Included Question in Question/ Embedded Questions

You might know that a sentence or phrase which is used to ask for information is called question. Mostly we ask directly our questions to get information, but to be polite and soften our question, we include our question inside another question. In this article we will look at included question in question.

Included Question in Question

An included question in question is a question that is included inside direct question or another question.

• When does the class begin?
• Do you know when the class begins?
• Where is the post office?
• Could you tell me where the post office is?

included question in question is always formed using a noun clause. This means it must use noun clause word order, subject + verb, not the usual question form. The included question in question (noun clause) is the object of a verb. Consider the example below.

• “I know what his name is.” The embedded question is what his name is, a noun clause that is the object of know.

How to Change a Direct Question into Included Question in Question?
1. Use the following phrases in included question in question.

• Can you tell me…
• Do you know…..
• Can I ask you…..
• Could you let me know….
• Do you happen to know….

2. If the direct question includes auxiliary verb such as “do, does, did” omit the auxiliary verb and change the verb to its appropriate form.

• What time did he come?
• Can you tell me what time he came?

3. If the included question in question has an auxiliary verb or the verb “to be”, reverse the positions of the subject and the auxiliary verb.

• Who is the man over there?
• Can you tell me who the man over there is? 
• Why is the teacher smiling?
• Do you know why the teacher is smiling?

4. If it is a yes/no question, then the phrase begins with “if” or “whether”. And if there is no question word in the sentence, then the included question in question can be introduced by whether, or whether not.

• Will he be there?
• Do you know if he will be there?
• Do you know whether or not he will be here?
• Do you know whether he will be there or not?
• Is he a doctor?
• Do you know if he is a doctor?

5. Do not use contractions at the end of included question in question.

• Where is she?
• Do you know where she is? (Correct)
• Do you know where she’s? (Incorrect)

More Examples:

• When does the next teacher come?
• Do you know when the next teacher comes?
• Who is the man over there?
• Could you tell me who the man over there is?
• How much do those shirts cost?
• Could you let me know how much those shirt cost?
• How did she break her leg?
• Can you tell me how she broke her leg?
• When will we get there?
• Do you happen to know when we will get there?
• What time is the train leaving?
• Could you let me know what time the train is leaving?
• Is there any more cake?
• Can I ask you whether there is more cake?