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? | (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:
Who is the doctor?
I know who the doctor is.
Who is a doctor?
I know who is a doctor (and who is not).
