indirect and reported questions

Indirect and Reported Questions


When you ask someone for information, you can use an indirect question beginning with a phrase such as ‘Could you tell me …’ or ‘Do you know …’.

Could you tell me how far it is to the bank?

Do you know where Jane is?


When you want to ask someone politely to do something, you can use an indirect question after ‘I wonder’.

I wonder if you can help me.


You also use ‘I wonder’ followed by an indirect question to indicate what you are thinking about.

I wonder what she’ll look like.

I wonder which hotel it was.


When you are talking about a question that someone has asked, you use a reported question.

She asked me why I was so late.

He wanted to know where I was going.

I asked her if I could help her.


In formal and written English, ‘enquire’ (also spelled ‘inquire’) is often used instead of ‘ask’.

William had enquired if she did a lot of acting.

He inquired whether he could see her.


In indirect and reported questions, the subject of the question comes before the verb, just as it does in affirmative sentences.

Do you know where Jane is?

I wonder if you can help me.

She asked me why I was late.


You do not normally use the auxiliary ‘do’ in indirect or reported questions.

Can you remember when they open on Sundays?

I wonder what he feels about it.

She asked him if his parents spoke French.


The auxiliary ‘do’ can be used in indirect or reported questions, but only for emphasis, or to make a contrast with something that has already been said. It is not put before the subject as in direct questions.

She asked me whether I really did mean it.


You use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ to introduce indirect and reported ‘yes/no’-questions.

I wonder if you’d give the children a bath.

I am writing to ask whether you would could care to come and visit us.


‘Whether’ is used especially when there is a choice of possibilities.

I was asked whether I wanted to stay at a hotel or at his home.

They asked whether Tim was or was not in the team.


Note: You can put ‘or not’ immediately after ‘whether’, but not immediately after ‘if’.

The police asked whether or not they were in.


When you are asking a question, the verb in the reported clause is often in the past tense. This is because you are often talking about the past when you are reporting someone else’s words.

She asked me why I was too late.

Pat asked him if she had hurt him.


However, you can use a present or future tense if the question you are reporting relates to the present or future.

Mark was asking if you’re enjoying your new job.

They asked if you’ll be there tomorrow night.

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indirect and reported questions

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