Indirect questions

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✏️ Exercises

Indirect Questions in English

Infographic illustrating the structure of direct and indirect questions in English grammar with examples, displayed on a bright, color-coded chart.

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🟨What Are Indirect Questions?

We normally use indirect questions when we want to be more polite or sound less direct.
They begin with phrases like:

  • • Can you tell me…?
  • • Could you tell me…?
  • • Do you know…?
  • • Would you mind telling me…?
  • • I wonder…
  • • I’d like to know…
  • • I’m not sure…

🟦Word Order in Indirect Questions

In indirect questions, use statement word order: subject + verb — not question order.

✅ What time is it? → Direct
✅ Could you tell me what time it is? → Indirect

❌ Do you know where can I find a bank?
✅ Do you know where I can find a bank?

❌ Can you tell me what time do the shops close?
✅ Can you tell me what time the shops close.

🟩More Examples

  • • I don’t know what he is doing here.
  • • I wonder when he will find the truth.
  • • I’m not sure when I can come.
  • • I’d like to know where you left the documents.

🟪Yes/No Indirect Questions

For yes/no questions (no question word), use if or whether.

✅ Do you know if he’ll be here soon?
✅ Do you know whether he’ll be here soon?

📌 Key Rules:
🗣️ Indirect questions = polite and use statement word order (subject + verb).
🔁 Never use question order inside the indirect part: ❌ "where can I" → ✅ "where I can".
❓ For yes/no questions, use if or whether.
💬 Common starters: Do you know…?, Could you tell me…?, I wonder…