INDIRECT QUESTIONS Indirect questions are questions which are

INDIRECT QUESTIONS Indirect questions are questions which are introduced with a short phrase, e. g. Do you know…, Could you tell me…, I wonder…, I’d like to know… This type of question is used when: • talking to someone you don’t know, or • writing a letter or an email

When you ask an indirect question: • the order of the words in the question is the same as in the affirmative sentence, e. g. direct question: indirect question: How long have you been studying English? Can you tell me how long you have been studying English. When can I phone you? I wonder when I can phone you. the auxiliary verbs do, does and did are not used to form questions; the question has the same form as an affirmative sentence, e. g. • direct question: indirect question: Does the train to Paris leave from this platform? Could you tell me if the train to Paris leaves from this platform. Did she speak to the headmaster? Do you know if she spoke to the headmaster.

• use a question mark (? ) when the introductory phrase is a question, e. g. Could you tell me why you haven’t done your homework yet? • do not use a question mark (? ) when the introductory phrase is not a question, e. g. I’d like to know how much the course costs. • use if or whether to introduce questions where you expect the answer yes or no, e. g. direct question: Is the university near the city centre? indirect question: Can you tell me if/whether the university is near the city centre.