Embedded questions

An embedded question (or indirect 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

Four rules for using embedded questions

Rule one
Direct question: what time did he leave?
Embedded Question: I wonder what time he left

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
Direct question: What time does he go to school?
Embedded question: I’d like to know what time he goes to school.

Rule Two
Direct Question (yes/no question)
Is he a doctor?

Embedded question:

If the embedded question is part of a yes/no question, reverse the positions of

the subject and auxiliary verb, after adding “if” / “whether” / “whether or not”

Direct Question (yes/no question)

Is he a doctor?

Embedded question: Do you know if he is a doctor?

Direct Question (yes/no question)

Will he be there?
Embedded question:
Can you tell we whether he will be there or not?

Direct Question (yes/no question)

Will he be there?

Embedded question:
Do you know whether or not he will be there?

WH Questions
Who are you?
Where do you live?
What did you do yesterday?
How long have you been to New York?

Rule three
Direct Question (WH-question)
What were you doing at 3pm?

Embedded question:
Can you tell me what you were doing at 3pm?

Direct Question (WH-question)

Where is the bus station?

Embedded question:
Could you tell me when the

If the embedded question is part of a WH-question, reverse the positions of the

subject and auxiliary verb and main verb. Don’t need to ‘backshift’ (change the
tense of the verb).

Direct Question (WH-question)

When is restaurant closing?

Embedded question:
Can you tell me when the restaurant is closing?

Rule four
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 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.

LISA: Hi, Della. I haven’t seen you in a long and have wondering what you have
been doing lately.

DELLA: Oh, I’ve been busy my classes and my thesis. My adviser asked what
topic I had finally chosen.

Lisa: Have you decided what you are going to write?

Della: Not really. It’s very difficult when you don’t know what you want to do.

LISA: I hear that Fred’s company is planning to transfer him, but he does not
know where they are sending him.

DELLA: Yes, it’s quit difficult for the family, because they do not know what they
will do about getting a house. They are planning to sell their house here.

LISA: Have they decided yet how much want for it?

DELLA: They need to talk with an appraiser first, and he will tell them how much
it is worth.

LISA: I hear Julie got married some time ago.

DELLA: Yes, but I don’t remember when she got married, and I don’t know who
the lucky guy is.

LISA: Oh, it’s 3:00 and I have 4:00 appointment. Call me tonight and let me know
when we can get together.

DELLA: That’s a great idea. I’ll call after supper when it’s quitter. See you later.
Tag questions

A tag question is a small question that is attached, or “tagged”, to the end of the
sentences. Rather than repeat the main verb, a form of “be” or other auxiliary
verb or modal is used in the tag. Below are a few examples.

If the sentence is negative, the tag is usually positive, as in the example below.

 You didn’t tell him, did you?

NOTE: Sentences with negative words are considered to be negative. Therefore,

they require positive ta question endings, as in.

 He never drinks alcohol, does he?

 Nobody left a message, did they?

You didn’t tell him, did you?

You told him, didn’t you?

If the sentence is positive, the tag is usually negative,

“Boring”
“Well done”
“At least…”
Second draft.

Hello Paty
I'm Luiz Henrique, but you can call me "Lu". I’m 27 and I was born in Ilhéus – BA,
a very beautiful city as you should know. I’m married. I’ve played acoustic guitar
since my childhood and I love doing it. In addition to being a student in the course
of Letras, I'm a theology and philosophy student.
Last week, I was a little scared because. This always happens in the first English
class because I realized that I still can’t speak English very well. I’ve worked to
improve my English day by day, but perhaps my biggest difficulty comes from the
fact that I really like to speak, but when the idea is in my mind and I can’t express
it coherently in English, the feeling of incapacity causes me sadness.