Indirect Questions

(from the Ventures 4 series)

Direct questions are often considered rude when speaking to strangers. To be more polite we often use
indirect questions. Indirect questions serve the same purpose as direct questions but are considered more formal.
An indirect question gives the other person the choice to answer the question or to politely decline to answer the
question.
When using an indirect question, use an introductory clause followed by the question (as a dependent
clause) in a positive sentence structure. The dependent clauses of indirect wh- questions begin with question words
(who, what, where, when, why, how). The dependent clauses of indirect yes/no questions begin with if or whether.
introductory clause + wh- word (or if / whether) + dependent clause
Direct wh- questions
Why is she so strict?
How is everything at home?
Where did you go?
When did they leave?

Indirect wh- questions

I wonder why she is so strict.
I'd like to know how everything is at home.
Can you tell me where you went?
Do you know when they left?

Direct yes/no questions

Do they have a test today?

Indirect yes/no questions

Do you know if they have a test today?
Do you know whether they have a test today?
I wonder if he finished his homework.
I'd like to know whether he finished his homework.

Did he finish his homework?

I'd like to know....

I don't know....
I want to know....
I need to know....
I can't remember ....
I'm not sure....

Introductory clauses of indirect questions

Tell me....
Can/Could you tell me...?
Do you know...?
I wonder....
I was wondering....
Do you have any idea...?
Please explain....
Would you mind telling me?
Do you happen to know...?
I'd be interested to hear.
I have no idea....

Exercises: Choose the correct indirect question to be used as a more polite way to form the original question.
1.

When was the building constructed?

a. I wonder when the building was constructed.
b. Could you tell me when was the building constructed?
c. Do you know if the building was constructed?

2.

Is there a bank near here?

a. Could you tell me where the bank is near here?
b. I wonder where is the bank.
c. Excuse me, do you know if there is a bank near here?

3.

How often does he arrive late for work?

a. I was wondering how often he arrives late for work
b. Do you happen to know how often he does arrive late for work?
c. I don't know if he arrives late for work.

4.

What type of car have you got?

a. I wonder what type of car have you got.
b. Can you tell me what type of car you've got?
c. Would you mind telling me if you've got a car?

5.

How much time do you spend watching TV?

a. Could you tell me how much time are you watching TV?
b. Do you know how much time you do spend watching TV?
c. I wonder how much time you spend watching TV.

Indirect Questions
(from the Ventures 4 series)
6.

What time is it?

a. Pardon me, what time it is?
b. Pardon me, could you tell me what time it is?
c. Would you mind telling me what the time it is?

7.

How old is John?

a. I have no idea how old is John.
b. Do you know when was John born?
c. I wonder how old John is.

8.

Whom should I speak to about this problem?

a. I have no idea whom should I speak to about this problem.
b. Can you tell me where I should speak to about this problem?
c. Do you know whom I should speak to about this problem?

9.

What will he need?

a. Do you know what will he need?
b. I've no idea what he will need.
c. Could you tell me what he needs?

Exercises: Change the direct questions to indirect wh- questions.

1. What is the student's name?
2. What class did she miss?
3. Why did she break the rules?
4. When did she and her friend leave the school?
5. What did they do at the mall?
6. What was her punishment?

Exercises: Change the direct questions to indirect yes/no questions.

1. Did you finish your homework?
2. Do they have a test tomorrow?
3. Did Benjamin Franklin write Poor Richard's Almanac?
4. Should people be allowed to smoke in public places?
5. Have you flown a plane before?
6. Have you seen my dog?

Activity: Talk with a partner. Imagine you are a parent. Read the information you want to ask your daughter about
the young man she is dating. Make indirect yes/no questions. Use a variety of introductory clauses.
Example: is a good student

Can you tell me if he's a good student?

has a job
has nice friends
has a good relationship with his parents

lives alone or at home

is polite
drives carefully

Activity: In a small group, ask and answer indirect wh- questions about your lives when you were teenagers.
Discuss the items listed below.
Example: dating experience

I'd like to know what your dating experience was like.

relationship with parents

grades in school
school activities

things you were required to do at home

things you were permitted to do
things you weren't permitted to do