Indirect Questions in English Grammar

1 Reporting verb + Question word + Subject + Verb
2 Example: "Ask + where + the library + is"
3 Result: "Could you tell me where the library is?"

1 No auxiliary verb inversion in the embedded question
2 Use normal word order: Subject + Verb
3 End with a period (not a question mark)
4 Use polite reporting verbs like "ask", "wonder", "could you tell me"

1 Reporting verb + Wh-word + Subject + Verb
2 Keep normal word order (no inversion)
3 Example: "I wonder what time it is" (not "what time is it")
4 Example: "Could you tell me where the bank is?" (not "where is the bank?")

1 Direct: "What time is it?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me what time it is?"
2 Direct: "Where does she live?" → Indirect: "Do you know where she lives?"
3 Direct: "Why are you late?" → Indirect: "I wonder why you are late."
4 Direct: "How do you solve this?" → Indirect: "Could you show me how you solve this?"

1 Reporting verb + "if" or "whether" + Subject + Verb
2 Use "if" for positive statements
3 Use "whether" for alternatives or uncertainty
4 Keep normal word order (no auxiliary inversion)

1 Direct: "Do you like pizza?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you like pizza?"
2 Direct: "Are you coming?" → Indirect: "I wonder whether you are coming."
3 Direct: "Can you help me?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you can help me?"
4 Direct: "Is it raining?" → Indirect: "Do you know whether it is raining?"

1 Could you tell me...
2 Would you mind telling me...
3 Do you know...
4 I wonder...
5 Could you please explain...

1 I would like to know...
2 I was wondering if...
3 May I ask...
4 Excuse me, but could you tell me...

1 Present → Past: "I know where he lives" → "He said he knew where he lived"
2 Past → Past Perfect: "I went to school" → "He said he had gone to school"
3 Will → Would: "I will come" → "He said he would come"
4 Can → Could: "I can help" → "He said he could help"

1 Direct: "Where do you live?" → Indirect: "He asked where I lived"
2 Direct: "When did you arrive?" → Indirect: "She asked when I had arrived"
3 Direct: "Can you help me?" → Indirect: "He asked if I could help him"
4 Direct: "Will you come?" → Indirect: "She asked if I would come"

1 Direct: "Do you work here?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you work here?"
2 Direct: "Where does she live?" → Indirect: "Do you know where she lives?"

1 Direct: "Did you see the movie?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you saw the movie?"
2 Direct: "Where did you go?" → Indirect: "Do you know where you went?"

1 Direct: "Will you come?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you will come?"
2 Direct: "When will you arrive?" → Indirect: "Do you know when you will arrive?"

1 Direct: "Where is the library?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me where the library is?"
2 Direct: "Do you like coffee?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you like coffee?"
3 Direct: "When does the train leave?" → Indirect: "Do you know when the train leaves?"
4 Direct: "Can you help me?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me if you can help me?"
5 Direct: "Why are you late?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me why you are late?"

1. Use reporting verbs like "could you tell me", "do you know", "I wonder"
2. Keep normal word order (Subject + Verb) in the embedded question
3. End with a period, not a question mark

1 "Could you tell me ___ you live?" (where)
2 "Do you know ___ she is coming?" (if)
3 "I wonder ___ you are so happy." (why)
4 "Could you explain ___ this works?" (how)
5 "Would you mind telling me ___ the next bus arrives?" (when)

1. where, 2. if, 3. why, 4. how, 5. when

1 ❌ "Could you tell me where is the library?" → ✅ "Could you tell me where the library is?"
2 ❌ "Do you know if he can help me or not?" → ✅ "Do you know whether he can help me or not?"
3 ❌ "I wonder what time is it?" → ✅ "I wonder what time it is?"
4 ❌ "Could you tell me do you like coffee?" → ✅ "Could you tell me if you like coffee?"
5 ❌ "I wonder where did you go?" → ✅ "I wonder where you went?"

1. Inverted word order in embedded question
2. Incorrect use of "if" vs "whether"
3. Missing auxiliary verb in embedded question

1 "I would be grateful if you could tell me..."
2 "Might I inquire as to whether..."
3 "Would it be possible for you to inform me..."
4 "I was wondering if you might be able to..."

1 "I wonder if..."
2 "Do you know if..."
3 "Could you tell me..."
4 "I'm curious about..."

1 ❌ "Could you tell me where is the library?" → ✅ "Could you tell me where the library is?"
2 ❌ "Do you know if he can help me or not?" → ✅ "Do you know whether he can help me or not?"
3 ❌ "I wonder what time is it?" → ✅ "I wonder what time it is?"
4 ❌ "Could you tell me do you like coffee?" → ✅ "Could you tell me if you like coffee?"

1 ❌ "Do you know how does it work?" → ✅ "Do you know how it works?"
2 ❌ "Could you tell me when did you arrive?" → ✅ "Could you tell me when you arrived?"
3 ❌ "I wonder who did you see?" → ✅ "I wonder who you saw?"

A: Excuse me, could you tell me where the nearest bank is?
B: Sure, it's just around the corner. Do you know if it's open now?
A: I'm not sure. Could you tell me what time it closes?
B: I believe it closes at 6 PM. I wonder if they have ATMs inside.
A: Yes, they do. Would you mind telling me if you know where the post office is?
B: Of course! Do you know whether it's open on Sundays?
A: No, it's closed on Sundays. Thank you for your help!

• 1 Pay attention to normal word order in embedded questions
• 2 Use polite reporting verbs
• 3 Practice with a partner if possible
• 4 Focus on natural rhythm and intonation

Which is the correct indirect question for "Where is the library?":
A) Could you tell me where is the library?
B) Could you tell me where the library is?
C) Could you tell me where the library?
Answer: B) Could you tell me where the library is?

How do you convert "Do you like coffee?" to an indirect question?
A) Could you tell me if you like coffee?
B) Could you tell me do you like coffee?
C) Could you tell me whether do you like coffee?
Answer: A) Could you tell me if you like coffee?

Which reporting verb is most polite?
A) Ask
B) Could you tell me
C) Tell me
Answer: B) Could you tell me

• Reporting verb + Question word/If + Subject + Verb
• No auxiliary inversion in embedded question
• Normal word order: Subject + Verb
• End with period, not question mark

• Could you tell me...
• Do you know...
• I wonder...
• Would you mind...