Indirect questions
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TEACH-THIS.COM Indirect Questions Indirect questions are polite, longer forms of normal questions. They can be used to ask about sensitive information. Examples: Where's the department store? - Direct question Could you tell me where the department store is, please? - Indirect question What's his name? - Direct question Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question Indirect questions are formed of two parts: a polite expression, and a question which has no subject/verb inversion like a normal question. Examples What's his name? Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question The question is not "...what is his name?" - don't invert the subject and verb like a normal question. What's the time? Do you have any idea what the time is? - Indirect question Indirect questions do not use the auxiliary verb "to do" in the main question. Examples: When does the next train arrive? - Direct question Do you know when the next train arrives? - Indirect question Do you know when does the next train arrive? - Incorrect When does the restaurant close? - Direct question Could you tell me when the restaurant closes? - Indirect question Could you tell me when does the restaurant close? – Incorrect Written by Paul Adams for Teach-This.com ©2012
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Transcript of Indirect questions
TEACH-THIS.COM
Indirect Questions
Indirect questions are polite, longer forms of normal questions. They can be used to
ask about sensitive information.
Examples:
Where's the department store? - Direct question
Could you tell me where the department store is, please? - Indirect question
What's his name? - Direct question
Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question
Indirect questions are formed of two parts: a polite expression, and a question which
has no subject/verb inversion like a normal question.
Examples
What's his name?
Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question
The question is not "...what is his name?" - don't invert the subject and verb like a
normal question.
What's the time?
Do you have any idea what the time is? - Indirect question
Indirect questions do not use the auxiliary verb "to do" in the main question.
Examples:
When does the next train arrive? - Direct question
Do you know when the next train arrives? - Indirect question
Do you know when does the next train arrive? - Incorrect
When does the restaurant close? - Direct question
Could you tell me when the restaurant closes? - Indirect question
Could you tell me when does the restaurant close? – Incorrect
Written by Paul Adams for Teach-This.com ©2012
TEACH-THIS.COM
Complete the indirect questions using the correct structure.
1. Where's the station?
Can you tell me ______________________________________________________?
2. Are you coming to the party?
Can you let me know if ________________________________________________?
3. How does it work?
Can you explain ______________________________________________________?
4. What's the matter?
Please tell me _______________________________________________________?
5. Where are you from?
I'd like to know _______________________________________________________?
6. How long does it take to get there?
Do you know _________________________________________________________?
7. What are you doing?!
Do you have any idea__________________________________________________?
8. What time are you leaving?
Do you know _________________________________________________________?
9. Does Annie know about computers?
I wonder whether _____________________________________________________?
10. Excuse me. How do you get to the post office from here?
Could you tell us ______________________________________________________?
Written by Paul Adams for Teach-This.com ©2012
TEACH-THIS.COM
Working with the person next to you, read the following indirect questions and re-
write the sentences in the correct word order.
1. Would you mind telling me the is bank where?
__________________________________________
2. Could you tell me much it how is?
__________________________________________
3. Do you know if you money happy makes?
_____________________________________________________
4. Can you remember who about you taught money?
______________________________________________________ ______
5. Do you think saving is good money a idea?
______________________________________________________
6. Do you know what does he for work?
___ __________________________________________
7. I’d be interested to hear made how he it?
__________________________________________
8. I’d like to know why increased price the?
________________________________________________
9. Can you tell me how survive poor people city in this?
____________________________________________________________
Written by Paul Adams for Teach-This.com ©2012
