Embedded Questions
Embedded questions are questions within another statement or question. They function as noun clauses and as such should generally follow statement, not question, order.
| What time is it?
I know what time is it. I know what time it is. Where did she go? I don’t know where did she go. I don’t know where she went. What does he do for a living? I wonder what does he do. I wonder what he does. Who is she? Can you tell me who is she? Can you tell me who she is? |
(question order)
(Incorrect) (Statement order: S+ V) (Question) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Question) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Question) (Incorrect) (Correct) |
When using adjectives as complements, it is okay to use question order for embedded questions:
| Who’s hungry?
I wonder who is hungry. |
(Question)
(Okay) |
In some cases, depending on the focus of the sentence, question order may be used:
Who is the doctor?
I know who the doctor is.
Who is a doctor?
I know who is a doctor (and who is not)
See also :
Grammar : Complex Question Formation, Noun Clauses
If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us. Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail.