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?
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(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:
