Indirect Questions
Indirect questions are a polite way to seek information or assistance. Instead of directly asking a
question, we use phrases like “could you tell me” or “do you know.” Here’s how they work:
1. Direct Question: Where is the bank?
o Indirect Question: Could you tell me where the bank is?
In indirect questions:
The verb order remains the same as in positive sentences (subject + verb).
We avoid inversion (changing the word order) that’s typically used in direct questions.
They are commonly used when seeking help from strangers or in polite conversations.
1. Seeking Information:
Direct: What is your name?
o Indirect: I'd like to know your name, please.
o Indirect: Could you tell me what your name is?
Direct: When does the meeting start?
o Indirect: I wonder if you know when the meeting starts.
o Indirect: Do you have any idea what time the meeting begins?
2. Making Requests:
Direct: Can you help me?
o Indirect: I was hoping you could help me with something.
o Indirect: Would you mind lending me a hand?
Direct: Tell me what you think.
o Indirect: I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this.
o Indirect: Could you share your opinion with me?
3. Softening Commands:
Direct: Be quiet!
o Indirect: I wonder if you could be a bit quieter, please.
o Indirect: Would you mind keeping it down a bit, please?
Direct: Turn off the TV.
o Indirect: I was wondering if you could turn off the TV, please.
o Indirect: Could you mind turning off the TV when you're finished?
4. Expressing Uncertainty:
Direct: Is this the right bus stop?
o Indirect: I'm not sure if this is the right bus stop. Could you please
confirm?
o Indirect: Do you happen to know if this is the bus stop for the 5 o'clock
bus?
5. Showing Interest:
Direct: Did you see the movie last night?
o Indirect: I was wondering if you saw the movie last night.
o Indirect: Did you get a chance to see the movie everyone's been talking
about?
Examples of Indirect Questions:
1. Present Simple with ‘be’:
o Direct: Is he Spanish?
o Indirect: Can you tell me if he is Spanish?
2. Present Continuous:
o Direct: Is the restaurant closing now?
o Indirect: Can you tell me if the restaurant is closing now?
3. Past Simple with ‘be’:
o Direct: Was he late for the meeting?
o Indirect: Can you tell me if he was late for the meeting?
4. Present Perfect:
o Direct: Has Lucy been to Mexico?
o Indirect: Can you tell me if Lucy has been to Mexico?
5. Future Simple with ‘will’:
o Direct: Will she start her new job next week?
o Indirect: Can you tell me if she will start her new job next week?
Negative Questions
Negative questions combine the features of both negative statements and questions. They often
start with auxiliary verbs (like “don’t,” “doesn’t,” “haven’t,” etc.). Here are some examples:
1. Don’t you like pizza?
o Auxiliary verb: “do”
o Negative word: “don’t”
2. Hasn’t he finished his homework yet?
o Auxiliary verb: “has”
o Negative word: “hasn’t”
3. Aren’t you going to the party tonight?
o Auxiliary verb: “are”
o Negative word: “aren’t”
