Indirect Questions

Indirect Questions

Look at these sentences: • Where does she live? • I want to know where she lives. • Can you tell me where she lives? What is the difference?  There is no “does” in sentences 2 and 3.  They (2,3) are indirect questions. And sentence 1 is direct question.

Direct questions  Indirect questions Question with question word • Question words: • Who: Who is that man? • Whom: To whom did you talk to yesterday? • Which: Which does she like, milk or wine? • What: What have you finished? • Where: Where will Mary spend on holiday? • When: When did the children go to bed? • How: How could they do that?

Direct questions  Indirect questions Question with question word What timedidthe trainleave? She wonders what time the train left. Whenwill Susan arrive? Could you tell me when Susan will arrive? Introductory phrase + wh-word + positive statement

Direct questions  indirect questions Question without question word Are they in the garden? if Do you know they are in the garden? whether Did he break the vase? if Mom wants to know he broke the vase. whether

Direct questions  indirect questions Question without question word Do you like tea or coffee? if I can’t remember you like tea or coffee. whether Introductory phrase + whether/if+positive statement

Direct questions  indirect questions In general wh-word + if + whether Positive statement Introductory phrase

Direct questions  indirect questions Asking for instruction How can I start this machine? Do you know how to start this machine? How do you do this exercise? Would you mind telling me how to do this exercise? Use to – infinitive

Introductory phrase • I don’t know • I wonder • I can’t remember • I have no idea • I’d like to know • I’m not sure • Could you tell me • Do you know • Do you happen to know • Have you got any idea • Do you remember • Would you mind telling me … . … ?

When do we use indirect question? Consider the following situation: At a meeting you, are talking to a man that you have never met. However, you know his name and also that this man knows a colleague named Jack. You turn to him and ask: “Where is Jack?” The man seems a little bothered and says he doesn't know. He isn't very friendly. Why so?

When do we use indirect question? • To make the questions sound “softer” or more polite • Did you use my pen? vs. I’d like to know whether you used my pen. • What does he want? vs. Would you mind telling me what he wants? • Have you finish your work? vs. I wonder if you have finished your work.

Role – play • Student A: You are at the information desk of a hotel / an office block / a museum / etc. and want information about services, people, exhibitions, etc. Think of as many Indirect question as you can • Student B: You are a new receptionist and don’t know any information • Ex: A: Can you tell me where the toilet is? B: Sorry, I don’t know where it is.

Suggestion • You can ask about: • Where is the lift? • How can I get to my room? • Is there refrigerator in the room? • Who is the manager here? • When should I come back here? • Which stamp should I buy?

Indirect Questions