Indirect Questions in English - Ace English Club

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Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

Get 20% Off Your First Month — Use Code EARLYBIRD20

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Grammar
B2

Indirect Questions in English

Indirect questions are polite ways to ask a question using a phrase instead of question words.

In this lesson, you’ll learn some common phrases and practise using them.

How to use indirect questions?

Indirect questions are polite ways to ask a question.

Question marks are not used at the end unless a question word such as , could, can etc, is used. A full stop is the usual punctuation.

Common Indirect phrases

I wonder if …
Could you tell me ….?
I was wondering …
Would it be possible ….?
I’d like to know ….
Would you mind ….?
Do you know ….?

Word Order

Same as a statement sentence. Indirect question phrase + subject + verb

For example,

Direct question = What time is it?
Indirect question = Could you tell me what time it is?

Examples

1. I was wondering when the train is leaving.

2. Would it be possible to tell me where the museum is?

3. Do you know if the shop is closed?

Remember – same word order as a statement sentence

Practise

Match the indirect phrases to the rest of the question.

Common mistakes learners make

Using a normal question word order
Using question marks in wrong indirect questions

Common mistakes learners make

Using a normal question word order
Using question marks in wrong indirect questions

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