What is an embedded question?
An embedded question is a question included in another statement or question. Why do we use them?
We use embedded questions because they feel less abrupt, and have a softening effect. Let’s illustrate:
A: What’s the weather like in Leeds? (simple question)
B: Sorry. I don’t know the weather in Leeds. (simple statement)
A: Do you know what the weather is in Leeds right now? (embedded question in a question)
B: Sorry. I don’t know what the weather is in Leeds right now. (embedded question in a statement)
What is the sentence structure?
Embedded questions in questions and statements follow the same pattern:
main question/statement + interrogative + subject + verb + object/complement
A: Do you know | what | time | it | is?
B: I don’t know | what | time | it | is.
A: Do you know | if | it | is | 2:00?
B: I don’t know | if | it | is | 2:00.
Notice the sentence structure following the interrogative (question word). Because embedded questions are noun clauses, they follow the structure of a statement and not a question. In other words, always use:
subject + verb + object/complement
Do you know | what | time | is | it? (wrong)
I don’t know | what | time | is | it. (wrong)
How are embedded questions used?
You can use the following phrases when asking a question or providing a statement:
| main questions / statements | embedded question | |
|---|---|---|
| Do you know | what | |
| Do you remember | where | |
| Can you tell me | when | |
| Could you tell me | who | |
| subject + verb + object | ||
| I don’t know | why | |
| I can’t remember | how | |
| I’m not sure | ||
| Please tell me |
Here are some examples of questions:
Do you know what the financial market will be like next year?
Do you remember when Rafael Nadal got injured?
Can you tell me the way to the nearest taxi stop?
And here are some examples of statements:
I don’t know how I’ll be able to retire at 50. It’s so hard to save money nowadays!
I can’t remember why I decided to get an chinese course.
He’s not sure if he can fly in for the meeting next week.
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