Embedded questions (also called indirect questions) are questions placed inside a statement or another question. They use statement word order and sound more polite and formal than direct questions. Mastering them is essential for professional communication.
In a direct question, the auxiliary comes before the subject: "Where does she live?" In an embedded question, word order changes to subject + verb (statement order): "I don't know where she lives." The auxiliary (does/did) disappears entirely. This is the most important rule for embedded questions.
Practice
Could you tell me where ___ the nearest pharmacy?
I'm not sure what timeopen.
Put the words in the correct order (embedded question):
In direct questions with non-be, non-modal verbs, we use do/does/did: "What does she want?" When this becomes embedded, remove the auxiliary entirely: "I wonder what she wants." The main verb conjugates normally in the embedded clause: "Do you know what he said?" (not "what did he say").
Practice
Direct: "How much does it cost?" → Embedded: "Can you tell me how much ___?"
I'd like to know whothis decision.
Convert to embedded: "Where did they go?" → Put the embedded version in order:
When embedding a yes/no question, there is no question word to introduce the clause. Instead, add "if" or "whether (or not)". "Is she coming?" → "I don't know if she is coming." / "I don't know whether she is coming or not." Both "if" and "whether" are correct; "whether" is slightly more formal. Word order remains statement order.
Practice
"Is the meeting cancelled?" → "Do you know ___ the meeting is cancelled?"
She asked meI had eaten already.
Put the words in the correct order: