EMBEDDED QUESTIONS
An embedded question is a question that is included inside another question or statement. They are common after introductory phrases, such as :
There are 5 rules for using Embedded Questions :
Rule One
If the embedded question is part of a statement, use a period and not a question mark at the end of the sentence. Also, if the question is in the present or past simple verb tense, omit the auxiliary verbs do,does, and did and change the verb to its appropriate form, as in the example below.
- Direct question => What time did he leave ?
- Embedded question => I wonder what time he left.
Rule Two
If the embedded question includes an auxiliary verb or the verb “to be” , reverse the positions of the subject and the auxiliary verb, as in the examples below.
- Direct question => What did he say ?
- Embedded question => Could you tell me what he said?
Rule Three
Do not use a verbal contraction at the end of the sentence.
- Direct question => where is he?
- Correct embedded question => Do you know where he is?
- Incorrect Embedded question => Do you know where he’s?
Rule Four
Embedded questions are introduced by whether, whether or not , and if when there is no question word in the sentence ( yes/no questions). Example below.
- Direct yes/no question => Will he be there?
- Embedded question :
a. Do you know if he will be there?
b. Do you know whether or not he will be there?
c. Do you know whether he will be there or not?
Rule Five
The infinitive can follow a question word or whether in embedded questions, as in the following example.
- Direct question => What should I do?
- Embedded question => Please tell me what should I do?
- Embedded question with An Infinitive => Please tell me what to do
Using embedded questions :
1. Politely asking for information
- Direct question => What time does the bus arrive?
- Embedded question => Could you tell me what time the bus arrives?
2. Talking about something which is unknown to the speaker
- Direct question => Why did she decide not to come with us?
- Embedded question => I don’t know why she decided not to come with us.
Note :
The embedded question is in a statement, so it end with a period , not a question mark.
CONDITIONAL SENTENCE
Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened, and what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the word if. Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the past tenses. This usage is referred to as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but we are not actually referring to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways of constructing conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of an if clause and a main clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence construction using "unless" instead of "if".
The Zero Conditional
The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word “if” can usually be replaced by the word “when” without changing the meaning.
Type 1 Conditional
The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
Type 2 Conditional
The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
Type 3 Conditional
The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
Mixed Type Conditional
The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional.
COMPARISONS(SUPERLATIVE/COMPARATIVE)
Comparison can be made using the three forms of the adjective.
Adjective is a word and it qualifies a noun. It gives more information about the noun.
Positive Degree
The Positive Degree is used to denote the mere existence of quality.
The Positive Degree of an adjective in comparison is the adjective in its simple form. It is used to denote the mere existence of some quality of what we speak about. It is used when no comparison is made.
Example :
- It is a tall building.
- Apple is sweet to taste.
Comparative Degree
The Comparative Degree is used to compare the qualities of two persons or things.
The Comparative Degree denotes the existence of a higher degree of the quality than the positive. It is used when two things (or two sets of things) are compared.
Example :
- This building is taller than any other building.
- Apple is sweeter than pear.
Superlative Degree
The Superlative Degree denotes the existence of the highest degree of the quality. It is used when more than two things are compared.
Example :
- This is the tallest building.
- Apple is the sweetest fruit.
The Superlative Degree is used when more than two nouns or things are compared.
- Johnsy is kind (Positive Degree)
- Johnsy is kinder than Rosy (Comparative Degree)
- Johnsy is the kindest of all (Superlative Degree)
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SOURCE :
Marjorie Fuchs, Bonner Margaret, Grammar Express for self study and classroom use , Addison Wesley Longman 2OO1
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