Indirect questions

Indirect questions

Exercise 1

Choose the correct forms to complete the following questions. There are direct and indirect questions.

Please wait...

1I don't know the answer. How many times do I haveI do haveI have to tell you?

2I don't know whether is he alwayswhy he's alwayswhy is he always so unhappy.

3Do you have any idea when will be the results publishedthe results will be publishedwill the results be published?

4How many people did you callyou calledcalled you for the party?

5I wonder how long will this cold weather lasthow this cold weather will lasthow long this cold weather will last.

6Did she tell you how often do you take the vitaminsyou should take the vitaminsshould you take the vitamins?

7I'd like to know if can I use the new productwhether can I use the new productwhether I can use the new product for the experiment.

8Could you tell me why do you leaveare you leavingyou are leaving?

9Can I ask you how long have you been livingyou have been livinghave you lived here?

10Why shouldn't I call herI shouldn't call herI wouldn't call her?

 Loading...

 

Indirect questions

Download full-size image from Pinterest

We normally use indirect questions when we want to be more polite. We begin the question with expressions such as “Can you tell me …?”, “Could you tell me …?”, “Do you know …?”, or “Would you mind telling me …?”

• What time is it? (direct question)
• Could you tell me what time it is? (indirect question)

In indirect questions, the order is subject + verb.

• Do you know where can I find a bank?
• Do you know where I can find a bank?
• Can you tell me what time do the shops close?
• Can you tell me what time the shops close? 

These are some other common expressions used before indirect questions:

• I don’t know what he is doing here. 
• I wonder when he will find the truth.
• I’m not sure when I can come. 
• I’d like to know where you left the documents. 

For yes-no questions (when there is NO question word), we can use both if or whether:

• Do you know if/whether he’ll be here soon?