Indirect questions

Indirect questions

Exercise 1

Choose the correct forms to complete the following questions. There are direct and indirect questions.

1 I don't know the answer. How many times do I haveI haveI do have to tell you?

2 I don't know why he's alwayswhy is he alwayswhether is he always so unhappy.

3 Do you have any idea when the results will be publishedwill be the results publishedwill the results be published?

4 How many people called youyou calleddid you call for the party?

5 I wonder how this cold weather will lasthow long this cold weather will lasthow long will this cold weather last.

6 Did she tell you how often you should take the vitaminsshould you take the vitaminsdo you take the vitamins?

7 I'd like to know if can I use the new productwhether can I use the new productwhether I can use the new product for the experiment.

8 Could you tell me why are you leavingdo you leaveyou are leaving?

9 Can I ask you how long have you livedyou have been livinghave you been living here?

10 Why I shouldn't call herI wouldn't call hershouldn't I call her?

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Indirect questions

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We normally use indirect questions when we want to be more polite. We begin the question with expressions such as “Can you tell me …?”, “Could you tell me …?”, “Do you know …?”, or “Would you mind telling me …?”

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

In indirect questions, the order is subject + verb.

• Do you know where can I find a bank?
• Do you know where I can find a bank?
• Can you tell me what time do the shops close?
• Can you tell me what time the shops close? 

These are some other common expressions used before indirect questions:

• I don’t know what he is doing here. 
• I wonder when he will find the truth.
• I’m not sure when I can come. 
• I’d like to know where you left the documents. 

For yes-no questions (when there is NO question word), we can use both if or whether:

• Do you know if/whether he’ll be here soon?

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