SAT embedded questions and question marks

Definition of an embedded question

An embedded question is a question incorporated into a statement or another question, often introduced by phrases like 'I wonder' or 'She asked.'

Example of an embedded question

He asked whether she was coming to the party.

Embedded question format

Use a statement format: 'I know where he lives.' No question mark needed.

True or False: Embedded questions need question marks.

False: Embedded questions do not take question marks when included in statements.

Identify the embedded question: 'I wonder where she is going.'

'where she is going' is the embedded question.

Fill in the blank: She asked _____ he finished the project.

whether or if.

Difference between embedded and direct questions

Direct questions require a question mark and can stand alone. Embedded questions cannot stand alone.

When do you use 'if' vs 'whether'?

Use 'if' for yes/no questions; use 'whether' for alternatives.

True or False: 'He asked if I could help' is correct.

True: This is a correctly formatted embedded question.

What precedes an embedded question?

An introductory phrase like 'I wonder' or 'She asked'.

Convert to embedded question: 'Where is the nearest gas station?'

I want to know where the nearest gas station is.

Correct the error: I asked him, where he was going.

I asked him where he was going.

Identify the error: I asked her do you want tea?

Correct: I asked her if she wanted tea.

Effect of using a question mark in embedded questions

Using a question mark incorrectly can confuse the reader and disrupt the sentence flow.

Example of an indirect question

She wanted to know what time it was.

Structure of an embedded question

Subject + verb structure: 'I know where you live.' No inversion.

When to use a question mark?

Use a question mark at the end of a direct question. Example: Where are you going?

Direct question example

Did you finish the homework?

Indirect question example

She asked if you were coming.

True or False: Indirect questions need question marks.

False. Indirect questions do not require question marks.

Fill in the blank: Who is coming to the party ____

Answer with a question mark: Who is coming to the party?

Difference between direct and indirect questions

Direct questions ask for information directly. Indirect questions report what someone asked.

Example of an embedded question

I wonder where she went.

What punctuation follows: 'Can you believe it'

A question mark: 'Can you believe it?'

True or False: Rhetorical questions need question marks.

True. Rhetorical questions are still questions.

Examples of rhetorical questions

Isn't this amazing? What were you thinking?

Use a question mark with quotations:

Example: Did she say, 'We're leaving soon'?

Direct vs. indirect: 'What time is it?' vs. 'She asked what time it was.'

Direct question uses a question mark; indirect does not.

Identify punctuation: 'Is this correct'

Needs a question mark: 'Is this correct?'

Use a question mark with tag questions:

Example: It's nice outside, isn't it?

What is the rule for multiple questions?

Use a question mark after each direct question. Example: Where are you going? Are you ready?

Question mark usage in commands

Use a question mark if the command is phrased as a question. Example: Can you help me?

Embedded question: correct format?

An embedded question should not have a question mark at the end. E.g., She asked if he was coming.

True or False: "He wondered, where is she?"

False. It should be: He wondered where she was.

Identify the error: "Can you tell me where is the store?"

The correct form is: "Can you tell me where the store is?"

Fill in the blank: She asked him ____ the meeting was.

whether or not. Correct: She asked him whether or not the meeting was.

Difference between direct and embedded questions?

Direct questions require a question mark. Embedded questions do not. E.g., Direct: "Where are you?" Embedded: "I wonder where you are."

Correct or Incorrect: "Do you know if he is there?"

Correct. It properly formats the embedded question.

Identify the error: "I don’t remember where did I put it."

The correct form is: "I don’t remember where I put it."

True or False: "She asked, could you help?" is correct.

False. It should be: She asked if I could help.

Example of embedded question?

Example: "She wants to know where he went." (No question mark needed.)

Correct use of question mark: "If you know, when is the test?"

Correct. It’s a direct question; the question mark is needed.

Fill in the blank: I wonder ____ he will join us.

if. Correct: I wonder if he will join us.

Correct or Incorrect: "Can you tell me when is the meeting?"

Incorrect. Should be: "Can you tell me when the meeting is?"

True or False: "He asked where was the library?" is correct.

False. It should be: He asked where the library was.

Identify the error: "She asked me how much does it cost?"

Correct form: "She asked me how much it costs."

Difference: "What time is it?" vs. "I wonder what time it is."

The first is direct; the second is embedded (no question mark needed).

Fill in the blank: Do you know ___ the concert starts?

when. Correct: Do you know when the concert starts?

Identify the embedded question: She asked if he was coming.

Embedded question: 'if he was coming'.

True or False: Question marks are needed in indirect questions.

False. Indirect questions do not need question marks.

Fill in the blank: I wonder _____ he will attend the event.

if

What punctuation is used in: 'Do you know where she went'?

No question mark; it's embedded.

List two examples of embedded questions.

- He asked where the store was. - She wants to know when the meeting starts.

Identify the error: She asked, 'where is the store?'

Should be: She asked where the store was.

Fill in the blank: Can you tell me _____ the meeting is?

when

What is the correct format: She wondered whether he liked pizza?

Remove the question mark: 'She wondered whether he liked pizza.'

True or False: Direct questions in embedded form need question marks.

False. They do not need question marks.

Explain the difference: 'He asked, Where are you?' vs. 'He asked where you are.'

First is direct; second is embedded.

When do you use a question mark in a sentence?

Only in direct questions.

Fill in the blank: I don’t know _____ you are going.

where

Identify the embedded question: She wants to know what time it is.

Embedded question: 'what time it is'.

True or False: She asked, 'Could you help me' is correct.

False. It should be: 'She asked if I could help her.'

List two common errors with question marks.

- Using in indirect questions. - Omission in direct questions.

Provide an example of an indirect question.

Could you tell me why he left?