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Unit 4

Lesson 1: Verbs that can be followed by noun clauses with that

The following verbs often have noun clauses as their direct objects. Notice that each verb
expresses a kind of “mental activity.” In each case, it is optional to include that.

agrees
thinks
She believes (that) the students should work harder.
feels

hear
see
We understand (that) the government has a new plan.
hope

decided
discovered
They dreamed (that) everyone could pass the test.
hoped
learned

assume
suppose
I doubt (that) they made reservations.
guess

forgot
noticed
He realized (that) the stores weren’t open.
Remembered
know

Adjectives that noun can be followed by clauses with that.

Use a clause with that after a predicate adjective of emotion to further explain its meaning.

afraid
I’m angry (that) we’ll have to leave early.

worried
We’re ashamed (that) we won’t be on time to the event.

happy
They’re sad (that) the teacher is leaving.

sorry
He’s unhappy (that) the flight was canceled.

noticed
she’s realized (that) the stores weren’t open. Ligia Aceituno – curse 4
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Unit 4

Complete each sentence in your own way. Use clauses with that.

1. When I was young, I couldn’t believe that being an adult was so difficult.
2. Last year, I decided that I should enjoy what I do.
3. This year, I was surprised to discover that I can indeed save money.
4. I'm really happy that my children have passed their courses.
5. Last week, I forgot that I enjoy audiobooks.
6. Recently, I heard that we won't be going on a year-end vacation.
7. In the future, I hope that we can go to a party.
8. Now that I study English, I know that I can't be disappointed but happy.
9. In the last year, I learned that I feel happy when contributing and learning.
10. Not long ago, I remembered that I'm afraid of not finishing college.
11. Sometimes, I’m worried that I won't deliver the work to the client on time.
12. Recently, I dreamed that I would be happy if I had my own house.
13. Recently, I dreamed that that I lost my wallet.
14. I’m afraid that that I won't be able to turn in assignments on time.
15. We’re surprised that my guinea pig is hungry all the time.

Lesson 2: Embedded question with whether.

You can also use whether to begin embedder yes / no questions. Whether has the same meaning
as if.

Tell me if that magazine is interesting. = Tell me whether that magazine in interesting.

I’d like to know if he liked the article. = I’d like to know whether he liked the article.
Could you tell me if you’ve finished that newspaper? = Could you tell me whether you’ve finished
that newspaper?

A. Rewrite each embedded question, using whether.

1. I can’t remember if there’s a test today.

I can’t remember whether there’s a test today.
2. We’re not sure if the restaurant is still open at 10:00 pm.
We’re not sure whether the restaurant is still open at 10:00
3. Could you tell me if the movie has started yet?
Could you tell me whether the movie has started yet?
4. I wonder if this hotel has 24-hour room service.
I wonder whether this hotel has 24-hour room service.
5. Would she like to know if there’s an express train?
Would she like to know whether there’s an express train?
6. Do you know if this book has a happy ending?
Do you know whether this book has a happy ending?

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Unit 4

Lesson 2: Embedded questions usage and common errors

You can use an embedded question to ask for information more politely.

Are we late? Can you tell me if we’re late?

What time is it? Can you tell me what time it is?
Why isn’t it working? Could you explain why isn’t it working?
Where’s the bathroom? Do you know where’s the bathroom?
How do I get to the bank? Would you mind telling me how I get to the bank?

Be careful!! Do not invert the subject and verb in embedded questions. Use regular statement word
order.

Do you know why she won’t read the newspaper?

Don’t say: Do you know why won’t she read the newspaper?

Can you tell me whether this bus runs express?

Don’t say: Can you tell me does this bus run express?

Phrases thar are often followed by embedded questions.

I don’t know……
I’d like to know…..
Let me know…..
I can’t remember…..
Let’s ask…..
I wonder…..
I’m not sure…..
Do you know…..?
Can you tell me…..?
Can you remember…..?
Could you explain…..?
Would you mind telling me…..?

Lesson 2: Embedded punctuation

Sentences with embedder are punctuation are punctuated according to the meaning of the
whole sentence.

If an embedded question is in a statement, use a period.

I don’t know (something). I don’t know who she is.

If an embedded question is in a question, use a question mark.

Can you tell me (something)? Can you tell me who she is?

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Unit 4

B. Combine each phrase and question to write a statement or question with an embedded
question.

1. Please let me know (when does the movie star?)

Please let me know when the movie starts.

2. I wonder (where is the subway station?)

I wonder where the subway station is.

3. Can you tell me (how do you know that?)

Can you tell me how you know that?

4. We’re not sure (What should we bring for dinner?)

We're not sure what we should bring for dinner.

5. They’d like to understand (why doesn’t Pat want to come to the meeting?)
They'd like to understand why Pat doesn't want to come to the meeting.

6. Please tell the class (who painted this picture?)

Please tell the class who painted this picture.

C. Rewrite each question more politely, using noun clauses with embedded questions.
Begin each one with a different phrase. Follow the example.

Where’s the airport? Can you tell me where the airport is?

1. What time does the concert start?

Do you know what time the concert starts?

2. How does this new e-reader work?

Could you explain how this new e-reader works?

3. Why is the express train late?

Would you happen to know why the express train is late?

4. Where is the nearest bathroom?

Can you tell me where the nearest bathroom is?

5. Who speaks English at that hotel?

I don’t know who speaks English at that hotel.

6. When does flight 18 arrive from Paris?

Do you know when flight 18 arrives from Paris?

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Unit 4

D. Correct the wording and punctuation errors in each item.

1. Could you please tell me does this train go to Nagoya.

Could you please tell me whether this train goes to Nagoya?

2. I was wondering can I get your phone number?

I was wondering if I can get your phone number.

3. I’d like to know what time does the next bus arrive?
I'd like to know what time the next bus arrives.

4. Can you remember where did he use to live?

Do you remember where he used to live?

5. I’m not sure why do they keep calling me.

I'm not sure why they keep calling me.

6. I wonder will she come on time?

I wonder whether she will come on time.

Ligia Aceituno – curse 4