Grammar

Indirect Questions: Theory

Theory · read before you start

Why We Use Indirect Questions

We use indirect questions to be polite - especially with people we don't know, like asking a stranger for directions in the street. Instead of asking directly, we start with a polite phrase.

STARTER PHRASES

Could you tell me...?

Do you know...?

Can you tell me...?

I wonder if you could tell me...?

Would you mind telling me...?

Key rule: after the polite phrase, use normal sentence word order - subject before verb. Don't use question word order.

EXAMPLES

Direct: Where is the bank?
Indirect: Could you tell me where the bank is?

Theory · read before you start

Yes / No Questions

For yes/no questions, add the word 'if' and use normal word order. We don't usually need to change the tense.

With do / does / did questions, the indirect question doesn't need 'do/does/did' at all - just if + subject + verb.

Direct question	Indirect question
Is he Spanish?	Can you tell me if he is Spanish?
Does David live in London?	Can you tell me if David lives in London?
Did Amanda call John?	Can you tell me if Amanda called John?
Have you been to Mexico?	Can you tell me if you've been to Mexico?
Can you help me?	Can you tell me if you can help me?

Theory · read before you start

Wh- Questions

For wh- questions (where, what, why, when, how...), keep the question word, then use normal word order. No 'do/does/did' either.

Direct question	Indirect question
Where is the station?	Could you tell me where the station is?
What time does the film start?	Do you know what time the film starts?
Why was he late?	Can you tell me why he was late?
How long have you lived here?	Could you tell me how long you've lived here?
What should we do now?	Can you tell me what we should do now?

Theory · read before you start

Watch Out for This Mistake

It's easy to slip back into question word order by accident, especially with the verb 'be'. Keep the subject before the verb.

Remember: the verb comes after the subject, just like in a normal sentence.

EXAMPLES

Correct: Could you tell me where the station is?
Wrong: Could you tell me where is the station?

Indirect Questions: Practice

Sentence transform · type your rewritten sentence

Change these direct questions into indirect questions using 'Can you tell me...?' (Present Simple)

1."Where does she play tennis?"

2."Does he live in Paris?"

3."Is she hungry?"

4."What is this?"

5."Do they work in Canada?"

6."When do John and Luke meet?"

7."Is he a lawyer?"

8."When is the party?"

9."Do they often go out?"

10."What does he do at the weekend?"

11."Are the children on holiday this week?"

12."Who is she?"

13."Why do you like travelling so much?"

14."Does Lizzie like ice cream?"

15."Are they from Chile?"

16."Where is the station?"

17."Where do you study Chinese?"

18."Where is the nearest supermarket?"

19."Do you drink coffee?"

20."Is Richard always late?"

Sentence transform · type your rewritten sentence

Change these direct questions into indirect questions using 'Do you know...?' (Past Simple)

1."Did she go out last night?"

2."Where did she meet her brother?"

3."How was the film?"

4."Was David the first to arrive?"

5."Did Lucy work at home yesterday?"

6."What was the problem?"

7."Who did we see at the party?"

8."Did Zac call his mum yesterday?"

9."Were they at the beach?"

10."Where was the class?"

11."Why did they arrive so late?"

12."Was she at home yesterday?"

13."How did she do it?"

14."Were they in the garden?"

15."Did they arrive late?"

16."Did John finish the report?"

17."Were we late for the meeting?"

18."What did they do at the weekend?"

19."Why was she so early?"

20."Where was Julie yesterday afternoon?"

Sentence transform · type your rewritten sentence

Change these direct questions into indirect questions using 'Could you tell me...?' (Modal Verbs)

1."Can she swim?"

2."When can they come?"

3."Ought I to work tomorrow?"

4."Why must she leave?"

5."Must he cook tonight?"

6."Why should I leave early?"

7."How well can she swim?"

8."Why ought he to become a doctor?"

9."Can he work on Monday?"

10."Why can't they leave now?"

11."Should he get there before 7?"

12."When should we go?"

13."Can he come to the restaurant?"

14."Must she leave?"

15."What can't we bring onto the plane?"

16."Should I take this medicine?"

17."Who ought she to see?"

18."Can they arrive before 6?"

19."When must he meet the boss?"

20."Ought she to go to bed early?"

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

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