INDIRECT

QUESTIONS

Teacher Marlene Torres López

 Think about this...
Has this ever happened to you? You go up to a native English
speaker and ask them a question or say something in perfectly
correct English, perhaps a phrase you may have taken straight out
of your textbook and your English lessons. The grammar is
correct and you spoke very clearly, but the person looks a little
uncomfortable or seems unsure of how to answer you.
Before you check your grammar and pronunciation again, it’s
worth asking yourself ... “Was I being too direct?”
In English, it is often considered more polite and non-
confrontational to ask indirect questions, especially when
talking with strangers. They are also sometimes a useful way
for seeking out information that someone might be a bit
uncomfortable or asking someone to do something that is a
bit of an inconvenience – if you deliver it in the right way!

Consider this situations:

You are in the supermarket and you're not sure which
brand detergent is better. Your turn to a lady beside you
and ask “Which one is better?”

It’s your first day in a new city and you need to find the
Main Square. You go to a stranger and ask her “Where is the
Main Square?”
 Indirect questions
Some common Do you know what time the class starts?
introductory phrase:
Indirect
Noun
question
Do you know ...... ? clouse
phrase
Could you tell me ... ?
Can you tell me ....?
Do you know what time the class starts?
Would you mind telling me ...?

1- Use an Indirect question phrase

2- If your Direct question starts with 'Wh', it also must be in Indirect question.
3- You need to write the second part as a 'sentence' (the verb next to the noun)
 Some common You are in the supermarket and you're not sure which
introductory phrase: brand detergent is better. Your turn to a lady beside you
and ask “Which one is better?”
Do you know ...... ?
It’s your first day in a new city and you need to find the
Could you tell me ... ? Main Square. You go to a stranger and ask her “Where is the
Can you tell me ....? Main Square?”
Would you mind telling me ...?

Direct Question Indirect Question

Which one is better? Do you know which one is better?

Where is the Main Square? Could you tell me where the Main Square is?
Indirect question phrase Noun clause

1- Use an Indirect question phrase

2- If your Direct question starts with 'Wh', it also must be in Indirect question.
3- You need to write the second part as a 'sentence' (the verb next to the noun)
 Direct questions Indirect questions
What is your name? Can you tell me what your name is?

How old are you? Would you mind telling me how old you are?

Where is the supermarket? Do you know where the nearest supermarket is?

Who is that woman over there? Do you know who that woman over there is?

Why do you like traveling so much? Could you tell me why you like traveling so much?

What do you do on weekends? Would you mind telling me what you do on weekends?

What did you want? Can you tell me what you wanted?
 1- Use an Indirect question phrase
2- If your Direct question starts with 'Wh', it also must be in Indirect question.
3- You need to write the second part as a 'sentence' (the verb next to the noun)

Let's practice
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/indirect-questions-exercise-
1.pdf

https://www.e-grammar.org/indirect-question/test1-exercise1/

https://www.e-grammar.org/indirect-questions-multiple-choice-test/