Do you know what an indirect question is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on indirect questions, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
Your writing, at its best
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
According to Grammar Monster, an indirect question is a question embedded inside a statement or another question. These can come in a declarative sentence or an interrogative sentence. Instead of having a question word like a direct question or ‘wh’ questions, an indirect question might use can, if, or whether. The indirect question starts with the question word, but the word order is in the format of a statement not like a question word order. This is a common mistake to the correct way in which the word order changes and goes through an inversion with an indirect question. Indirect questions often use auxiliary verbs or a helping verb. This can be a positive sentence or a negative sentence and can come in a variety of verb tenses, however this sequence of tenses is called the subjunctive. People also can tell what is a question from intonation. An indirect question is considered a polite phrase and is often part of a longer sentence.
What are examples of indirect questions?
The use of indirect questions can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of examples of indirect question that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Take a look at these indirect question examples from Grammar Monster and Perfect English Grammar and see how many you can identify the indirect question in!
I wonder whether other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. (Comedian Rita Rudner)
Can you tell me how long she had been living here when she met you?
I’m asking what the time is.
Can you tell me if he is Spanish?
Could you tell me where the bathroom is? My coworkers told me to meet them there.
Can you tell me if you were watching TV at 3pm?
Can you tell me if he was late for the meeting?
Could you tell me what time the bank opens for family members?
Can you tell me if it is going to rain later?
I’m asking if you are cold.
Can you tell me if Amanda called John yesterday?
Could you tell me if you see him at the A2 bus stop in England? We seem to come across each other in various ways.
Will you tell the staff if you feel cold?
Will you let me know if you do not receive the report on the uncertainty of professional situations by June?
Could you tell me where the nearest station is? My map app keeps trying to take me to the airport by Brighton Pier, but I am trying to catch the right train from the train station – the train leaves in 15 minutes.
Do you know if anyone was listening?
Do you know if/whether the game has started yet?
Can you tell me if he will have been studying French for twenty years when he retires?
Can you tell me when he will have finished the report?
Can you tell me if she will start her new job next week?
Can you tell me what you were doing at 3pm?
I was wondering if you finished the report.
Can you tell me where MacDougal Street is?
Can you tell me why he is unhappy?
Please find out what time the train is due.
Can you tell me when she will start her new job?
In order to know what he is, a man must first know what the sum of this mysterious humanity is, a humanity made up of people who, like himself, do not understand what they are. (Russian author Leo Tolstoy)
I wonder whether Anne is happy.
Does anyone know if Lamborghini makes wheelchair vehicles? (American footballer Steve Gleason, who is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Can you tell me if we should start now?
Can you tell me if she has been living here long?
Can you tell me if he will have finished the report by tonight?
I’m asking whether you are cold.
Can you tell me why Amanda called John yesterday?
Can you tell me if she had been living here long when she met you?
Can you tell me what time Lisa will be meeting the boss?
Can you tell me where Lucy has been?
Can you tell me how long she has been living here?
Do you know if/whether they’re coming with us?
Can you tell me when it is going to rain?
Does she need to know where you’re going?
Can you tell me where David lives?
Can you tell me why she had quit her job before she moved here?
Can you tell me if Lisa will be meeting the boss later?
Can you tell me when the restaurant is closing?
Can you tell me why he was late for the meeting?
Is Mark trying to determine whether he’s allergic to cats?
I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. (American president Abraham Lincoln)
Is there any chance you could help me move on Saturday?
Can you tell me what we should do now?
I’m asking where you are going.
Can you tell me how long he will have been studying French when he retires?
Can you tell me if David lives in London?
Could you tell me if he prefers cake or pie while we are on the category of topics of dessert?
Can you tell me if the restaurant is closing now?
Can you tell me if Lucy has been to Mexico?
Can you tell me if she had found this job when she moved here?
Overall, indirect sentences ask questions in an indirect way.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
December 27, 2021
Common Questions
