You make a question indirect by embedding it within a larger statement, softening its directness and often making it more polite.
Here's a breakdown of how to form indirect questions:
Key Characteristics of Indirect Questions
- Polite Introductory Phrase: Begin with a polite phrase such as "Could you tell me...", "Do you know...", "I was wondering...", or "I'd like to know...".
- No Auxiliary Verbs (do, does, did): When the direct question uses 'do,' 'does,' or 'did,' these are omitted in the indirect question. The main verb is conjugated accordingly.
- "If" or "Whether": Use "if" or "whether" when the direct question is a yes/no question and lacks a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Statement Word Order: The word order generally follows statement order (subject-verb) rather than the inverted order of direct questions.
Examples
Let's illustrate with examples, converting direct questions to indirect questions:
| Direct Question | Indirect Question | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the library? | Could you tell me where the library is? | The direct question "Where is the library?" is converted to an indirect question by adding the introductory phrase "Could you tell me." The word order changes from "is the library?" to "the library is". |
| Does he like coffee? | I was wondering if he likes coffee. | The direct question "Does he like coffee?" is a yes/no question. Therefore, we use "if" to introduce the indirect question. The auxiliary verb "does" is removed, and the verb "like" is conjugated to "likes" to agree with the subject "he." The introductory phrase "I was wondering" makes it less abrupt. |
| What time does the movie start? | Do you know what time the movie starts? | The direct question "What time does the movie start?" is transformed by adding the introductory phrase, "Do you know...". The auxiliary verb 'does' is removed and 'start' is conjugated to 'starts'. The subject/verb order reverts to the standard statement order "the movie starts". |
| Did she go to the store? | I'd like to know whether she went to the store. | The direct question requires using "whether" because it's a yes/no question. The "did" is removed, and the verb "go" changes to "went". The introductory phrase makes the request polite. |
| Why are you so late? | I'd like to understand why you are so late. | Adding "I'd like to understand" makes the question less accusatory. The word order remains essentially the same, but the phrase alters the tone. |
Summary
Creating indirect questions involves using polite introductory phrases, adjusting the word order to a statement structure, omitting auxiliary verbs like "do," "does," and "did," and introducing yes/no questions with "if" or "whether." This technique allows you to inquire in a more courteous and subtle way.
