www.yourbet.com.

ar

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 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?

1
 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 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 QuestionWhat time does the bus arrive?
Could you tell me what time the bus arrives?
Embedded Question
(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.

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

Exercise A

1. Choose the correct sentence.

1. I wonder what should I buy my girlfriend for her birthday?
2. Do you know if many people are coming to the party?
3. Have you decided when are you returning to your country?
2. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Does anyone know what is the colour of an eagle's egg?
2. Does anyone know why was today's meeting postponed until next week?
3. I wish I knew where I left my glasses.
3. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Could you tell me when the next train is supposed to arrive?
2. Are you are of the reason why is he not in class today?
3. I wish I knew where is the best place in Victoria to buy shoes.
4. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Can anyone remember what did we learn about coordinate conjunctions in class yesterday?
2. Have you decided will you accept the offer or not accept it?
3. Does anyone know what the topic of today's lecture is?
5. Choose the correct sentence.

2
 1. I have no idea how long does it take to get there.
2. Do you know how long it is taking to get to the university from here?
3. I wonder how long it takes to get there.
6. Choose the correct sentence.
1. I was wondering if you knew what time is it.
2. Have you decided what are you going to order from the menu?
3. Please tell me what your plans are after you graduate.
7. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Do you know where are they going to stay while they are visiting Vancouver?
2. I wonder why is the cafeteria is so crowded today?
3. Do you know whether or not they are going to have a large wedding?
8. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Have the decided how long are they going to stay in Hawaii?
2. Does anyone know is the test tomorrow going to be very difficult?
3. Can you remember what the name of the author who wrote "The Old Man and the Sea" was?
9. Choose the correct sentence.
1. Does anyone know why Carol was absent from class yesterday?
2. I wish I knew what is the time now.
3. Have you decided whether or not are you going to buy a new car?
10. Choose the correct sentence.
1. I was wondering are they going to get married.
2. Please tell me what did he say about my project.
3. Do you know what the weather is supposed to be like on the weekend?

Exercise B

1. Choose the sentence which is correct.

1. Could you please tell me when will you be ready to leave?
2. I'd like to know what made him so angry.
3. I'm not sure what time are we supposed to meet them at the restaurant.
2. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. I'd like to know why did the car not start this morning.
2. Could you tell me which of these two watches do you like the best?
3. I wonder whether we will have enough time to visit all the places we want to see during our trip to Europe.
3. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. I've never eaten this before. Do you know what is in it?
2. I wonder how much will it cost to take a taxi home after the annual office party.
3. I've never eaten at this restaurant. Can you tell me what should I order?
4. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. I was wondering how long you two have known each other.
2. Do you remember when did your friend from Brazil arrive in this country?
3. Have you any idea how long will it take to finish the project?
5. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. Excuse me. Could you tell me what is the time, please?
2. Let's find out when is the first available flight to Toronto.
3. Can you tell me how to get to your apartment from the train station?
6. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. I haven't seen Ken for a long time. I wonder how is he doing these days.
2. I don't know whether they are planning to join us for the hike or not.
3. I can't remember what time does this coffee shop close.
7. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. Let's ask the teacher how can we prepare for the final exam.
2. Let's find out how much it would cost to remodel our kitchen.
3. Can you tell me why are you packing so many things for such a short trip?
8. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. That man is familiar, but I can't remember where did I meet him.
2. This pie is delicious. Could you tell me how to make it.
3. I've seen this movie before, but I can't remember how does it end.
9. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. Can you remember how long did it take us to get here from the airport?
2. Do you know how often should I water this plant? I don't want it to die.
3. Let's ask someone if he knows the way to the train station.
10. Choose the sentence which is correct.
1. I can't decide what I should wear to the graduation ceremony.

3
 2. We need to find out can they deliver the new furniture on Friday.
3. Could you please show me how does this new copy machine work?

Exercise C

Directions: Answer each question with an embedded question. These are in the present tense. Use pronouns in your answer whenever possible. (10
points)

Example: A: What time is it?

B: I don't know what time it is.

1. A: What's her name?

B: I don't know __________________________________.

2. A: When does the game start?

B: I'm not sure ___________________________________.

3. A: Why is she mad?

B: I have no idea _________________________________.

4. A: Where do they live?

B: I can't remember _______________________________.

5. A: How does this cell phone work?

B: Don't ask me __________________________________.

6. A: What does she think about my idea?

B: I don't know __________________________________.

7: A: What's the answer to the question?

B: No one knows _________________________________.

8. A: How much does this cereal cost?

B: I'm not sure ___________________________________.

9. A: Why does it take so long for them to get ready?

B: Who knows ___________________________________.

10. A: Where are my shoes?

B: I have no idea _________________________________.

Exercise D

Directions: Answer each question with an embedded question. These are in the past tense. Use pronouns in your answer whenever possible. (10
points)

4
Example: A: Where did my watch go?

B: I don't know where it went.

1. A: Where was she yesterday?

B: I don't know ___________________________________.

2. A: How did the movie end?

B: I can't remember ________________________________.

3. A: Where did they have the party last year?

B: No one can remember ____________________________.

4. A: When did you wake up?

B: I'm not sure ____________________________________.

5. A: What did she do?

B: I'm not sure ____________________________________.

6. A: How many people were there?

B: She can't tell ____________________________________.

7. A: What time did class start?

B: I have no idea ___________________________________.

8. A: How much money did you make last year?

B: I don't want to tell you ____________________________.

9. A: When were they here last?

B: He doesn't know ________________________________.

10. A: What was the problem?

B: They're not sure ________________________________.

Answers to exercise A
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/410-embedded-questions1.htm
Answers to exercise B
web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/410-embedded-questions2.htm
Answers to exercise C & D
http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Orange%20Level/Orange_Level_Quiz_5_EQ_ANSWERS.html

5
6