Need help? Ask an indirect question.
Indirect questions are used mostly when we need help or information from a stranger. Today, we'll look at how to use indirect questions.
Let's imagine, you need to know the time.
"Excuse me. What time is it?" X
If you ask a direct question you could sound unfriendly, and too direct.
The best way is to ask an indirect question. Look at the examples below.
Excuse me,
Do you know what time it is?
Could you tell me what time it is, please?
Would you mind telling me what time it is, please?
Can you tell me what time it is, please?
Notice how the grammar changes. The "wh" question word moves to the middle of the sentence, and "is", the verb is at the end. This is why indirect can be difficult to use: the grammar rules are very different.
Direct question: When does the bus arrive at this stop?
Indirect question: Could you tell me when the bus arrives at this stop?
Notice, the first verb, "does", isn't used, and the verb form changes (arrive changes to arrives).
Let's now look at direct "Yes/No" questions (Is, Are, Do, Have, Did, etc).
Direct Question
Is there a meeting at 3:00pm today?
Indirect Question
Do you know if there's a meeting at 3:00pm today?
In "Yes/No" questions, there's an "if" and a verb in the middle.
Let's look at another example using the word "have".
Does tomato soup have sugar in it? (direct)
Can you tell me if the tomato soup has sugar in it? (indirect).
With "Yes/No"indirect questions, the word if is used, and the word "do" isn't used. Also, "have" becomes "has" because it's the only verb in the sentence. Let's look at another example.
Direct Question: Does the 127 bus go to the city centre?
Indirect Questions: Do you know if the 127 bus goes to the city centre?
Try the exercise below. You can save, and print a copy, or do the questions in the comments section.
Direct question: When does the bus arrive at this stop?
Indirect question: Could you tell me when the bus arrives at this stop?
Notice, the first verb, "does", isn't used, and the verb form changes (arrive changes to arrives).
Let's now look at direct "Yes/No" questions (Is, Are, Do, Have, Did, etc).
Direct Question
Is there a meeting at 3:00pm today?
Indirect Question
Do you know if there's a meeting at 3:00pm today?
In "Yes/No" questions, there's an "if" and a verb in the middle.
Let's look at another example using the word "have".
Does tomato soup have sugar in it? (direct)
Can you tell me if the tomato soup has sugar in it? (indirect).
With "Yes/No"indirect questions, the word if is used, and the word "do" isn't used. Also, "have" becomes "has" because it's the only verb in the sentence. Let's look at another example.
Direct Question: Does the 127 bus go to the city centre?
Indirect Questions: Do you know if the 127 bus goes to the city centre?
Try the exercise below. You can save, and print a copy, or do the questions in the comments section.
Write the questions in the correct
order.
Example:
you/Could/how/me/to/use/this atm/please?
Could
you show me how to use
this atm, please?
1)
you/Do/the nearest/where/know/is/post office?
_________________________________________________________
2)
which/Main Street/goes to/Could/tell/bus/you/me/?
_________________________________________________________
3)
if/a vegetarian meal/know/you/Do/the restaurant/at/there's?
_________________________________________________________
4)
tell/me/what/Can/the sports car/ in/comes/colour/you?
_________________________________________________________
5)
my shoes/Do/are/know/you/where?
_________________________________________________________
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