Indirect Questions

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Can you tell me where is the station? → Can you tell me where the station is?
   subject before verb after the opening
2. Do you know what time does the film start? → Do you know what time the film starts?
   no does — the verb takes the -s
3. Do you know is the shop open? → Do you know if the shop is open?
   yes/no question → if or whether
4. Could you tell me where did you buy it? → Could you tell me where you bought it?
   no did — the verb goes into the past

Indirect Questions — Exercises

Choose the indirect question

Circle the correct words.

1. Can you tell me where _____? (is the station / the station is)
2. Do you know what time _____? (the film starts / does the film start)
3. Could you tell me how much _____? (does this jacket cost / this jacket costs)
4. Do you know _____ the museum is open on Sundays? (if / does / is)
5. Can you tell me where _____ the tickets? (did you buy / you bought)
6. I'd like to know when _____. (the next bus leaves / does the next bus leave)
7. Do you know who _____? (is that man / that man is)
8. Can you tell me _____ this train goes to Oxford? (if / does / where does)

Make it polite

Complete the indirect question. Write the words that go in the gap.

1. "Where is the bank?" → Can you tell me  ?
2. "What time does the shop close?" → Do you know  ?
3. "Is the café open?" → Do you know  ?
4. "How much does a ticket cost?" → Could you tell me  ?
5. "Where did you buy your bike?" → Can I ask  ?
6. "Does this bus go to the airport?" → Can you tell me  ?

Indirect Questions — Answer Key

Choose the indirect question

1. the station is — After the opening, subject + verb: where the station is.
2. the film starts — No does in an indirect question: what time the film starts.
3. this jacket costs — No does: how much this jacket costs.
4. if — A yes/no question becomes if (or whether) + sentence.
5. you bought — No did — the verb goes into the past: where you bought.
6. the next bus leaves — Statement word order, no does: when the next bus leaves.
7. that man is — Subject + verb: who that man is.
8. if — Yes/no question → if: if this train goes to Oxford.

Make it polite

1. where the bank is
2. what time the shop closes
3. if the café is open
4. how much a ticket costs
5. where you bought your bike
6. if this bus goes to the airport