How Do You Report a Question?
After Could you tell me…, a question uses statement word order: where the bank is. A reported question uses the same order. The only new part is moving the tense back, as in reported statements.
QUESTION WORD“Where do you work?”
Grandma asked me where I worked.
YES / NO QUESTION“Are you married?”
He asked if I was married.
A reported question is not a question: no did, no question order, no question mark.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"What time does the bank open?" → I asked what time the bank blank.
- Question 2
"Do you like durian?" → Linh asked me blank durian.
The forms
QUESTION WORD
Sasked (+ person)question wordSverb, moved back
The teacher asked us why we were late.
YES / NO
Sasked (+ person)if / whetherSverb, moved back
The receptionist asked whether we had a booking.
Whether means the same as if.
SUBJECT QUESTION
Saskedwho / whatverb, moved back
“Who broke the window?” → Dad asked who had broken the window.
Who is the subject, so the order stays.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Where is the toilet?" → A tourist asked me where blank.
When to use it
After a job interview
They asked me why I wanted the job.
Telling friends how it went.
Passing on a question
Mum asked if you were coming home for dinner.
Mum phoned while your brother was out.
Indirect Question or Reported Question?
| INDIRECT QUESTION | REPORTED QUESTION | |
|---|---|---|
| Use | asking politely now | telling what someone asked |
| Tense moves back | no | yes, after asked |
| Question mark | yes, after Could you / Do you know | never |
Same word order, different tense: Do you know where Minh works? / She asked where Minh worked.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:He asked me what did I want for my birthday.
Correct:He asked me what I wanted for my birthday.
No did. Move want back to wanted.
Incorrect:He asked me am I busy.
Correct:He asked me if I was busy.
A yes / no question needs if or whether.
Incorrect:She asked where was the station.
Correct:She asked where the station was.
The subject goes before be: the station was.
Incorrect:My friend asked me if I was OK?
Correct:My friend asked me if I was OK.
It's a statement now. End with a full stop.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct words:
“How old are you?” → The nurse asked me how old I was.
- A. I was — Correct
- B. was I
- C. am I
Answer: A. I was
A reported question uses statement word order, and are moves back to was.
Choose the correct words:
“Did you enjoy the trip?” → Dad asked if I had enjoyed the trip.
- A. if I had — Correct
- B. did I
- C. if did I
Answer: A. if I had
Did disappears. Enjoyed moves back to had enjoyed.
Choose the correct words:
“Who called you?” → Mum asked who had called me.
- A. had called — Correct
- B. did call
- C. had I called
Answer: A. had called
Nothing changes places. Called becomes had called.
Choose the correct word:
The receptionist asked us if we wanted a room with a view.
- A. asked — Correct
- B. said
- C. told
Answer: A. asked
Said and told report statements. They don't go with if.
Choose the correct sentence:
Nam asked me where I had bought my shoes.
- A. Nam asked me where I had bought my shoes. — Correct
- B. Nam asked me where had I bought my shoes.
- C. Nam asked me where I had bought my shoes?
Answer: A. Nam asked me where I had bought my shoes.
B puts had before the subject. C ends with a question mark.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions