8. Indirect questions

Grammar:

Indirect questions

• When should we use indirect questions? – When we want to sound more polite.

• What makes indirect questions different? – They have an introductory phrase

• Their form is SUBJECT + VERB, and no auxiliaries.

• DIRECT: Where do you live? / What time is it?

• INDIRECT: Can you tell me where you live? Do you know what time it is?

INTRODUCTORY PHRASES

• Do you know...?

• Could you tell me...?

• Can I ask you...?

• Do you mind me asking...?

• Would you mind telling me...?

• *IF THE PHRASE IS A QUESTION FORM, USE A QUESTION MARK

INTRODUCTORY PHRASES

• I wonder...

• I was wondering...

• I don’t know...

• I’d like to know...

• I need to know...

• Please tell me...

• *THEY ARE NOT QUESTIONS, SO NO QUESTION MARK.

Multiple Choice

Transform the question from direct into indirect:

When is the next bus?

• Do you know when the next bus is?

• Do you know when is the next bus?

Multiple Choice

Transform the question from direct into indirect:

Where were you born?

• Could you tell me where were you born?

• Could you tell me where you were born

• Could you tell me where you were born?

EXCEPTION

Multiple Choice

Transform the question from direct into indirect:

Can John play the guitar?

• Do you know if can John play the guitar

• Do you know if John play the guitar

• Do you know can John play the guitar?

• Do you know if John can play the guitar?

Multiple Choice

Transform the question from direct into indirect:

Does your sister play tennis?

• I wonder whether your sister play tennis

• I wonder whether your sister plays tennis

• I wonder whether does your sister play tennis

• I wonder whether your sister plays tennis?

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