ENG_B1.1.

0401S

Embedded
Questions
Ask Questions & Give Suggestions
Speaking & Discussion
Level B1

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Embedded Questions Outline

Content
In this lesson you will learn about embedded questions and how to use them.

Learning Outcomes
• Learn various forms of embedded questions
• Practice making your own embedded questions
• Use “If” and “Whether” for embedded questions

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Grammar

Please note
An embedded question is a question included
in another statement or question.

Examples:
Direct:
Where is the printer?
Where are the restrooms?

Embedded:
Do you know where the printer is?
Can you tell me where the restrooms are?

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Grammar

Please note
Embedded questions soften questions and
make them less abrupt and direct.

Examples:
Direct:
Could you sign this?

Embedded:
I was wondering if you could sign this.

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Grammar

Please note
These phrases often introduce embedded
questions.

Could you tell me....

Do you know...
I wanted to know...
I wonder...
The question is....
Who knows...

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Exercises

Speaking

Compare these sentences.

Could you tell me where the castle is?

Excuse me, do you know where

the castle is?

What do you notice about the structure of the

sentences?

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Exercises

Speaking
Complete the sentences with embedded
questions.

1) Could you tell me _________?

2) Do you know _________?

3) I wanted to know _________?

4) I wonder _________?

5) Who knows _________?

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Exercises

Speaking
Try making these questions into
embedded questions.
1) Where is the bank?
I wonder if you could tell me...
2) Where is the nearest station?
Do you happen to know where....
3) What is the name of the hotel?
Could you tell me what...
4) Who is the head of marketing?
I wanted to know if you know...

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Grammar

When a question uses the verb “to be,“ you can swap
the position of the subject and the verb.

What time is it?

Do you know what time it is?

When a question uses an auxiliary verb, you can also

swap the position of the subject and verb.

Where has he gone?

I don‘t know where he has gone.

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Exercises

Speaking
Try making these questions into
embedded questions. Remember the
do/does/did rule.
1) What do you think about it?
I want to know...
2) What time does the party start?
I wonder....
3) When did the office change location?
Could you tell me...
4) When did she leave the company?
Do you have any idea...
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Exercises

Speaking
Try making these questions into
embedded questions.

1) What are they doing?

I‘m not too sure what...
2) When will this package come?
Do you happen to know when....
3) Where have you all been?
Could you tell me where...
4) What has she done with the money?
Do you have any idea what...
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Grammar

Please note
Remember that you can‘t contract “it is” to
“it’s” when it is at the end of a sentence.

I wonder what time it‘s.

I wonder what time it is.

Do you know what paper it‘s?

Do you know what paper it is?

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Exercises

Writing

Write four sentences embedded

questions with “if“ and “whether“.

Ex) If you aren‘t busy tonight, we could go back to my

place.

1) ____________________________________________

2) ____________________________________________

3) ____________________________________________

4) ____________________________________________

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Exercises

Speaking

Look at the image. What could she be saying

to the lady? Use embedded questions.

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Grammar

Please note
If the question is in the present simple or
present past, remove did/do/does.
Examples:

Where did he go?

I want to know where he went.

Remember to check if the verb tense is correct!

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Exercises

Speaking
Look at the image. This guy is too direct,
how can you help him out with
embedded questions.

Ex) What‘ s your name?

Could you tell me your name?
1) Where are you from?
_______________________
2) What do you want to drink?
_______________________
3) Do you like me?
_______________________

4) Should we leave together?

_______________________

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Exercises

Speaking

Fill in the embedded question with the

correct word.

1)I was wondering if you knew how much this ticket costs.

2)I‘m not too _______ if you know how to get to the station from
here.
3)Do you have any _______ when the restaurant opens?
4)Can you tell me _______ the menu is in English?

5)Do you _________ to know what time the store closes?

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Grammar

Please note

If there is no question word, we use “if“ or

“whether“ .
Does he live here?

I‘m not sure if he lives here.

Are those girls fashionable?

I‘m not sure whether those girls are

fashionable or not.

Again, not that the ‘does’ is removed and the verb ending changes.

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Exercises

Speaking

Rewrite these normal questions as

embedded questions.

1) Are they going to come over tonight?

Do you know...
2) Is she always this late?
I wonder....
3) Is that a man or a woman?
I‘m not too sure...
4) Have you been here before?
I just wanted to know...
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Opinion

Writing

Which do you prefer, embedded or direct

questions? Why?

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Exercises

Speaking

Rewrite these normal questions as

embedded questions.

1) Are they going to come over tonight?

Do you know...
2) Is she always this late?
I wonder....
3) Is that a man or a woman?
I‘m not too sure...
4) Have you been here before?
I just wanted to know...
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Exercises

Speaking

Ask a partner two embedded questions

Example:

A) Do you happen to know how much is an apartment in your city?

B) It‘s around $500 for a place that‘s pretty central.

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Thank you
for choosing to learn
with

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