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Understanding Indirect Questions in English

The document discusses indirect questions, which are a polite way to ask for information or make requests. Indirect questions use question words like where, what, when, who, why or how, as well as modal verbs like can, could and would. They are useful when asking favors from friends or others. The document provides examples of direct versus indirect questions and discusses when to use indirect questions.

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59 views8 pages

Understanding Indirect Questions in English

The document discusses indirect questions, which are a polite way to ask for information or make requests. Indirect questions use question words like where, what, when, who, why or how, as well as modal verbs like can, could and would. They are useful when asking favors from friends or others. The document provides examples of direct versus indirect questions and discusses when to use indirect questions.

Uploaded by

JustJuchme
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Do you know what an indirect

question is?
Excuse me, where is Roberto Huembes
Market?

Can you tell me where Roberto Huembes


Market is?
Definition Indirect Questions
Indirect questions  are a more polite way to ask for information or make
requests

We often use them when asking something of strangers or people we do not


know well, including coworkers.

We also use them when asking for favors from friends or when we want to


avoid sounding demanding.

For information requests, add one of the six question words: where, what, when, who,
why or how. We call these “wh-question” words. For example, you heard the
word where in “where Roberto Huembes Market is.”
When we make requests in English, we usually use the modal verbs
can, could and would.

• Can/Could you tell me…? • Do you know…? • Would you mind…? • Do you have any idea…?

• Would it be possible…?

To form an indirect question, we start with phrases like these. Then, we add direct
questions to them, but the word order changes.

Where is Roberto Huembes Market?. (Direct Question)

Can you tell me where Roberto Huembes Market is? (Indirect Question)
Structure Indirect Question

Can you please help me move on


Saturday? (Direct Question)
Asking for favors

Is there any chance you could


help me move on Saturday?

Would it be possible for you to


help me move on Saturday?
5
(Indirect Question)
When use Indirect Questions?

Useful when asking


For a favor friends or other people

Is there any chance can you please


help me move on Saturday?. A lot of effort

I was wondering if you


Big commitment could help me move on
Saturday.

Did you finish the report?


Example
I was wondering if you finished the report.
Using “I was wondering” is a very common way to politely ask a favor or
25/04/2022 seek information in English without sounding too demanding. 6
Yes/no questions for tenses with inversion

Verb Tense Direct Question Indirect Question


Present simple with 'be' Is he Spanish? Can you tell me if he is Spanish?
Present continuous Is the restaurant closing now? Can you tell me if the restaurant
is closing now?
Past simple with 'be' Was he late for the meeting? Can you tell me if he was late for
the meeting?
Past continuous Were you watching TV at 3pm? Can you tell me if you were
watching TV at 3pm?
Present perfect Has Lucy been to Mexico? Can you tell me if Lucy has been
to Mexico?
Present perfect continuous Has she been living here long? Can you tell me if she has been
living here long?
Past perfect Had she found this job when she Can you tell me if she had found
moved here? this job when she moved here?
Questions?

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