INDIRECT QUESTION

Direct questions are the “normal” questions that we can ask friends, family members, and people who we know well.

Example of a direct question:
“Where’s the bathroom?”

Indirect questions are a little more formal and polite. We use them when talking to a person we don’t know very well, or in professional situations, and their form is a little different.

Example of an indirect question:
“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”

PHRASES FOR INDIRECT QUESTIONS

• Could you tell me…
• Do you know…
• I was wondering…
• Do you have any idea…
• I’d like to know…
• Would it be possible…
• Is there any chance…

EXAMPLES

Direct: Where is Market Street?

Indirect: Could you tell me where Market Street is?

In indirect questions with is/are, the verb (is) comes after the subject (Market Street).

Direct What time does the bank open?

Indirect: Do you know what time the bank opens?

In indirect questions, we don’t use the auxiliary verbs do/does/did. Also, you can see that the verb is “open” in the direct question, and “opens” in the indirect question.

YES/NO DIRECT QUESTIONS –> “IF” IN INDIRECT QUESTIONS

If the direct question is a “yes or no” question (it has no question word such as what, who, when, where, why, or how), then the indirect question will have if.

Direct: Does Tom like Italian food?
Indirect: Do you know if Tom likes Italian food?

Direct: Are your parents joining us for dinner?
Indirect: Could you tell me if your parents are joining us for dinner?

EXERCISES