What Is an Indirect Question?
An indirect question starts with a polite opening, like Could you tell me…? or Do you know…?, and puts the real question after it. It sounds softer, so people use it with strangers.
DIRECTis before the subject
Where is the bank?
INDIRECTis after the subject
After where, the words go in normal order.
Could you tell me where the bank is?
NO DOESthe -s goes back on the verb
Do you know what time the pharmacy closes?
After the opening, use normal order: subject, then verb.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Excuse me, could you tell me where blank?"
- Question 2
"Do you know what time blank?"
The forms
WH- QUESTION
Could you tell me / Do you knowwh-Sverb?
Do you know where Linh lives?
No do, does or did.
YES / NO QUESTION
Do you knowif / whetherSverb?
Do you know whether the museum is open on Mondays?
Whether is a little more formal than if.
STATEMENT OPENING
I wonder / I'd like to knowwh- / ifSverb.
I wonder why she didn't come.
The opening is not a question, so end with a full stop.
A subject question does not change: Do you know who left this bag here?
what time does it open → Do you know what time it opens?
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Do you know blank the restaurant takes cards?"
When to use them
Asking a stranger the way
Excuse me, do you know which bus goes to Bến Thành Market?
At a bus stop. Which bus is the subject, so no does.
At a hotel desk
Could you tell me what time breakfast finishes?
The direct question is fine too, but this sounds friendlier to staff.
At work
I'd like to know when my contract starts.
In an email or a meeting with HR.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Can you tell me where is the toilet?
Correct:Can you tell me where the toilet is?
After the opening, the subject comes before is.
Incorrect:Do you know what time does the bus leave?
Correct:Do you know what time the bus leaves?
Drop does. The -s goes back on leave.
Incorrect:Do you know is the shop open?
Correct:Do you know if the shop is open?
A yes/no question needs if after the opening.
Incorrect:Could you tell me where did you buy it?
Correct:Could you tell me where you bought it?
No did, so use the past form: bought.
Incorrect:I wonder what is her name?
Correct:I wonder what her name is.
Normal order after I wonder, and a full stop.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct words:
Could you tell me how much this jacket costs?
- A. this jacket costs — Correct
- B. does this jacket cost
- C. this jacket cost
Answer: A. this jacket costs
Without does, the -s goes back on the verb: this jacket costs.
Choose the correct words:
Do you know if Hà is coming tonight?
- A. if Hà is coming — Correct
- B. is Hà coming
- C. if is Hà coming
Answer: A. if Hà is coming
The direct question is "Is Hà coming?". Add if, then put Hà before is.
Choose the correct sentence:
I wonder where Nam put my keys.
- A. I wonder where Nam put my keys. — Correct
- B. I wonder where did Nam put my keys?
- C. I wonder where Nam put my keys?
Answer: A. I wonder where Nam put my keys.
B keeps did and question order. C has the right order but the wrong mark.
Choose the correct words:
Do you know who made this cake?
- A. made — Correct
- B. did make
- C. did he make
Answer: A. made
"Who made this cake?" has no did, so the indirect question has none either.
Choose the correct words:
Do you know where Tuấn went last night?
- A. Tuấn went — Correct
- B. did Tuấn go
- C. Tuấn did go
Answer: A. Tuấn went
"Where did Tuấn go?" becomes "where Tuấn went". The past moves back onto the verb.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions