Main points
*You use indirect questions to ask for information or help.
*In indirect questions, the subject of the question comes before the verb.
*You can use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ in indirect questions.
a) 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?
b) 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.
c) In indirect 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.
d) You do not normally use the auxiliary ‘do’ in indirect questions.
- Can you remember when they open on Sundays?
- I wonder what he feels about it.
The auxiliary ‘do’ can be used in indirect 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.
- I wonder if he does do anything.
e) You use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ to introduce indirect questions.
- I wonder if you’ give the children a bath?
- I’m writing to ask whether you would care to come and visit us.
‘Whether’ is used especially when there is a choice of possibilities.
- I wonder whether it is the police or just a neighbor.
- I wonder whether that’s good for him or not.
Note that you can put ‘or not’ immediately after ‘whether’ but not immediately after ‘if’.
- I wonder whether or not were are so different from our ancestors.
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Top Tips Abz Ingles: Part A - Part B
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See also:
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