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Embedded Questions in Statements

1

What is it?

An embedded question (also called a nominal clause or noun clause) is a question that is "embedded" inside a statement or another question. Unlike indirect questions (which are polite reframings of questions), embedded questions can function as subjects, objects, or complements within a sentence. They always use statement word order and have no question mark unless the whole sentence is a question.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Embedded as objectI don't know what she wants.Nobody understood why he had resigned.
Embedded as subjectWhat she said surprised everyone.Whether they agree doesn't matter to me.
Embedded as complementThe issue is who should be held accountable.
In a questionDo you know what she wants?Can you explain why it happened?Do you remember where you put it?
With if/whetherI don't know if/whether he's coming.It's unclear whether the report is accurate.Can you confirm whether the meeting is on?
  • • Embedded questions always use STATEMENT word order: subject + verb.
  • • "Wh-" word or "if/whether" introduces the embedded clause.
  • • The embedded clause can be the subject of a sentence: "What you say matters."
  • • The embedded clause can be the object: "I know what he did."
  • • The embedded clause can be the complement: "The problem is where to start."
  • • When the whole sentence is a question, the main verb (not the embedded question) is inverted: "Do you know what time it is?"
  • • Do NOT use a question mark if the whole sentence is a statement: "I don't know where she is." (no question mark)
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Embedded wh-clause as object (statement)

    She explained why she had been late.

  2. 2

    Embedded wh-clause as subject

    How he managed to pass remains a mystery.

  3. 3

    Embedded if/whether clause

    I'm not sure whether the offer is still valid.

  4. 4

    Embedded question inside a question

    Do you know when the results will be published?

  5. 5

    "What + noun" embedded clauses

    They want to know what progress has been made.

4

Common mistakes

I wonder what does she think.

I wonder what she thinks.

Embedded questions use statement word order. Remove "does" and use third-person -s on "thinks".

The question is where does the money go.

The question is where the money goes.

Statement order in embedded clauses. Remove "does".

I don't know if is he coming.

I don't know if he is coming.

Statement order after "if/whether": subject + verb.

5

Quick reference

  • Embedded questions use statement word order: subject + verb.
  • Introduced by wh- words or "if/whether".
  • Can function as subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
  • The overall sentence may or may not be a question.
  • Statement sentence → no question mark at the end.
  • Do NOT keep "do/does/did" that was only there for question formation.
6

Natural conversation example

A team leader briefs colleagues before a presentation.

A

Ali

I still don't know what the client expects from this meeting.
S

Sara

What they've asked for in writing is pretty vague, I agree.
A

Ali

Do you know whether their CEO will be there?
S

Sara

I'm not sure. Can you ask whether we need to prepare a handout?
A

Ali

I'll also find out how long we have for the presentation.
S

Sara

Good. What concerns me most is the Q&A section.
A

Ali

That's why it matters what examples we choose.
S

Sara

Exactly. Whether we impress them today could determine the whole contract.

Practice Exercises

Complete the embedded question in statement word order.

  1. 1.
    Nobody knows __ she left so suddenly. (why / she left / why did she leave)
  2. 2.
    I wonder __ the project will be approved. (if / is it approved / it will be approved)
  3. 3.
    Can you tell me __ the next bus arrives? (when / it arrives / does it arrive)
  4. 4.
    __ you earn is your own business. (what / what do you earn / how much)
  5. 5.
    The real question is __ we can trust him. (if / whether can / whether)
  6. 6.
    She doesn't understand __ they made that decision. (why / did they make / why they made)
  7. 7.
    __ she said shocked everyone in the room.
  8. 8.
    I'm trying to figure out __ the mistake occurred. (where / where did it occur / where occurred)
  9. 9.
    Do you know __ responsible for this? (who is / who's / who has)
  10. 10.
    __ we go next depends on the results.
Indirect QuestionsAll TopicsNegative Questions

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