Included questions—also known as embedded questions—are questions that appear inside another sentence rather than standing alone. Instead of asking a direct question like “Where is the nearest bank?” we embed it into a larger structure: “Do you know where the nearest bank is?” In this way, the question becomes part of a statement or another question, which softens the tone and often makes the speaker sound more polite, indirect, or tentative.
Grammatically, included questions function as noun clauses, meaning they can act as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. They typically follow reporting or introductory phrases such as Do you know…, I wonder…, Can you tell me…, or I’m not sure…. One key structural feature is that included questions use statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order.
Included questions are just one type of noun clause. For a complete guide to the structure, rules, and uses of noun clauses in English, read: Master Noun Clauses in English: Practical Rules, Examples, and Practice.
Wh- questions with an auxiliary or a be verb
Use statement word order (Subject + Verb) in the included question.
- Normal Question: Why can’t I use ChatGPT for my essay?
- Included Question: I’d like to know why I can’t use ChatGPT for my essay.
- Normal Question: When is the party?
- Included Question: Can you tell me when the party is?
The introductory phrase “Can you tell me” is a question, so we use a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. If the introductory phrase is not a question, do not use a question mark.
Yes/No questions with an auxiliary or a be verb
Use statement word order (Subject + Verb) in the included question.
For Yes/No questions use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ in the included question.
- Normal Question: Should I order the tacos?
- Included Question: I’m not sure if I should order the tacos.
- Normal Question: Is there a bank near here?
- Included Question: Let’s ask this man if a bank is near here.
Wh- questions with ‘do, does, or did’
Remove ‘do, does, or did’
Word order does not change!
You may need to change the form of the main verb so the subject agrees with the verb. This is not the same as shifting the tense back.
- Normal Question: What time do you go to work?
- Included Question: Can you tell me what time you go to work?
Remove ‘do’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
The main verb (go) in the included question does not change. With a plural subject (you) use the base form of the main verb (go).
The introductory phrase “Can you tell me . . .” is a question, so you must use a question mark (?) at the end of the included question.
- Normal Question: When does flight 2569 arrive?
- Included Question: I’m not sure when flight 2569 arrives.
Remove ‘does’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
Notice the change to the main verb (arrive) in the included question. With a singular subject (flight 2569) use the -s form of the main verb (arrives).
- Normal Question: Where did Alejandra go after school?
- Included Question: I’d like to know where Alejandra went after school.
Remove ‘did’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
Notice the change to the main verb (go) in the included question. When the normal question is in the past, you must change the main verb in the included question to the past tense. This is not shifting tenses.
Yes/No questions with ‘do, does, or did’
Remove ‘do, does, or did’
For Yes/No questions use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ in the included question.
Word order does not change!
You may need to change the form of the main verb so the subject agrees with the verb. This is not the same as shifting the tense back.
- Normal Question: Do your students watch TikTok videos during class?
- Included Question: The principal wants to know if your students watch TikTok videos during class.
Remove ‘do’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
The main verb (watch) in the included question does not change. With a plural subject (students) use the base form of the main verb (go).
- Normal Question: Does that bus go downtown?
- Included Question: The schedule can tell you if that bus goes downtown.
Remove ‘does’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
Notice the change to the main verb (go) in the included question. With a singular subject (bus) use the -s form of the main verb (goes).
- Normal Question: Did you finish your homework?
- Included Question: The teacher would like to know if you finished your homework.
Remove ‘did’
Word order does not change:
Subject + Verb in the normal question and the included question.
Notice the change to the main verb (finish) in the included question. When the normal question is in the past, you must change the main verb in the included question to the past tense. This is not shifting tenses.
Wh- questions about the subject
No change in word order.
- Normal Question: Who ate the last slice of pizza?
- Included Question: Please tell me who ate the last slice of pizza.
Wh- questions about the subject:
Who studied for the exam? (The answer to ‘who’ is the subject in the answer)
The students studied for the exam.
❌ Using question word order inside the noun clause
→ Do you know where is the bank?
✔ Do you know where the bank is?
❌ Forgetting to remove do / does / did
→ Can you tell me what time does the meeting start?
✔ Can you tell me what time the meeting starts?
❌ Forgetting if / whether in yes/no questions
→ I’m not sure he is coming.
✔ I’m not sure if he is coming.
❌ Incorrect verb form after removing does
→ Do you know when the class start?
✔ Do you know when the class starts?
❌ Not changing the verb to past after removing did
→ I’d like to know where she go yesterday.
✔ I’d like to know where she went yesterday.
❌ Using a question mark when the sentence is not a question
→ I wonder where she is going?
✔ I wonder where she is going.
Check Your Understanding of Included Questions
Change the normal question into a sentence with a noun clause (Included Question). Use correct ending punctuation.
1. What grade did I get on the quiz?
Do you know __________________________________________
2. What time does the meeting start?
Excuse me, do you know ___________________________________
3. Where is the nearest gas station?
Can you tell me __________________________________________
4. Should we bring our laptops to class?
I’m not sure __________________________________________
5. Does this train stop at the airport?
Could you tell me ____________________________________
6. Why did Ana leave early?
I’d like to know __________________________________________
7. Who drank all of the coffee?
The teacher wants to know _________________________________
8. When does your professor hold office hours?
I’m not sure __________________________________________
9. Does this restaurant accept credit cards?
Let’s find out __________________________________________
10. How can we improve our speaking skills?
The teacher explained ____________________________________
1. Do you know what grade I got on the quiz?
2. Excuse me, do you know what time the meeting starts?
3. Can you tell me where the nearest gas station is?
4. I’m not sure if we should bring our laptops to class.
5. Could you tell me if this train stops at the airport?
6. I’d like to know why Ana left early.
7. The teacher wants to know who drank all of the coffee.
8. I’m not sure when your professor holds office hours.
9. Let’s find out if this restaurant accepts credit cards.
10. The teacher explained how we can improve our speaking skills.
❌ Using Spanish question structure (inversion) inside the noun clause
→ Do you know where is the bank?
✔ Do you know where the bank is?
(Spanish: “¿Dónde está el banco?” → inversion is normal in Spanish, but NOT in included questions in English)
❌ Forgetting if / whether (Spanish uses “si”)
→ I don’t know he is coming.
✔ I don’t know if he is coming.
❌ Keeping do / does / did (no equivalent in Spanish)
→ Can you tell me what time does the class start?
✔ Can you tell me what time the class starts?
❌ Subject confusion or omission
→ Do you know where is?
✔ Do you know where he is?
(Spanish often drops the subject: “¿Dónde está?” → English requires it)
❌ Literal translation of “qué” vs. “cuál”
→ Can you tell me which is your name?
✔ Can you tell me what your name is?
❌ Overusing “that” or adding unnecessary connectors
→ I want to know that where she lives.
✔ I want to know where she lives.
Conclusion: Mastering Included Questions
Included questions are a key structure for sounding more natural, polite, and fluent in English. Instead of asking direct questions, you can embed them into longer sentences to express uncertainty, make requests more respectful, or report information more smoothly.
The most important takeaway is structure:
- Use statement word order (subject + verb)
- Remove do / does / did when necessary
- Use if or whether for yes/no questions
- Pay attention to verb forms, especially with third-person singular and past tense
These small changes make a big difference in how your English sounds. Mastering included questions will help you communicate more effectively in academic settings, professional environments, and everyday conversations.
Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. You are moving beyond English to more opportunities, connections, and self-expression!
Want to explore more English grammar topics? Visit the Cambridge Grammar Guide for additional explanations and examples.
👉 Explore the Cambridge Grammar Guide
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