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Embedded Questions
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Written by Chris Cotter   
What is an embedded question?
An embedded question is a question included in another question or statement.  Embedded questions feel less abrupt, and so have a softening effect.  For example, compare the following:

    A:    What time is it? (simple question)    
    B:    Sorry.  I don't know the time. (simple statement)

    A:    Do you know what time it is? (embedded question in a question)
    B:    Sorry.  I don't know what time it is. (embedded question in a statement)

What is the sentence structure?
Embedded questions in statements and questions follow the same pattern.  This is true for both wh-questions and yes/no embedded questions. Let's look at the following:

    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?  (incorrect)
    I don't know  |  what  |  time  |  is  |  it.  (incorrect)

How are embedded questions used?
The speaker can use the following phrases when asking a question or providing a statement:

main questions   embedded question  
Do you know   what  
Do you remember   where  
Can you tell me   when  
Could you tell me   who  
    why   subject + verb + object
main statements   how  
I don't know    
I can't remember    if  
I'm not sure   whether  
Please tell me    

Here are some examples of questions:

    Do you know what the housing market will be like next year?
    Do you remember when President Clinton got impeached?
    Can you tell me the way to the nearest bus stop?

And here are some examples of statements:

    I don't know how I'll be able to retire at 65.  It's so hard to save money nowadays!
    I can't remember why I decided to get an MBA. 
    He's not sure if he can fly in for the wedding next month.

Is there any additional information on embedded questions?
No, there isn't.

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chrisMy name is Chris Cotter, and I'm a full time English teacher and curriculum designer. I've been a working in the English industry for more twelve years, and this site serves the following purposes:

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