Notes on Embedded Questions

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

Direct Question	Can 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?

Rule Three

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

Direct Question	Where is she?
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?
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 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?
Embedded Question	Could you tell me what time the bus arrives? (more polite)

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.

The embedded question is in a statement, so it ends with a period, not a question mark.

Source: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca