INDIRECT QUESTIONS.

Consider the following situation: You are talking to a man at a meeting that you have
never met. However, you know his name and also that this man knows a colleague
named Jack. You turn to him and ask:

Where is Jack?

The man seems a little bothered and says he doesn’t know. He isn’t very friendly. You
wonder why he seems bothered...

It’s probably because you didn’t introduce yourself, didn’t say ‘excuse me’ AND
(most importantly) asked a direct question. Direct questions are often considered rude
when speaking to strangers. To be more polite we often use indirect question forms.
Indirect questions serve the same purpose as direct questions, but are considered more
formal. When using an indirect question, use an introductory phrase followed by the
question itself in positive sentence structure. Connect the two phrases with the
question word or ‘if’ in the case the question is a ‘yes’, ‘no’ question.

Here’s how to do it:

Introductory phrase + question word (or if) + positive sentence

Examples:

Where is Jack? > I was wondering if you know where Jack is?
When does Alice usually arrive? > Do you know when Alice usually arrives?

Here are some of the most common phrases used for asking indirect questions. Many
of these phrases are questions (i.e., Do you know when the next train leaves?), while
others are statements made to indicate a question (i.e., I wonder if he will be on time.).

Do you know … ?
I wonder / was wondering ….
Can you tell me … ?
Do you happen to know ...?
I have no idea ...
I’m not sure ...
I’d like to know ...
Have you any idea ...

Sometimes we also use these phrases to indicate that we’d like some more
information.
I’m not sure…
I don’t know…

Examples:

Do you know when the concert begins?

I wonder when he will arrive.
Can you tell me how to check out a book.
I’m not sure what he considers appropriate.
I don’t know if he is coming to the party this evening.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE INDIRECT QUESTIONS,

AFTER ANY OF THE INTRODUCTORY EXPRESSIONS ABOVE, IS SUBJECT +
VERB (EXAMPLE: WHERE PETER IS AND NOT VERB+SUBJECT (WHERE IS
PETER).

DIRECT QUESTION INDIRECT QUESTION

Where is she? Do you know where she is?

What are you doing? I was wondering what you are doing
What time is it? Can you tell me what time it is?
Indirect yes/no questions are formed by if/whether:

DIRECT QUESTION INDIRECT QUESTION

Is he ok? Do you know if he is ok?

Will she come? I was wondering if she will come
Is she honest? I would like to know if she is honest

Finish the indirect sentences.

1. Had he already started eating before you arrived?

Do you know ……………

2. How long have you been married?

I wonder ……………

3. What have performed this weekend?

I have no idea ……………

4. How much does it cost to fly to the USA?

Have you any idea ……………

5. Is he going to propose to her?

I’m not sure ……………
6. What kind of car do you drive?
I don’t know ……………
Can you tell me ……………

7. Who is responsible for this mess?

Can you tell me…………….

8. When does he want to see us?

Do you know ……………

9. Am I required to wear a uniform?

I would like to know ……………

10. Where can I find your telephone number?

Do you know ……………

11. Does Jack drink a lot?

I was wondering ……………

12. How often do you visit Rome?

Can you tell me ……………

13. When would you like me to start?

Could you tell me ……………

14. Are you married?

I was wondering ……………

15. Does he allow his children to smoke?

Do you know ……………

16. Why do I have to stay up so late?

Could you tell me ……………

17. When did decide this?

I have no idea ……………

18. Which actor do you like best?

I would like to know ……………

19. How far is it from your house to work?

I was wondering ……………

20. What kind of films do you like?

Can you tell me ……………

21. How often do you meet?

I need to know ……………
22. Is this the right way to the post office?
Could you tell me …………

23. When was the light bulb invented?

I would like you to tell me ……………

24. Where do you live?

I was wondering ……………

25. Why did you do this to her?

Can you tell me ……………

Key
I
1. Do you know if he had already started eating before you arrived?
2. I wonder how long you have been married
3. I have no idea what they have performed this weekend
4. Have you any idea how much it costs to fly to the USA?
5. I’m not sure if he is going to propose to her
6. I don’t know what kind of car you drive
7. Can you tell me who is responsible for this mess?
8. Do you know when he wants to see us?
9. I would like to know if I’m required to wear a uniform
10. Do you know where I can find your telephone number?
11. I was wondering if Jack drinks a lot
12. Can you tell me how often you visit Rome?
13. Could you tell me when you would like me to start?
14. I was wondering if you are married
15. Do you know if he allows his children to smoke?
16. Could you tell me why I have to stay up so late?
17. I have no idea when you decided this
18. I would like to know which actor you like best
19. I was wondering how far it is from your house to work
20. Can you tell me what kind of films you like?
21. I need to know how often you meet
22. Could you tell me if this is the right way to the post office?
23. I would like you to tell me when the light bulb was invented
24. I was wondering where you live
25. Can you tell me why you did this to her?