Learning English

Indirect questions

Meaning and use

There are two ways to ask questions in English – directly and indirectly. Both have the same meaning, but we use indirect questions if we want to sound more formal or polite, especially when we are talking to people we don’t know.

(direct question) What time is it?

(indirect question) Could you tell me what time it is?

When we create indirect questions, the thing we are asking about becomes part of a longer question. And we use introductory phrases such as:

Can/could you tell/show me …?

Do you know …?

Would you mind telling/showing me …?

Have you any idea …?

I wonder …

I wonder if you would mind telling/showing me …?

This is followed by either a question word, such as what, who, when, where,how, or by if/whether, and then the information we want to know. The word order changes from the order of a direct question. Indirect questions have the same word order as statements.

(direct question) Where is the photocopier?

(indirect question) Do you know where the photocopier is?

If we are making an indirect question from a direct question which already contains a question word, like what, who, when, where or how, we keep that same question word.

(Direct question) - What is the dress code in the office?

(Indirect question) - Could you tell me what the dress code is in the office?

If the direct question doesn’t have a question word, then we use if or whether in the indirect question. We can use these interchangeably, although if is a little more informal.

(Direct question) - Is the coffee for everyone?

(Indirect question) - Could you tell me if the coffee is for everyone?

Form

Indirect questions have the same word order as statements:

introductory phrase + if or whether/question word + subject + verb

Look at the following:

(statement) - The meeting is at two.

(direct question) - When is the meeting?

(indirect question) - Do you know when the meeting is?

(indirect question) - Do you know if the meeting is at two?

Notice that the subject and verb in indirect questions after the question word when or if/whether are in the same order as in statements, i.e. subject + verb

(subject) (verb)

The meeting is …

… the meeting is

In the direct question, however, the order is: verb + subject after the question word.

When isthe meeting ?

Take note: do, does and did 

In the present and past simple, we use do/does or did to make direct questions. When we make indirect questions in the present and past simple, we don’t use these auxiliaries. 

(direct question) - What time does the meeting start?

(indirect question) - Can you tell me what time the meeting starts?

(direct question) - Why did you leave your last job?

(indirect question) - Can you tell me why you left your last job?        

(direct question) - Did Mr Yenko ring yesterday?

(indirect question) - Do you know if Mr Yenko rang yesterday?