DIRECT vs INDIRECT QUESTIONS Direct questions sentences that

DIRECT vs. INDIRECT QUESTIONS

Direct questions �sentences that ask a question and end with a question mark �used in informal and daily life contexts Examples: What is your name? Why do you want this job? How much do you earn? When did you see the advertisement? How long have you lived here? Where will you work next year?

Look at these sentences: Where does he study? 2. I want to know where he studies. 3. Can you tell me where he studies? 1. What is the difference? • no “does” in sentences 2 and 3 they are INDIRECT QUESTIONS • sentence 1 is A DIRECT QUESTION

Indirect questions �sentences that report a question �“softer” and more “polite” than direct questions �often used in formal contexts �no inversion �no interrogative words �no special intonation �consist of 2 parts: ü a polite expresion ü a question

Introductory phrases (polite expressions) � Do you know + … statement (s+v)… � Can/Could you tell me +… statement… � Do you have any idea +… statement… � Do you mind telling me + statement. . . � I’d like to know +… statement… � I wonder +… statement… � Please tell me +… statement � Do you happen to know + statement. . . � Can/Could you tell me if/whether +… statement � Can you let me know if/whether + … statement � Has she told you if/whether +… statement � I wonder if +… statement

Examples of indirect questions � Do you know what the answer is? � Do you know where the post office is? � Could you tell me if it’s OK to use mobiles here? � Do you know how much it costs? � I’d like to know how much it costs. � I wonder who knows him. � I wonder if/whether they are expensive. � I wonder if she likes me.

DO, DOES & DID • omitted in the indirect question Direct question: What do you want? Indirect question: Can you tell me what you want.

YES / NO QUESTIONS • if or whether Direct question: Have you seen the teacher? Indirect question: Could you tell me if you have seen the teacher?

How to change direct into indirect? 1. Add the polite expression 2. Move AM-IS-ARE after the subject 3. Delete DO-DOES Examples Are the students paying attention? I wonder if the students are paying attention? Do you have my e-mail? Could you tell me if you have my e-mail?

How to change indirect into direct question 1. Delete the polite expression 2. Move AM-IS-ARE before the subject 3. Add DO-DOES before the subject Examples Could you tell me where the police station is? Where is the Police station? I’d like to know if you love me? Do you love me?

TASK: Transform these direct into indirect questions. 1. What is your name? 2. Why do you want this job? 3. How much do you earn? 4. How soon can you start? 5. What is your address? 6. Do you need some help? 7. Does she speak English? 8. Where do you live? 9. Are you here for the job? 10. Where is your office? 11. Have you ever been to the UK? 12. What were you doing yesterday at this time?

Roleplay �Student A: You are at the information desk of a hotel / an office block / a museum / etc. and want information about services, people, exhibitions, etc. Think of as many Indirect question as you can. �Student B: You are a new receptionist and don’t know any information. �Example: A: Can you tell me where the restroom is? B: Sorry, I don’t know where it is.