Indirect Questions

In a sentence, we need a subject + verb, and sometimes an object. We often use single words (or phrases) to occupy each space:
S V O
I understand this situation.

But sometimes single words aren’t enough for the subject or object; we need a clause to explain what we mean. That’s when we use a noun clause:
S V O
I understand when my dog taps the door to go outside.

When we use a question as the subject or object of the sentence, it becomes a noun clause.
S V O
I understand what my dog wants.

The direct question is “What does my dog want?”. Direct questions use question grammar order and end with a question mark (?). In the above
example, we used that question as the object of the sentence, and turned it into a noun clause, which uses statement grammar order.

This is what we mean by statement or

sentence grammar order, and question
grammar order. Statements use SVO, but
questions use VSO(V).

Indirect questions (also called embedded

questions) follow the sentence order of
SVO. Sometimes that means an indirect
question can end with a verb, even be.
Simple Indirect Questions
Direct questions begin with a wh-word (what, where, when) or auxiliary verb (do, are, have, will), but simple indirect questions can begin with other
expressions. These can include I wonder, I’d like to know, and I can’t understand. Notice that these expressions end with a thinking-related verb.

Indirect information questions (who, where, what, when, why)

Direct Question Indirect Question

Wh + aux + S + V (Intro exp) + wh + S (+aux) + V

Omit the aux unless necessary.

Where do you work? I’d like to know where you work. ← Aux verb do isn’t necessary in a positive statement.
When does the bus arrive? I wonder when the bus arrives. ← Use the 3rd person simple present “s” here, like a statement.
Why did he stop? I can’t understand why he stopped. ← Use stopped to indicate simple past tense.

Why didn’t he stop? I can’t understand why he didn’t stop.

^ The aux verb is usually necessary in negative sentences.

What will your boss say? I wonder what your boss will say.
Where can I get a passport? I’d like to know where I can get a passport.
^ The aux verb is necessary when it’s also a modal.

Wh + aux + S (Intro exp) + wh + S + aux

Subject first, then aux (usually a form of be)

How old is he? I wonder how old he is.

What is that noise? I’d like to know what that noise is.
Why are your clothes on the floor? I can’t understand why your clothes are on the floor.

Why isn’t she dressed? I wonder why she isn’t dressed.

Indirect Yes/No questions (do, can, will, be) *Indirect Y/N questions always add if or whether instead of a typical wh-word.
Aux + S + V (Intro exp) + if/whether + S + V
Omit the aux unless necessary.

Does he like chocolate? I wonder if he likes chocolate. ← Use the 3rd person simple present “s” here, like a statement.
Did they come home already? I wonder if they came home already. ← Use came to indicate simple past tense.

Will she say yes? I’d like to know if she will say yes.
Can I try a sample? I wonder if I can try a sample.

Aux + S (Intro exp) + if/whether + S + aux

Subject first, then aux (usually a form of be)

Are you serious? I’d like to know if you are serious.

Was that expensive? I wonder if that was expensive.

Complex Indirect Questions

There are other expressions we can use to ask more complex indirect questions. Here are some that start or end with be:

Direct Question Indirect Question

Why do you work so much? The thing I don’t get is why you work so much.

Where did she get those shoes? The real question is where she got those shoes.

Will I have enough money for school? My big concern is if/whether I will have enough money for school.

Is it okay to eat lunch here? My worry is if/whether it’s okay to eat lunch here.

How do they measure calories? How they measure calories is beyond me.

Why don’t we use smartphones in our dreams? Why we don’t use smartphones in our dreams is something I don’t understand.
Things to remember:

1) Indirect questions follow statement grammar order. This includes:

a) Adding 3rd person “s” in simple present

b) Using the past tense of the verb
c) Keeping modals together with their base verb (will+go, can+see, should+use)

2) If it’s a Y/N question (meaning there’s no wh-word), add if or whether.

3) Some indirect questions use a question mark (?) but the ones we just practiced don’t; they use a full stop (.). Don’t use a question mark with
these types of indirect questions!

4) Statement order: SVO or S(aux)O

Indirect question order: SVO or S(aux)O

Direct Question order: VSO or (aux)SO