Indirect questions
Could you tell us what you have learnt from Unit 21 so far? Have you any idea how you can ask indirect questions? It might be a bit of a challenge, but don’t worry. Here are Rob, Catherine and Mike to help you out.
Here’s a picture of confusing machine control panel. What indirect question could you ask to find out how it works?
Catherine
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Grammar with me, Catherine.
Rob
And me, Rob. Hello.
Catherine
Today we’re talking about indirect questions.
Rob
That’s right: Indirect questions. We’ll tell you what they are, how to make them and when to use them
Catherine
There’ll a quiz at the end of the show, so listen carefully.
Rob
Let’s start with a simple question. Catherine: What time is it?
Catherine
It is 18 minutes past 11, Rob.
Rob
And that question uses normal question word order. What – time – is – it? But there’s another way to ask that question. Let’s listen to Mike:
Mike
Could you tell me what the time is?
Rob
Yes, it’s still 18 minutes past 11! Thanks Mike. This is a much more polite way of asking a question. It’s called an indirect question and it has two parts. The first part is the phrase Could you tell me…
Catherine
… and the second part is the question word what with the information we want to know. Here it is again:
Mike
Could you tell me what time it is?
Catherine
And there are lots of phrases that we can use in the first part of an indirect question. Here are some of them:
Rob
Do you know….?
Mike
Do you know when the film finishes?
Rob
Have you any idea?
Mike
Have you any idea where I left my phone?
Rob
Would you mind telling me …?
Mike
Would you mind telling me how this machine works?
Rob
Now, let’s get a closer look at the second part of indirect questions. And it’s important to note that we don’t use question word order.
Catherine
That’s right, the subject and verb are in the same order as they are in statements. So, we don’t say Can you tell me what time is it? We say Can you tell me what time it is? It’s subject – it – plus verb – is. Listen out for the statement word order in these indirect questions:
Mike
Do you know when the film finishes?
Have you any idea where I left my phone?
Would you mind telling me how this machine works?
Catherine
One more time please?
Mike
Do you know when the film finishes?
Have you any idea where I left my phone?
Would you mind telling me how this machine works?
Rob
Thanks Mike now, let’s talk about yes – no questions. Here are some direct questions.
Mike
Is this coffee for everyone?
Does the canteen open for breakfast?
Can I use this computer?
Catherine
Now, listen to the indirect questions. They use statement word order again, so listen out for that, and also listen out for the two words that come after the part one phrases.
Mike
Do you know if this coffee is for everyone?
Do you know if the canteen opens for breakfast?
Do you know whether I can use this computer?
Catherine
One more time please?
Mike
Do you know if this coffee is for everyone?
Do you know if the canteen opens for breakfast?
Do you know whether I can use this computer?
Rob
So, use if or whether in yes – no questions. The meaning is the same, but whether is a bit more formal than if.
IDENT
6 Minute Grammar from BBC Learning English dot com.
Rob
And we’re talking about indirect questions.
Catherine
That’s right, and we use indirect questions a lot in English, especially when we are talking to people we don’t know.
Rob
Let’s recap: there are two types of indirect questions: those that use question words like what, where, when, why and how …
Catherine
… and those that use if or whether.
Rob
But all indirect questions have the same word order as statements.
Catherine
They do. Now, a quick word about tenses. Listen to these direct questions.
Mike
Does this programme finish soon?
Did a package arrive for me this morning?
Catherine
The first question was in the present simple tense. We had the auxiliary does with the verb finish.
Rob
And the second question was in the simple past, with the auxiliary did and the verb arrive. Let’s hear the indirect questions now.
Mike
Can you tell me if this programme finishes soon?
Could you tell me if a package arrived for me this morning?
Catherine
So, no does or did in the indirect questions. In the first question, it’s finishes in the present simple.
Rob
…and in the second question, it’s arrived, in the past simple.
Catherine
Simple!
Catherine
And now: it’s quiz time. Number one. Which is correct? Is it a) Can you tell me where the coffee machine is? Or b) Can you tell me where is the coffee machine?
Rob
It’s a) Can you tell me where the coffee machine is?
Catherine
Good. Number two. a) Do you know if this machine does give change? Or b) Do you know if this machine gives change?
Rob
It’s b) Do you know if this machine gives change?
Catherine
And number three. Have you any idea what the time is? Or b) Have you any idea what is the time is?
Rob
It’s a) Have you any idea what the time is?
Catherine
Well actually, it’s time for the end of the show. Well done if you got those right.
Rob
There’s lots more about this on our website at www.bbc-story.com. Join us again for more 6 Minute Grammar soon.
Both
Bye.
So did you work it out? You could say: ‘Would you mind telling me how this machine works?’
Grammar Reference
Indirect questions
Meaning and use
There are two ways to ask questions in English – directly and indirectly. Both have the same meaning, but we use indirect questions if we want to sound more formal or polite, especially when we are talking to people we don’t know.
(direct question) What time is it?
(indirect question) Could you tell me what time it is?
When we create indirect questions, the thing we are asking about becomes part of a longer question. And we use introductory phrases such as:
Can/could you tell/show me …?
Do you know …?
Would you mind telling/showing me …?
Have you any idea …?
I wonder …
I wonder if you would mind telling/showing me …?
This is followed by either a question word, such as what, who, when, where, how, or by if/whether, and then the information we want to know. The word order changes from the order of a direct question. Indirect questions have the same word order as statements.
(direct question) Where is the photocopier?
(indirect question) Do you know where the photocopier is?
If we are making an indirect question from a direct question which already contains a question word, like what, who, when, where or how, we keep that same question word.
(Direct question) – What is the dress code in the office?
(Indirect question) – Could you tell me what the dress code is in the office?
If the direct question doesn’t have a question word, then we use if or whether in the indirect question. We can use these interchangeably, although if is a little more informal.
(Direct question) – Is the coffee for everyone?
(Indirect question) – Could you tell me if the coffee is for everyone?
Form
Indirect questions have the same word order as statements:
introductory phrase + if or whether/question word + subject + verb
Look at the following:
(statement) – The meeting is at two.
(direct question) – When is the meeting?
(indirect question) – Do you know when the meeting is?
(indirect question) – Do you know if the meeting is at two?
Notice that the subject and verb in indirect questions after the question word when or if/whether are in the same order as in statements, i.e. subject + verb
(subject) (verb)
The meeting is …
… the meeting is
In the direct question, however, the order is: verb + subject after the question word.
When is the meeting ?
Take note: do, does and did
In the present and past simple, we use do/does or did to make direct questions. When we make indirect questions in the present and past simple, we don’t use these auxiliaries.
(direct question) – What time does the meeting start?
(indirect question) – Can you tell me what time the meeting starts?
(direct question) – Why did you leave your last job?
(indirect question) – Can you tell me why you left your last job?
(direct question) – Did Mr Yenko ring yesterday?
(indirect question) – Do you know if Mr Yenko rang yesterday?