Indirect Questions in English

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The indirect questions either indirect questions in english They are used to ask questions, ask for help or request information in a polite and friendly way. They always begin with an introductory phrase, such as Can you tell me??? eitherDo you know…?For example:

• indirect question: Could you tell me where Teatro Colon is? / Could you tell me where the Teatro Colón is?
• direct question: Where is Teatro Colon?/ Where is the Teatro Colón?

Unlike direct questions in English (wh-questions and yes no questions), the indirect questions follow the structure and order of the affirmative sentences, that is, they do not make the inversion between the subject and the verb. For example:

• where dog I exchange some money? (direct question)
• Could you tell me where Yo puedo exchange some money? (indirect question)

• See also: Questions in English

What are the used for? indirect questions?

The indirect questions They are used in contexts where asking questions in a more friendly and polite manner is required. Especially on occasions when direct questions or

direct questions they may sound too “direct” or rude.

The indirect questions are used:

• With an unknown interlocutor. They are used to ask a polite question on the street, for example, to request information or ask for help. They are usually preceded by the expression “excuse me”. For example: excuse me, do you know if there is a pharmacy near here?/ Excuse me, do you know if there is a pharmacy near here?
• With a known interlocutor. They are used to ask for an important favor or to ask about a sensitive topic and avoid sounding rude. For example:I was wondering if you could lend me your car./ I was wondering if you could lend me your car.

• It can help you: Interrogative sentences in English

How to ask indirect questions in English?

The indirect questions:

1. They always start with an introductory phrase:

• Could / Can you tell me…? / Could you / can you tell me…?
• Do you know…?/ Know … ?
• Do you have any ideas?/ Do you have any idea … ?
• Do you happen to know?/ Do you happen to know…?
• May I ask… ?/ Can I ask … ?
• Can you explain…? / You can explain … ?
• I'd like to know.../ I would like to know …
• I'm not sure.../ I'm not sure …

1. They do not make the inversion between the subject and the verb, unlike the rest of the questions in English. They follow the order of the statements: subject + verb. For example: Can you tell me where Peter is?(And not: Can you tell me where is Peter?)

1. They carry the conjugated verb in the corresponding tense, just like the affirmations. They don't use auxiliaries. do, did, didin it present simpleand past simple. The structure is:

   Introductory phrase + wh-wordeitherif + subject + conjugated verb

   For example: Do you know how much it costs?(And not: Do you know how much does Item cost?)

1. they carry a wh-wordor interrogative adverb with the wh-questions(questions that require information as an answer) and carry if (either whether)with the yes no questions (questions that require a “yes” or “no” answer). For example:

• Do you have any idea where she lives? / Do you have any idea where he lives?(wh-question)
• can you tell me if you like it? / Can you tell me if you like it?(yes-no question)

1. They can be followed by to + infinitive after the wh-word and after if either whether. For example: Do you have any idea how all Item?/ Do you have any idea how to do it?

1. They do not have a question mark at the end if they begin with an affirmative sentence and not with a sentence in the form of a question (I wonder..., I don't know..., I'm not sure...). For example: I was wondering if you could put me up for the weekend. / I was wondering if you can put me up for the weekend.

to take into account: The structure and order of the indirect questionsare used in questions in reported speech and whenever an introductory phrase of any kind precedes the interrogative adverb or if. For example:I didn't understand what he said.(And not:I didn't understand what did he say?)

• It can help you: “Subject questions" in English

Examples of direct and indirect questions in English

direct questions	Indirect questions
How long does the trip take?	do you know how long the trip takes?
Has the play started yet?	can you tell me if the play has started yet?
How far is it to the airport?	Could you tell me how far is it to the airport?
Does the bank open during weekends?	Do you happen to know if the bank opens during weekends?
Can I leave early today?	I was wondering if I can leave early today.
Have they received the delivery?	Do you have any idea if they have received the delivery?
Could I borrow 10,000 dollars from you?	I wonder if I can borrow 10,000 dollars from you.
Did you get a VAT refund?	can you tell me if you got a VAT refund?
How much money do you earn?	May I ask how much money do you earn?
How long does it take to drive from London to Cambridge?	Do you have any idea How long does it take to drive from London to Cambridge?
Can I get a discount?	I'd like to know if I can get a discount.
Did he recommend doing this?	Do you know by any chance if he recommended doing this?
Where is the closest ATM?	do you know where the closest ATM is?
What time does Macy's open?	Do you have any idea what time Macy's opens?
Why were you absent?	Can I ask why you were absent?
What time does the movie end?	Could you tell me what time the movie ends?
Is public transportation convenient?	I don't know whether public transportation is convenient or not.
How much were we charged?	do you know how much we were charged?
Where did the incident happen?	can you tell me where the incident happened?
Is there a good restaurant near here?	do you know if there is a good restaurant near here?

Follow with:

• «Question tags" in English
• Questions with "which”
• Questions with "que”
• Questions with "do" and "does”
• “how old”, “how far" and "how often”

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