Embedded Questions
A complete B2 guide to embedded questions. Covers question word order, if and whether clauses, and common errors with reported questions.
Embedded questions are questions inside another sentence.
They are useful when you want to sound more indirect, polite, or formal.
Statement Word Order
In an embedded question, use statement word order.
| Direct question | Embedded question |
|---|---|
| Where does she live? | Do you know where she lives? |
| What time is it? | Can you tell me what time it is? |
| Why did he leave? | I wonder why he left. |
Do not use question word order inside the embedded question.
Correct: Do you know where she lives?
Incorrect: Do you know where does she live?
Yes/No Questions
Use if or whether for yes/no questions.
| Direct question | Embedded question |
|---|---|
| Is she coming? | Do you know if she is coming? |
| Did they call? | I wonder whether they called. |
Punctuation
If the whole sentence is a question, use a question mark.
Do you know where the office is?
If the whole sentence is a statement, use a period.
I do not know where the office is.
Common Mistakes
| Avoid | Use |
|---|---|
| Do you know where is the bank? | Do you know where the bank is? |
| I wonder did she call. | I wonder if she called. |
| Can you tell me what does this mean? | Can you tell me what this means? |
Practice
Do you know where she ___?
Summary
Embedded questions use statement word order. Use question words such as where, why, and how for information questions, and if or whether for yes/no questions. Choose the final punctuation based on the whole sentence.