Forming embedded questions
We use the same rules with embedded questions in statements as we do with
embedded questions in indirect questions.
1. If there is a question word, we keep it.
2. If there is no question word, we use 'if' or 'whether'.
3. We use normal sentence grammar (so we don't need 'do / does / did').
4. We use normal sentence word order (subject + verb, not the opposite).
5. We use a full stop and not a question mark at the end of the sentence.
Here are some examples of verbs that we often use with embedded questions:
•Wonder: I wonder why she said that.
•Know: They don't know what they're doing.
•Remember: We don't remember where the house is.
•Be sure: I'm not sure when we're going to arrive.
•Find out: Let's find out what time the show starts.
•Think about: She's thinking about how she's going to do it.
•Forget: I've forgotten why I started this.
Embedded Questions in Statements Exercise 1
1. Where does she live? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
2. What arrived in the post? I don’t
know______________________________________________________________
__.
3. How did they have the idea? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
4. When is she working? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
5. Why did he leave? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
6. Has she eaten? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
7. Have they found a flat? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
8. Did the teacher go on the training course? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
9. Did Julie like school? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
10. Will David get a new job? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
11. Whose socks are those? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
12. Where is the office? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
13. Who drinks coffee? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
14. How did it happen? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
15. Why will she be sleeping at 7pm? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
16. Will I pass the exam? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
17. Does Jenny own a car? I don’t know
_______________________________________________________________.
18. Had I had dinner before I met Jack? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
19. Is the boss coming today? I don’t know
________________________________________________________________.
20. Has Amanda got a new job? I don’t know
__________________________________________________________________
_____.