Embedded questions

1. Embedded Questions
Embedded questions are questions within
another statement or question. They
function as noun clauses and as such should
generally follow statement, not question,
order.
An embedded question is a question
included in another question or
statement. Embedded questions feel less
abrupt, and so have a softening effect.

2. Embedded Questions
 Wh- questions may be embedded within a
statement.
Embedded Wh- questions
I don't know
I've forgotten
I don't/can't remember
I am not sure
what time
where
what
why

3. Embedded Questions
Wh- questions may be embedded within a
statement.
Where is the bank?
I don't know where the bank is.
What did she say?
I didn't hear what she said.
What is the definition?
I can't remember what the definition is.

4. Embedded Questions
• WH-Questions with BE (is, are, was, were)
Asking for information:
• Where is the bank?
• Do you know where the bank is? (embedded
question)
• I don’t know where the bank is.

5. More examples:
• What is she doing?
• Do you know what she is doing?
I don’t know what she’s doing.
• Why was the kid crying?
• Do you know why the kind was crying?
I don’t know why the kid was crying.

6. WH-Questions with
DO/DOES/DID
Where does he live?
Do you know where he lives?
I don’t know where he lives.
How often do they come here?
Do you know how often they come here?
I don’t know how often they come here.

7. Embedded YES/NO Questions
I don't know whether
I've forgotten if
I don't/can't remember

8. Yes/No Questions
• Do you know if Tom is in school today?
whether
• I don’t know if Tom is in school today.
whether

9. Yes/No Questions
• Do you know if Mary works here?
whether
• I don’t know if Mary works here.
whether

10. References:
• http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/embedded_questions.html
• http://www.headsupenglish.com/index.php/upper-
intermediate-students/upper-intermediate-skill-
builders/upper-intermediate-grammar/339-embedded-
questions

11. Thank you!