Indirect Questions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Direct vs. Indirect Questions

Direct vs. Indirect Questions

When we ask for information, we often use direct questions:
Where is it?

If we want to be more polite/formal, we use indirect questions:
Can you tell me where it is?

What is the direct question?

1. Could you tell me what time it is?
2. Do you know what time it is?
3. What time is it?
4. Would it be possible for you to let me know what time it is?

What is the indirect question?

1. Is Peter home?
2. Did Ellen reply to your email?
3. Why are you crying?
4. Could you tell me how long the trip will take?

How to form an indirect question...

Indirect questions often begin with:

- Could you
tell me ...;

-  I would like to know ...;

- I was wondering ...;

- Is there any chance...

Exercise

Rewrite the direct questions as indirect questions.
Mind your spelling and punctuation. 

Where is the nearest hotel?
(Start with: Could you tell me...)

How do you say this in English?
(Start with: I would like to know...)

Do you have this shirt in a smaller size?
(Start with: I was wondering...)

Could you help me move on Saturday?
(start with: Is there any chance...)

Done!