Embedded and Indirect Questions

Embedded Questionsand Indirect Questions : 

Embedded Questionsand Indirect Questions How do you make this grammar? When do you use it?

An Embedded Question is . . . : 

An Embedded Question is . . . . . . a sentence with 2 clauses; the second clause contains a question. *BUT, the structure of the question is in sentence form. Here are some examples:

Examples . . . : 

Examples . . . Regular Question: Where is the bank? Why was the little girl crying? What did the teacher say? Embedded Question: I don’t know where the bank is. I wonder why the little girl was crying. I don’t know what the teacher said.

Indirect Questions . . . : 

Indirect Questions . . . . . . have the same function as regular questions, but the grammar is a little different. Here are some examples:

Examples . . . : 

Examples . . . Regular Question: What will the weather be like tomorrow? Why were you absent yesterday? Where is the bookstore? Indirect Question: Do you have any idea what the weather will be like tomorrow? Can you tell me why you were absent yesterday? Do you know where the bookstore is?

Structure: : 

Structure: For embedded and indirect questions, we sart with an introductory clause. This is a main clause. It can be a sentence or a question. Can you tell me...? I wonder... Do you know...? Do you have any idea...? I don't know . . . Tell me...

Slide 7: 

Main clause: I’d like to know… Tell me… I don’t know… I wonder… Do you know…? Can you tell me…? Do you have any idea…? Dependent clause: Wh- questions: …WHEN the bus arrives. …WHERE Susan is. …HOW much the book costs. Yes/No questions: …IF we have a test today? …WHETHER Susan is sick? …IF it’s going to rain? +

Slide 8: 

WH- questions: the dependent clause begins with a WH- word: who, what, when, where, why, how I don’t know who won the game Can you tell me when she left? ____________________________________________________ Yes/No questions: have a dependent clause that begins with: if, whether *whether = more formal I don’t know if the Padres won. Can you tell me whether I passed the test?

Slide 9: 

Use/ Function: You can use an embedded or indirect question any time you use a regular question. *Indirect questions are often more polite because they have a polite introductory clause: Could you tell me…? Do you know…?

Practice! : 

Practice! On your own paper, rewrite each regular question as an embedded or indirect question. Then give your paper to your teacher to correct. Wh- questions 1. Where is the restroom? (use: “Do you know…?”) 2. Where did Janet go? (use: “Can you tell me…?”) 3. When is our summer break? (use: “Do you have any idea…?”) 4. Why did she leave? (use: “I’d like to know…”) 5. Who is the Dean of ECC? (use: “I don’t know…”)

Slide 11: 

yes/no questions (if or whether) 6. Is the teacher sick today? (use: “Do you know…?”) 7. Does ECC have a library? (use: “Can you tell me…?”) 8. Did Paul leave class early? (use: “Do you know…?”) 9. Does Janet have a cell phone? (use: “I don’t know…”) 10.Do your kids speak English well? (use: “Tell me…”)

Grammar Tips: : 

Grammar Tips: Remember: we only use DO, DOES, and DID in Questions and negatives. When you are writing the dependent clause in an Indirect Question, do NOT use Do, Does, or Did. Examples: regular question: Where did the teacher go? indirect question: Do you know WHERE did the teacher go? Do you know WHERE the teacher went? Note: After the WH- word, IF, or WHETHER . . . Use a sentence, NOT a question. correct =>

Slide 13: 

This grammar can be tough…. So be sure to ask your teacher or other classmates for help if you need it. Remember: practice makes perfect! So review your notes and your textbook!