Embedded Questions

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

The English speaker reaching for an embedded question — Could I ask what your position is on this? — is performing the same social calculation as the French speaker choosing between tu and vous.

Grammar Reference · Embedded Questions

Direct question

Where did she grow up? — main verb, inverted subject

Embedded question

I wonder where she grew up. — statement word order, no inversion

Embedded yes/no

Do you know whether he has arrived? — use whether/if, no inversion

Common error

I wonder where did she grow up ✗ → no inversion after wonder/know/whether

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Embedded Questions

1.Do you know Japanese has three separate honorific registers?

2.I wonder French professionals feel about premature tutoiement.

3.Could you tell me this phrase is considered a formality marker?

4.It is unclear directness always signals trustworthiness across every culture.

5.Nobody fully understands English lost its tu/vous distinction.

6.I'm not sure register a bilingual speaker should apply in this context.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.What does keigo mean?

2.Does French still use vous in professional settings?

3.How many countries rated directness as more trustworthy?

4.Why did English collapse the pronoun distinction?

5.Is code-switching a sign of linguistic identity or social performance?

6.Which speech level should I use with a Korean colleague I have just met?

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Embedded Questions01EnglishPlans.com