Reported

Reported

Reported question

Reported questions

Form & meaning

When we report questions, the subject comes before the verb

Direct speech: “Where are you going?”

Reported speech: He asked me where I was going. Direct speech: “Why is he shouting?”

Reported speech: He asked me why he was shouting.

Direct speech: “What do you want?”Reported speech: She asked me what I wanted.

When reporting questions we don’t use the auxiliary verb do, except in negative questions.

Direct speech: “Who doesn’t like cheese?”

Reported speech: She asked me who didn’t like cheese.

We report yes/no questions with if or whether

Direct speech: “Do you want me to come?”

Reported speech: I asked him if he wanted me to come.

Direct speech: “Have you fed the dog?”Reported speech: She asked me whether I had fed the dog.

When we report questions with who, what or which + to be + object, the verb be can come before or after the object.

Direct speech: “Who is the champion?”Reported speech: She asked me who the champion was / She asked me who was the champion.

Direct speech: “What is your favourite colour?”Reported speech: She asked me what my favourite colour was / She asked me what was my favourite colour.