Scribd
Upload
6 views2 pages

How to Form Indirect Questions

Indirect questions are more polite and formal than direct questions, formed using phrases like 'Could you tell me...' or 'I wonder...'. They differ grammatically from direct questions by eliminating auxiliary verbs and placing the main verb after the subject. Examples illustrate the transformation from direct to indirect questions, emphasizing the structure and usage.

Uploaded by

Pablo Cordero
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views2 pages

How to Form Indirect Questions

Indirect questions are more polite and formal than direct questions, formed using phrases like 'Could you tell me...' or 'I wonder...'. They differ grammatically from direct questions by eliminating auxiliary verbs and placing the main verb after the subject. Examples illustrate the transformation from direct to indirect questions, emphasizing the structure and usage.

Uploaded by

Pablo Cordero
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

INDIRECT QUESTIONS

They are more polite and formal than a direct question. To form
an indirect question, start with phrases such as:

-Could you tell me…?


-Can I ask you…?
-Do you mind if I ask…?
-I wonder…
-I was wondering…
-I’d like to know…
Etc.

(Please note that some of these indirect questions do not need a


question mark)

These indirect questions are grammatically different from a


normal question.

1. In the indirect question, eliminate the auxiliary do/does/did*

DIRECT INDIRECT
Where do you live? I wonder where you live,
Why does Francisco arrive late? I would like to know why Francisco arrives
late.
When did you watch the movie? Could you tell me when you watched the
movie?

*If the auxiliary is DO, simply eliminate. If it’s DOES, eliminate it


and add -s to the verb. If the auxiliary is DID, eliminate it and
write the verb in Past.

2. If the question uses the verb TO BE, the auxiliary HAVE, or a


modal verb (CAN, COULD, WILL, MUST, etc.), put the verb AFTER
the subject, not before.

DIRECT INDIRECT
Are you Mexican? Can you tell me if you are Mexican?
Have you eaten today? May I ask you whether you have eaten to-
day?
Should we study this unit for the exam? Professor, we would like to know if we
should study this unit for the exam.

As you can see, an indirect question is grammatically similar to an


affirmative sentence (no auxiliary DO, verb after the subject).

You might also like