Noun clause - embedded questions

Embedded Questions (video)

1.      The form

We say:       Where has Tom gone?

But     Do you know where Tom has gone? (not Do you know where has Tom gone?)

When the question (Where has Tom gone?) is part of a longer sentence (Do you know …?/ I don’t know …/ Can you tell me …? etc.), the word order changes. We say:

What time is it? Who are those people? Where can I find Linda? How much will it cost?

à Do you know what time it is? à I don’t know who those people are. à Can you tell me where I can find Linda. à Do you have any idea how much it will cost?

Be careful with do/does/did questions. We say:

What time does the film begin? What do you mean? Why did she leave early?

à Do you know what time the film begins? à Please explain what you mean. à I wonder why she left early.

Use if or whether where there is no other question word (What, why etc.) :

Did anybody see you?

à Do you know if anybody saw you? Or   Do you know whether anybody saw you?

Try the following questions

Exercise: Change the following questions to noun clauses after the appropriate main clauses supplied.

1. When does the train arrive?
Do you know answerwhen the train arrives?

2. Was Sam in San Francisco last year?
I don't know answerif Sam was in San Francisco last year.whether...

3. Where's your brother going to live next year?
I'm not exactly sure answerwhere my brother is going to live next year.

4. What is the teacher's name?
Can you tell me answerwhat the teacher's name is?

5. Does this school have a cafeteria?
Could you please tell me answerif this school has a cafeteria?whether ...

6. When did the new factory open?
Do you remember answerwhen the new factory opened?

7. Where can I find a good shoe store?
Do you happen to know answerwhere I can find a good shoe store?

8. How far is Oregon from here?
I'd like to find out answerhow far Oregon is from here.

9. What time is it?
Could you please tell me answerwhat time it is?

10. Are there any new employees this week?
I really can't tell you answer if there are any new employees this week.whether ...

Embedded question exercises:

Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (1).doc answer keys: Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (1) answer keys.doc
Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (2).doc answer keys: Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (2) answer keys.doc
Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (3).doc answer keys: Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (3) answer keys.doc
Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (4).doc answer keys: Noun Clauses - Embedded questions (3) answer keys.doc

Embedded question on-line exercises:
Embedded questions on ESL Study Zone
Embedded questions on ESL Lessons