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Indirect Questions
Indirect Questions
Indirect Questions
Form
If we do not begin a question directly, but begin it with something like:
Can you tell me...? Do you know...? I wonder if...? the word order is the same as in an
affirmative statement.
Direct question: What is he doing?
Indirect question: Do you know what he is doing?
Direct question: Where have they been?
Indirect question: I wonder where they have been?
Do, does, did
If the direct question contains do, does or did, we omit it in the indirect question.
Direct question: What do you want?
Indirect question: Can you tell me what you want?
Direct question: When did she leave?
Indirect question: Do you know when she left?
Yes/no questions
In yes / no questions, we use if or whether (the word order is the same as in reported
questions).
Direct question: Have you seen my dog?
Indirect question: Could you tell me if you have seen my dog?
Indirect Questions Exercises
"What's this?"
"Do you know what
this is?"
I. Fill the gaps.
1 "Where's the station?"
"Can you tell me ___________________________________________ ?"
2 "Are you coming to the party?"
"Can you let me know if
___________________________________________ ?"
3 "How does it work?"
"Can you explain ___________________________________________ ?"
4 "What's the the matter?"
Please tell me ___________________________________________ ."
5 "Where are you from?"
"I'd like to know ___________________________________________ ."
6 "How long does it take to get there?"
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