INDIRECT QUESTIONS

What's your name? a direct question

Can you tell me what your name is? an indirect question

In indirect questions the word order is AFFIRMATIVE: S + V
There is no DO / DOES / DID.
When there's no question word, we use IF or WHETHER:

Do you know him? Im not sure if / whether you know him.

The most common expressions that introduce indirect questions:
















We often make indirect questions when we want to be more polite.

Make these questions indirect.
1. Where does she live?
2. Who won the match?
3. Did they show you the way?
4. Have you ever been to Paris?
5. How often do they go abroad?
6. When was the company founded?
7. Is the president going to resign?
8. Are you waiting for the bus?
9. Which platform does the train leave from?
10. Does your manager often go on business trips?
11. What were you looking for?
12. How many books has she read this month?
13. Where does the meeting take place?
14. Who will become the next Prime Minister?
15. Do the British speak many foreign languages?
16. What's the time?
17. Why did they arrest Paul Benson?
18. Are they going to close down the factory?
19. Did they sell their old car?
20. Were you tired last night?
21. How much does this coat cost?
22. Can you play the guitar?
23. Why did the police shoot at him?
24. Where's the station?
25. Are you coming to the party?
26. How does it work?
27. What's the matter?
28. Where are you from?
29. How long does it take to get there?
30. Has she reached a decision yet?
31. What time are you leaving?"
32. Does Annie know about computers?
33. Excuse me. How do you get to the post office from here?
34. What are you doing?!
35. Could you lend me 50 pesos?
I wonder
I don't know
I've no idea
I haven't a clue
I'd like to know
I'm not sure what time the train for London leaves.
I can't remember
Can/could you tell me
Have you any idea
Do you happen to know
Do you remember
Direct questions and indirect questions I02
- Use indirect questions with WH Questions (when/where/what/how/why).You can use all the tenses.
- Use a phrase to introduce your indirect question:
o Do you know..?
o Can you tell me ..?
o Could you tell me ..?
o Id like to know
Direct Questions Indirect questions
Simple Present
1. Where do you live? Can you tell me where you live?
2. Where does your brother live? Id like to know where your brother lives.
Simple past
3. When did you arrive? Id like to know when you arrived.
4. What did your mother prepare for lunch? Can you tell me what your mother prepared for
lunch?
Future
5. What will your sister do next winter? Do you know what your sister will do next
winter?
6. When is she going to Brazil? Do you know when she is going to Brazil?
Present Perfect
7. Where has Martha gone? Could you tell me where Martha has gone?
8. Where have you been? Id like to know where you have been.

Exercises: Write indirect questions.
1. Where does your sister study?
____________________________________________________________
2. Where do your friends go?
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3. When does the pharmacy open?
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4. When is Alices party?
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5. When do you relax?
____________________________________________________________
6. What did you do last night?
____________________________________________________________
7. What did your friend sing in the concert?
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8. How much did it cost?
____________________________________________________________
9. Where did you stay in your last trip?
____________________________________________________________
10. Where will you travel next summer?
____________________________________________________________
11. What will you study next year?
____________________________________________________________
12. Where has the secretary been?
____________________________________________________________
13. What sport have you been practicing?
____________________________________________________________
14. What food do you like?
____________________________________________________________
15. When is the flight to Los Angeles?
____________________________________________________________
16. When will Peter arrive?
____________________________________________________________
17. How old are you?
____________________________________________________________
18. Why is Sally crying?
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19. Why do you study English?
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20. What is your fathers favorite music?
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