Noun clauses
What she said…, whether…, embedded questions.
The rules
- "What she said" works as a noun: "the thing that she said".
- Use "whether" (or "if") for a yes/no question inside a sentence.
- Inside a sentence, a question uses normal word order: "where the station is".
- A "that" clause can be the subject. "If" cannot start a subject clause.
- After "The question is", use "whether" for a yes/no choice.
- A "What" clause at the start puts the focus on the end: "a holiday".
Examples
- What she said surprised everyone.
- I wonder whether he will come to the party.
- Can you tell me where the station is?
- That he was late is not the problem.
- The real question is whether we can afford it.
- What I need is a holiday.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1._____ she said surprised everyone.
2.I wonder _____ he will come to the party.
3.Which embedded question is correct?
4._____ he was late is not the problem.
5.The real question is _____ we can afford it.