The Rule
Indirect questions are more polite and formal than direct questions. They are introduced by a phrase, and the word order changes to normal statement order (subject before verb).
| Direct question | Indirect question |
|---|---|
| Where is the report? | Could you tell me where the report is? |
| What time does the meeting start? | Do you know what time the meeting starts? |
| Has the client confirmed? | I was wondering whether the client has confirmed. |
| Did she receive our proposal? | Could you check whether she received our proposal? |
| Why was the project delayed? | Could you explain why the project was delayed? |
Key rules:
1. Word order becomes statement order: ...where the office is (not where is the office)
2. No auxiliary verb (do/does/did) in the indirect part: ...when the meeting starts (not when does the meeting start)
3. Yes/No questions use whether or if: ...whether she has confirmed
4. No question mark if the main clause is a statement: I was wondering whether you could help me.
1. Word order becomes statement order: ...where the office is (not where is the office)
2. No auxiliary verb (do/does/did) in the indirect part: ...when the meeting starts (not when does the meeting start)
3. Yes/No questions use whether or if: ...whether she has confirmed
4. No question mark if the main clause is a statement: I was wondering whether you could help me.
Common Mistakes
Could you tell me where is the nearest exit?
Could you tell me where the nearest exit is?
Do you know what time does the meeting start?
Do you know what time the meeting starts?
I was wondering could you send me the report.
I was wondering if/whether you could send me the report.
Could you tell me did she receive our message?
Could you tell me whether she received our message?
Gap Fill — Press Enter to Check
Error Correction
Multiple Choice
Put the Words in the Correct Order
Sentence Transformation — Press Enter to Check
Conversation Practice
1
Practise asking indirect questions at work: 'Could you tell me...', 'Do you know...', 'I was wondering...'
2
Rewrite these direct questions as indirect ones: 'What's the budget?', 'Did the client pay?', 'Where's the report?'
3
When do you use indirect questions at work? Emails to clients? Speaking to senior managers? Why?
Homework
Write a formal email (8 sentences) to a new client asking for information. Use indirect question forms throughout. Do not use any direct questions.