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Embedded Questions: Rules & Usage

An embedded question is a question contained within another sentence or question. There are five rules for using embedded questions: [1] use a period instead of question mark if it's a statement, [2] reverse subject and auxiliary verb order, [3] don't use contractions, [4] use "whether" or "if" for yes/no questions without question words, [5] infinitives can follow question words or "whether". Embedded questions are sometimes preferred over direct questions to be more polite or when the speaker is unsure of the answer.

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989 views3 pages

Embedded Questions: Rules & Usage

An embedded question is a question contained within another sentence or question. There are five rules for using embedded questions: [1] use a period instead of question mark if it's a statement, [2] reverse subject and auxiliary verb order, [3] don't use contractions, [4] use "whether" or "if" for yes/no questions without question words, [5] infinitives can follow question words or "whether". Embedded questions are sometimes preferred over direct questions to be more polite or when the speaker is unsure of the answer.

Uploaded by

César de Jesús
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Embedded Questions

Introduction
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 find 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 Embedded Question

What time did he leave? 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 Embedded Question

What did he say? Could you tell me what he said?

Direct Question Embedded Question

Can you help me? I wonder if you could help me.

Direct Question Embedded Question

Is he a doctor? Do you know if he is a doctor?

Rule Three
Do not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.
Direct Question Correct Embedded Question Incorrect Embedded Question

Where is she? Do you know where he is? 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 infinitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded questions, as in the following example.
Direct Question Embedded Question Embedded Question with an Infinitive

What should I do? Please tell me what I should do. 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? (more polite)

Embedded Question

2. Talking About Something Which Is Unknown to the Speaker


Direct Question Embedded Question

Why did she decide not to come with us? 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.

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