Embedded Questions

What is an embedded question?
An embedded question is a question included in another question or statement.  Embedded questions feel less abrupt, and so have a softening effect.  For example,compare the following:

    A:    What time is it? (simple question)    
    B:    Sorry.  I don't know the time. (simple statement)

    A:    Do you know what time it is? (embedded question in aquestion)
    B:    Sorry.  I don't know what time it is. (embedded question in a statement)

What is the sentence structure?
Embedded questions in statements and questions follow the same pattern. This is true for both wh-questions and yes/no embedded questions. Let's look at the following:

    main question/statement  |  interrogative  |  subject  |  verb  |  object/complement

    A:   Do you know  |  what  |  time  |  it  |  is?
    B:    I don't know  |  what  |  time  |  it  |  is.

    A:    Do you know  |  if  |  it  |  is  |  2:00?
    B:    I don't know  |  if  |  it  | is  |  2:00.

Notice the sentence structure following the interrogative (question word).  Because embedded questions are noun clauses, they follow the structure of a statement and not a question.  Inother words, always use: subject + verb + object/complement.

    Do you know  |  what  |  time  |  is  |  it?  (incorrect)
    I don't know  |  what  |  time  |  is  |  it.  (incorrect)

How areembedded questions used?
The speaker can use the following phrases when asking a question or providing a statement:
main questions |   embedded question |   |
Do you know |   what |   |
Do youremember |   where |   |
Can you tell me |   when |   |
Could you tell me |   who |   |
  |   why |   subject + verb + object |
main statements |   how |   |
I don't know |   |   |
I can'tremember |    if |   |
I'm not sure |   whether |   |
Please tell me |   |   |
Here are some examples of questions:
    Do you know what the housing market will be like next year?
    Do...