9.

Direct and indirect questions

When do we use indirect questions?

We use indirect questions when we want to ask something

more politely.

I’d like to know when you will come.

Do you know if the show has started yet?

Could you tell me what’s happening

tonight?

I was wondering where you go to buy food.

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 Read the conversation. How many indirect questions
can you find?

Excuse me. I’d like to know what’s happening at the

festival tomorrow. I was wondering if there’ll be a
parade. And do you know what time the fireworks
display starts?

There’s going to be a parade along the High Street at

6 p.m., but I don’t know anything about a fireworks
display. Could you tell me where you heard about it?

There are four indirect questions. Look!

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How do we make indirect questions?
Wh- questions
Direct questions Indirect questions
What is the band playing? Do you have any idea what the band is
playing?
When will the limo arrive? I’d like to know when the limo will arrive.

Wh- questions Where does the festival take place? Could you tell me where the festival takes place?
with do/does/did
Who did you take to the prom? I was wondering who you took to the prom.

Yes/No questions Can I take a photo of you? Would you mind if I took a photo of you?

Is there going to be live music? I was wondering if there’s going to be live music.

We start them with The word order in

We often use indirect indirect questions is the
different expressions, e.g.
questions when we want same as in statements.
Could you tell me …?
to
I was wondering …
ask something more
Do you know …? We don’t use the We use if with
politely.
Would you mind …? auxiliary verbs do, does yes/no indirect
or did in indirect questions.
questions.
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 Practice Time
Complete the indirect questions.

1. Where’s Sam?
where Sam is
Do you have any idea ________________________________?
2. Did you hear that bang?
if you heard that
I was wondering ________________________________.
bang
3. What is your country’s national flag?
what your country’s national flag
Could you tell me ____________________________________________?
is
4. What do I need to wear to the party?
what I need to wear to the
Do you have any idea _______________________________________?
party
5. Do you believe that black cats bring bad luck?
if you believe that black cats bring bad
I’d like to know __________________________________________________.
luck
6. Who are you going to go to the prom with?
who you’re going to go to the prom
Do you know __________________________________________________?
with
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