EFL/ESL lanaguage

1. Indirect or Embedded
Questions
BEW Lesson 4

2. What are indirect or embedded questions?
These are
sentences that
ask a question
in an indirect
way and are
part of a
longer
sentence.
Do you know what time the
staff meeting begins?
Could you please explain what
they are going to discussed at
the conference?
I was wondering why we need to do all the
writing tasks?

3. When do we use indirect or embedded
questions?
We use indirect or embedded questions in polite
and formal situations – in writing and in speaking.
What do you think
we should write
next?
Would you please
share your
experience with
us?
Would you be wiling to
come to our school and
give a lecture?
We were wondering if you could
send us a brochure with your
newest products?

4. Why do we use indirect or embedded
questions?
We use them
to soften our
request or to
make our
request more
polite or more
formal.
What are they going to discuss at the conference?
OR
Could you please explain what they are going to
discuss at the conference?
What time is the staff meeting?
OR
Do you know what time the staff meeting begins?
Why do we need to do all the writing tasks?
OR
I was wondering why we need to do all the writing tasks?
Compare the two. Which is more polite?

5. How do we form indirect or embedded
questions?
The sentences
have 2 clauses –
one that is an
introduction (to
soften) and one
that is the
request (to ask
for something).
Do you know what time the staff
meeting begins?
I was wondering why we need to
do all the writing tasks?
Could you please explain what they
are going to discuss at the
conference?

6. How do we form indirect or embedded questions?
But Debbie, something doesn’t make
sense? The introductory part of the
sentence is a question and the other part
is not a question!!!!
Great observation!
Do you know what time the staff
meeting begins?
That is the trick that softens the request!
Let’s take a closer look at how it works.

7. How do we form indirect or embedded questions?
What time does the staff meeting begin?
Do you know what time the staff meeting begins?
A regular question in English is formed by using a
Wh-word/phrase, a helping verb + Subject + verb
phrase.
In indirect questions, we make the introduction the
question, add a Wh-word and then a statement.

8. Good manners,
polite requests
=
cultural
understanding
and good
business
Now you are
ready to go!