Indirect Question

Indirect Question

1. Indirect questions in English are a polite and more formal way of asking questions compared to direct questions.

2. Indirect questions begin with the auxiliary verb, and it is this part of the sentence that is in the form of a question, while the rest remains as a statement.

   • For example: Do you know what time it is?
     • Direct Question
       • where I left my car keys?
     • Indirect Question
       • Do you know where I left my car keys?

3. Indirect questions are preceded by a direct question, or an introductory phrase, and are in the order of a statement.

   • Do yo know where I can take a train to Dublin?

4. In questions with the verb TO BE, the verb TO BE comes at the end.

   • Can you tell me where she is?

5. If the direct question is with the auxiliaries DO/DOES/DID in the indirect question, we remove the DO/DOES or DID.

   • Direct Question
     • Does she work?
   • Indirect Question
     • I would like to know if she works