Indirect questions are a way of asking for information in a more polite and formal way. Instead of asking directly, we use an introductory phrase before the main question.<\/p>\n
The structure of indirect questions is different from direct ones. In direct questions, we use inversion (placing the verb before the subject), but in indirect questions, we use the word order of a normal statement.<\/p>\n
Introductory phrase + question word + subject + verb + rest of the sentence<\/b><\/p>\n
Can you tell me where the bathroom is?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Inversion means changing the usual word order by placing the verb before the subject. When learning English tenses, we are taught that questions are formed by using inversion.<\/p>\n
However, in indirect questions, we do NOT use inversion. Instead, we follow the word order of a statement, where the verb comes after the subject rather than before, as in most direct questions.<\/p>\n
This is a key difference between direct and indirect questions, and one of the most common mistakes learners make.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Many learners apply inversion incorrectly because most English questions use it. However, indirect questions do not<\/strong> use inversion.<\/p>\n Indirect questions are also known as embedded questions<\/strong> because they are \u201cembedded\u201d inside another sentence.<\/p>\n To form an indirect question, we start with a polite phrase, such as:<\/p>\n If the introductory phrase is part of a statement<\/strong>, we do not<\/strong> use a question mark.<\/p>\n However, if the indirect question is still part of a question<\/strong>, we use a question mark.<\/p>\n In Simple tenses<\/strong> (Present Simple, Past Simple), we use the auxiliary verb<\/strong> do\/did<\/em> to form direct questions. However, in indirect questions<\/strong>, we do not<\/strong> use the auxiliary verb do\/did<\/em>.<\/p>\n In Past Simple<\/strong>, the auxiliary verb<\/strong> takes the past form did<\/em>, while the main verb stays in its base form. However, in an indirect question<\/strong>, we remove the auxiliary verb, so the main verb<\/strong> (visit) takes the past form (visited).<\/p>\n In the direct question<\/strong>, the verb do<\/em> appears twice\u2014as an auxiliary verb<\/strong> (did) and as the main verb<\/strong> (do). However, in the indirect question<\/strong>, we remove the auxiliary verb, so do<\/em> appears only once as the main verb (did).<\/p>\n In Present Simple<\/strong>, the verb do<\/em> changes to does<\/em> in the third-person singular<\/strong> (he, she, it). Learn more in the article on do vs does<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Open-ended questions<\/strong> are questions that start with wh-<\/em> words like what, where, why,<\/em> and require a detailed answer. They can be used in both direct and indirect questions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In direct questions<\/strong>, the verb comes before<\/strong> the subject (inversion).<\/p>\n In indirect questions<\/strong>, the verb comes after<\/strong> the subject.<\/p>\n In direct questions<\/strong>, the verb to be is placed before<\/strong> the subject.<\/p>\n In indirect questions<\/strong>, to be comes after<\/strong> the subject.<\/p>\n This rule applies to both open-ended<\/strong> and closed questions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A frequent mistake in indirect questions<\/strong> is placing to be<\/em> before the subject. Remember:<\/p>\n In indirect questions, to be<\/em> follows the subject.<\/p>\n In indirect questions, we remove the auxiliary verb do<\/em>\u2014even when the question begins with what, why, where<\/em>, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Closed questions<\/strong> are questions that can only be answered with yes<\/strong> or no<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In direct questions<\/strong>, we form them using inversion<\/strong> (changing the word order) or the auxiliary verb<\/strong> do\/did<\/em>. Yes\/No questions are changed into indirect questions using if<\/strong> or whether<\/strong> (this is pretty formal).<\/p>\n
\nCommon Phrases Used in Indirect Questions<\/h2>\n
\nCould you tell me\u2026?<\/strong>
\nDo you have any idea\u2026?<\/strong>
\nDo you know\u2026?<\/strong>
\nI can\u2019t remember\u2026<\/strong>
\nI was wondering\u2026<\/strong>
\nI wonder\u2026<\/strong>
\nI\u2019d like to know\u2026<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m not sure\u2026<\/strong>
\nWould it be possible\u2026?<\/strong>
\nWould you mind\u2026?<\/strong><\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Could you tell me where you live?<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> I\u2019d like to know when the train leaves.<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Do you know why she left so early?<\/div>\n
\nDo We Use a Question Mark in Indirect Questions?<\/h2>\n
\nI\u2019d like to know what your name is.<\/div>\n
\nCould you tell me what time it is?<\/div>\n
\nDirect vs. Indirect Questions \u2013 Types of Questions<\/h2>\n
Questions with \u201cdo\/did\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nIndirect:<\/b> I\u2019d like to know if you visited that museum.<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/b> I wonder what you watched yesterday.<\/div>\nRemember!<\/h5>\n
Open Questions (Wh- Questions)<\/h3>\n
\nDo you know where she is going?<\/b> (indirect question \u2013 is<\/em> comes after the subject she)<\/em><\/div>\nQuestions with the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/h5>\n
\nIndirect:<\/b> Could you tell me what that sound is?<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/b> I\u2019d like to know where you study.<\/div>\nClosed Questions (yes\/no questions)<\/h3>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> I wonder if you have seen this movie.<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Do you know if she is coming tonight?<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Can you tell me if you saw my email?<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> I wonder if you have ever been to Italy.<\/div>\nSummary of Changes in Indirect Questions<\/h5>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Do you know where he lives?<\/div>\n
\nIndirect:<\/strong> Do you have any idea why she was late?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nComparison: Direct vs. Indirect Questions<\/h2>\n
Open Questions (Wh- Questions) with \u201cdo\/did\u201d<\/h3>\n