five
The in nitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded questions, as in the
following example.
Direct Question What should I do?
Embedded Question Please tell me what I should do.
Embedded Question with an Infinitive Please tell me what to do.
Using Embedded Questions
There are times when native English speakers prefer to use embedded rather than direct
questions. Here are two examples.
1. Politely Asking for Information
Direct Question What time does the bus arrive?
Could you tell me what time the bus arrives?
Embedded Question
(more polite)
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2. Talking About Something Which Is Unknown to the Speaker
Direct Question Why did she decide not to come with us?
Embedded Question I don't know why she decided not to come with us.
Note: The embedded question is in a statement , so it ends with a period, not a question
mark.
Exercises:
SET A
A 1 Do you need any help? Call me ...
A 2 How much is it going to cost? You don't know ... do you?
A 3 What does this word mean? Could you tell me ... ?
A 4 What are you talking about? I don't know ...
A 5 Could you lend me some money until I get paid? I was wondering ...
A 6 Where's Helen gone? You've no idea ... have you?
A 7 How long does it take? I'm not really sure ...
A 8 How much did it cost? Do you know ... ?
A 9 Where did she get her coat from? Have you any idea ... ?
A10 What do you think? Let me know …
SET B
B 1 What time is it? Do you know ... ?
B 2 Will he be back soon? You wouldn't happen to know ... would you?
B 3 Could I have a word with you? I was wondering ...
B 4 What do you mean? I'm not really sure ...
B 5 Do you need anything? Let me know ...
B 6 Does it hurt? Tell me ...
B 7 What time does the bank close? You couldn't tell me ... could you?
B 8 What are we supposed to be doing? Do you know ...
B 9 How long have we been waiting? Have you any idea ... ?
B10 How much did she pay for her new hair do? I wonder …
SET C
C 1 When will Tony be back? Do you happen to know ... ?
C 2 Is this the train to Oxford? I don't suppose you know ... do you?
C 3 Do you need me? Call me...
C 4 Will it take long? Do you know ... ?
C 5 How much longer will I have to wait? Have you any idea ... ?
C 6 Can you come to my party? Let me know ...
C 7 What does he look like? I've no idea ...
C 8 How do you get to the station from here? Could you tell me ...?
C 9 Would you like to join us for dinner? I was wondering ...
C10 Where did Sam go? You don't happen to know ... do you?
Complete the following embedded questions.
The rst one (0) is an example.
0. What does he look like?
I've no idea what he looks like.
1. Do you need any help?
Call me ....................................................................................................................
2. Where's Helen gone?
You've no idea ..................................................................................... have you?
3. When will Tony be back?
Do you happen to know .......................................................................................?
4. How much is it going to cost?
You don't know ......................................................................................... do you?
5. Will he be back soon?
You wouldn't happen to know …………………………………………… would you?
6. How long will I have to wait?
Have you any idea ...............................................................................................?
7. What are you talking about?
I don't know ...........................................................................................................
8. What time does the bank close?
You couldn't tell me ........................................................................... could you?
9. What do you mean?
I'm not really sure ..................................................................................................
10. Could you lend me some money until I get paid?
I was wondering .....................................................................................................
11. Where did Sam go?
You don't know ........................................................................................ do you?
12. What time is it?
Do you know .........................................................................................................?
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