Indirect questions are a polite and formal way to ask for information or make requests. Unlike direct questions, they are structured like statements and often sound more courteous. This lesson will break down their structure, usage, and common rules. At the end of the lesson, you will have the opportunity to test your understanding by completing the exercise.
Indirect questions are used to ask something in a less direct way. They often start with phrases like Could you tell me…, Do you know…, or I wonder…. Unlike direct questions, they do not invert the subject and verb. For example, instead of asking "Where is the station?", an indirect question would be "Could you tell me where the station is?". This structure is especially useful in formal situations or when speaking to someone you don’t know well.
Indirect questions follow a specific structure. They begin with an introductory phrase, followed by a question word (what, where, when) or if/whether for yes/no questions. The verb and subject remain in the same order as a normal sentence. Here’s a table to illustrate this:
| Direct question | Indirect question structure |
|---|---|
| Where is the café? | Could you tell me where the café is? |
| Does she like tea? | Do you know if she likes tea? |
Indirect questions are more common in formal or polite contexts. In informal British English, direct questions are often acceptable. Compare these examples:
Learners often make errors with word order or question words. Here are common pitfalls:
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Can you tell me where is the bank? | Can you tell me where the bank is? | Subject-verb order must stay as a statement. |
| Do you know does she work here? | Do you know if she works here? | Use if/whether for yes/no questions. |
Indirect questions begin with introductory phrases that frame the inquiry politely to avoid the directness of standard questions. These phrases help maintain social harmony, particularly in situations where sensitivity, uncertainty, or deference is required. Below is a list of common introductory phrases used in indirect questions.
| Introductory phrase | Formality | Used for | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Could you tell me… | Polite/Neutral | General requests | Could you tell me where the station is? |
| Do you know… | Neutral | Neutral inquiries | Do you know if she’s coming? |
| Would you mind telling me… | Very polite | Requests requiring effort | Would you mind telling me how this works? |
| I wonder… | Informal | Reflective or hesitant questions | I wonder why he left early. |
| Can you explain… | Neutral | Asking for detailed information | Can you explain what this means? |
| Do you have any idea… | Informal | Emphasizing uncertainty | Do you have any idea where my keys are? |
| I’d like to know… | Formal | Professional or formal contexts | I’d like to know when the project is due. |
| Could you let me know… | Polite | Follow-up or future information | Could you let me know if the room is ready? |
| May I ask… | Very formal | Formal/sensitive situations | Might I ask who authorised this? |
| Do you happen to know… | Polite | Softening the question | Do you happen to know where the toilets are? |
In this exercise, you will practise converting direct questions into indirect ones using different introductory phrases. Note how the structure changes slightly depending on the phrase.
Indirect questions soften requests and make them more polite. Remember to:
