With these indirect questions exercises, you'll practise how to turn direct questions into more polite and formal ones using the correct word order. If you don’t feel confident yet, review our guide on forming indirect questions before doing the test. Answers are given to help you check your understanding and correct your mistakes.

1. True or False?

Read each statement and choose whether it is True or False.

1. Indirect questions use the same word order as direct questions.

2. “Can you tell me where the bank is?” is an example of an indirect question.

3. In an indirect question, we usually use “do,” “does,” or “did” after the question word.

4. “I wonder what time it is.” is a grammatically correct indirect question.

5. We use indirect questions to sound more polite or formal.

2. Indirect questions: sentence completion

Rewrite the direct questions as indirect questions using the given introductory phrases.

1. Where is the nearest café? → Would you mind telling me

Would you mind telling me where the nearest café is?

2. Does this bus stop at the museum? → I wonder if

I wonder if this bus stops at the museum.

3. What does it mean? → Can you explain

Can you explain what it means?

4. Why did he leave? → Do you have any idea why

Do you have any idea why he left?

5. When does the film start? → I’d like to know

I’d like to know when the film starts.

6. Why did the train get delayed? → Could you let me know

Could you let me know why the train got delayed?

7. Who is in charge here? → May I ask

May I ask who is in charge here?

8. Are there any vegetarian options? → Would it be possible to tell me if

Would it be possible to tell me if there are any vegetarian options?

9. What time does the library close? → Do you happen to know

Do you happen to know what time the library closes?

10. Did they cancel the meeting? → I’m trying to find out if

I’m trying to find out if they cancelled the meeting.

In indirect questions, we use statement word order. We do not need question marks unless the whole sentence is a question.

Score: 0 /19

3. Multiple-choice questions

Choose the correct form to complete each question.

1. Could you please tell me where the nearest station ___ ?

Could you please tell me where the nearest station is?

2. Do you know ___ on Sundays?

Do you know when the shop closes on Sundays?

3. I'm curious to know ___ on Monday.

I'm curious to know what time your classes begin on Monday.

4. Could you explain ___ so fast?

Could you explain how she fixed the problem so fast?

5. I wonder why ___

I wonder why he left early.

6. Do you happen to know ___ for the online course?

Do you happen to know how I can register for the online course?

7. Can you tell me ___ ?

Can you tell me why the project was delayed?

8. I want to know ___ the office.

I want to know if she has already left the office.

9. Could you inform me ___ tomorrow?

Could you inform me what time the event starts tomorrow?

10. I'd like to know ___ or not.

I'd like to know whether this seat is taken or not.

I'd like to know whether this seat is taken or not.

4. Indirect questions worksheet

This indirect questions worksheet contains 11 sentences to be rewritten as indirect questions.

Worksheet with a list of direct questions for students to rewrite as indirect questions using formal introductory phrases.
Indirect question worksheet in PDF
pdf icon Indirect question worksheet
Size: 76 KB download icon

5. Answers to the worksheet

1. I want to know where she went.

2. I am curious to find out where she lives.

3. Do you know if he’s coming to the party?

4. I wonder why the shop is closed.

5. Could you tell me how much it cost?

6. I’d like to know if she finishes her homework.

7. Can you explain how it works?

8. May I ask who is responsible for this task?

9. I’m trying to find out who made this beautiful painting.

10. Do you happen to know where your parents first met?

11. I need to know your plan for the holiday.

Max 1000 characters.