GRAMMAR INDIRECT QUESTIONS

Word order

When we create indirect questions, the question (What time is it?) becomes part of a longer sentence or questions (Do you know.?) and the word order changes from the order of a direct question. For example: Direct: What time is it? Indirect: Do you know what time it is? Direct: Why was he late? Indirect: Can you tell me why he was late? Direct: What is that? Indirect: Would you mind telling me what that is?

Using 'do'

When there is no auxiliary verb (be, do have, can, will etc) in a sentence, we need to put in do, does or did when we create a direct question. When we make this into an indirect question however, we don't use the verb 'do'. For example:

Direct: When does the lesson end?
Indirect: Could you tell me when the lesson ends?

Direct: What car does she drive?
Indirect: Can you tell me what car she drives?

Direct: How did you make that cake?
Indirect: Would you mind telling me how you made that cake?

Using 'if' or 'whether':

If there is no question word (who, what, when, why, how) in a direct question, we need to use if or whether in the indirect question. For example: Direct: Did she make it on time? Indirect: Can you tell me if she made it on time? or Can you tell me whether she made it on time? Direct: Is this the right bus for Oxford Street? Indirect: Do you have any idea if this is the right bus for Oxford Street? Direct: Is she French? Indirect: Do you know whether she is French (or not)?