【6】日常语法: Do You Know What an Indirect Question Is?

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EVERYDAY GRAMMAR

Do You Know What an Indirect Question Is?

Everyday Grammar: Indirect Questions

So, to form an indirect question, again start with an indirect question phrase, such as “Can you tell me…?”

Then, for information requests, add one of the six question words: where, what, when, who, why orhow. We call these “wh-question” words. For example, you heard the word where in “where MacDougal Street is.”

“Yes or no” questions

But, some indirect questions do not contain wh-question words. These are direct “yes or no” questions that we convert into indirect questions. For example:

Has the game started yet?

That is a “yes or no” question. To form these into indirect questions, we start with an indirect question phrase, such as “Do you know…?” and then begin the noun clause with if or whether. Let’s listen to the direct “yes or no” question again:

Has the game started yet?

This example uses the present perfect verb has started.

Now, let’s listen to how it changes into an indirect question using if and whether:

Do you know if the game has started yet?

Do you know whether the game has started yet?

You’ll notice that, in the indirect examples, the has from the verb is no longer separated by the subject, like in question word order. Instead it appears together, as it would in a statement.

Here’s another example of a “yes or no” question. The direct question uses the present continuous verb are coming:

Are they coming with us?

In the indirect question, the words “are coming” go together and we use if or whether. Listen:

Do you know whether they’re coming with us?

Many English learners forget to keep statement word order in the noun clauses of indirect questions. For “yes or no” questions, they may also forget to use if or whether. For example, they may say: “Do you know are they coming with us?”

But now that you know the correct way, you can avoid these two common mistakes.

Asking for favors

Indirect questions are also useful when asking friends or other people we know for a favor, especially when the favor requires a lot of effort. Let’s listen to someone asking a favor directly:

Can you please help me move on Saturday?

Even with “please” in the direct question, it sounds a little too direct for such a major request. Now, listen to the same question introduced by the indirect phrases: “Is there any chance…?” and “Would it be possible…?”

Is there any chance you could help me move on Saturday?

Would it be possible for you to help me move on Saturday?

These indirect questions let the listener know that you understand that the favor is a big commitment.

You can also ask a big favor indirectly with the phrase “I was wondering…”:

I was wondering if you could help me move on Saturday.

Notice anything different here? This example does not have a question mark. It is not a question. However, when we use “I wonder” or “I was wondering,” in a statement, we usually are seeking information, just like a question does.

Using “I was wondering” is a very common way to politely ask a favor or seek information in English without sounding too demanding.

Here’s another example. Listen to the direct question:

Did you finish the report?

And the indirect question:

I was wondering if you finished the report.

Now, you try it!

OK, now you try it. Make these direct questions into indirect questions:

What time is it?
Where is the music shop?
Why did you move to D.C.?
Can we meet on Monday?
Can you loan me your car?

Don’t forget to use statement word order after the indirect question phrases. And remember that “yes or no” direct questions get if or whether in indirect questions.

Well, that’s all the time we have today. Would you mind telling us if you liked the program?

I’m Alice Bryant.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Some examples you heard today:

Direct Questions	Indirect Questions
Where is MacDougal Street?	Can you tell me where MacDougal Street is?
Has the game started yet?	Do you know if/whether the game has started yet?
Are they coming with us?	Do you know if/whether they’re coming with us?
Can you help me move on Saturday?	Is there any chance you could help me move on Saturday?
Did you finish the report?	I was wondering if you finished the report.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

coworker – n. someone you work with

favor – n. a kind or helpful act that you do for someone

phrase – n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence

clause – a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb

convert – v. to change something into a different form or so that it can be used in a different way

commitment – n. a promise to do or give something

EVERYDAY GRAMMAR TV

Everyday Grammar: I.e. & E.g.

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=f1340qfzsn9&width=500&height=375&auto=0

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