Indirect 'Wh' questions (Simple present)

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What are indirect 'Wh' questions?

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Indirect 'Wh' questions are questions that report or inquire about information without directly asking. They often begin with phrases like 'Can you tell me...' or 'Do you know...'. For example, instead of asking 'Where does she play tennis?', one might say 'Can you tell me where she plays tennis?'.

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How do you form an indirect 'Wh' question from a direct question?

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To form an indirect 'Wh' question, you typically start with a phrase like 'Can you tell me...' or 'Do you know...', followed by the 'Wh' question in its original form. For example, 'What is this?' becomes 'Can you tell me what this is?'.

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What is the structure of an indirect 'Wh' question?

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The structure of an indirect 'Wh' question includes a reporting phrase (e.g., 'Can you tell me...') followed by the 'Wh' question. The 'Wh' question retains its original form but is embedded within the reporting phrase.

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What is the difference between direct and indirect questions?

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Direct questions ask for information straightforwardly (e.g., 'Where do you study?'), while indirect questions report or inquire about information in a more polite or formal manner (e.g., 'Can you tell me where you study?').

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Why are indirect 'Wh' questions used?

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Indirect 'Wh' questions are used to make inquiries sound more polite or formal. They can also be used to soften the request for information.

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Can you provide an example of an indirect 'Wh' question using 'why'?

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An example of an indirect 'Wh' question using 'why' is: Direct: 'Why do you like travelling?' Indirect: 'Can you tell me why you like travelling?'.

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What is the role of the reporting phrase in indirect 'Wh' questions?

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The reporting phrase serves to introduce the indirect question and often makes the inquiry more polite. It sets the context for the 'Wh' question that follows.

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How do you convert 'Where is the nearest supermarket?' into an indirect question?

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To convert 'Where is the nearest supermarket?' into an indirect question, you would say: 'Can you tell me where the nearest supermarket is?'.

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What is the importance of using the correct tense in indirect 'Wh' questions?

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Using the correct tense in indirect 'Wh' questions is important for grammatical accuracy and clarity. The tense should match the context of the original question.

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How can indirect 'Wh' questions improve communication?

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Indirect 'Wh' questions can improve communication by making inquiries sound more polite and respectful, which can foster better interpersonal relationships.