opening phrase + if/whether + subject + verbFor yes/no meaning, use if or whether and keep normal statement order in the embedded part.
Embedded Questions
B1Embedded questions use an opening phrase plus a question inside it. After if, whether, or a wh-word, keep statement word order.
What you'll learn
- Build embedded yes/no questions with if or whether and statement order.
- Keep statement word order after who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- Use be directly inside the embedded part without do or does.
- Choose opening phrases that make questions sound less direct.
- Recognize common openers like I wonder and Do you know.
Structure
opening phrase + wh-word + subject + verbAfter the wh-word, the embedded part stays in statement order, not question order.
opening phrase + wh-word/if/whether + subject + beWith be, use the be-form directly inside the embedded clause. Do not add do or does.
Build a sentence
Opening phrase
Question part
I wonderifTomishome
I wonder if Tom is home.
After if, keep statement order: Tom is, not is Tom.
When to use
Polite questions
Use embedded questions when you want to ask for information in a softer way: Could you tell me where the station is?
Not sure
Use I wonder if or whether when you are uncertain: I wonder whether Lisa is busy.
Reporting information gaps
Use embedded questions after I don't know, Do you know, or Can you tell me to talk about missing information.
Markers
I wonderDo you knowCan you tell meCould you tell meI'd like to know
Common mistakes
Wrong
I wonder if is Tom at home.
Correct
I wonder if Tom is at home.
Inside the embedded part, use statement order: subject before be.
Wrong
Do you know whether does Anna work here?
Correct
Do you know whether Anna works here?
The opening phrase already introduces the question. The embedded part keeps statement order.
Wrong
Can you tell me where is Maria?
Correct
Can you tell me where Maria is.
After where in an embedded question, put the subject before be.
Wrong
I don't know why does he leave early.
Correct
I don't know why he leaves early.
Do not use question inversion inside the embedded part.
Wrong
Do you know where she does is?
Correct
Do you know where she is?
With be, use is directly. Do does not go before be inside the embedded clause.
Common misconceptions
❝ If a sentence contains a question, every part of it must use question word order. ❞
Only the main direct question uses question order. Inside an embedded question, English uses statement order.
❝ After I wonder, I can keep the same yes/no question form and only add the opening phrase. ❞
After I wonder, use if or whether and change the rest to statement order: I wonder if he is ready.
Skills in this rule (5)
IF_WHETHER_STATEMENT_ORDERw5Use if or whether with statement word order after an opening phrase
After phrases like I wonder, Do you know, or Can you tell me, use if or whether and keep normal subject + verb order. Do not invert the subject and auxiliary inside the embedded part.
WH_WORD_STATEMENT_ORDERw5Keep statement word order after a wh-word in an embedded question
After who, what, where, when, why, or how, the embedded part stays in normal statement order. The subject comes before the verb or auxiliary.
NO_DO_DOES_WITH_BEw4Do not add do or does before be in an embedded question
With be, the embedded clause uses the form of be directly: where she is, if they are ready. Do not add do or does before be.
USE_OPENING_PHRASESw3Use common opening phrases to ask more politely
Use openings like I wonder, Could you tell me, Do you know, or I'd like to know before the question part to sound less direct.
PICK_COMMON_OPENERSw2Recognize common opening phrases for embedded questions
Phrases like I wonder, Do you know, Can you tell me, and I'd like to know often introduce embedded questions and signal a less direct style.