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Indirect question Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( Indirect question phrase + question word / if / whether + subject + verb )

In English, in more formal situations, we often use indirect questions because they sound more polite.

To make a question more polite we often begin with an indirect question phrase such as:

  • Could you tell me...?
  • Do you know...?
  • Have you any idea...?
  • Can you tell me...?


Example questions :

DIRECT QUESTION : Where is the post office?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Do you know where the post office is?

DIRECT QUESTION : What's the time?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Could you tell me what the time is?

DIRECT QUESTION : Does this train go to Brighton?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Can you tell me if this train goes to Brighton?

DIRECT QUESTION : Is there a bank nearby?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Have you any idea whether there is a bank nearby?


Note for use of indirect questions :

If the direct question begins with an auxiliary verb ( no question word), add 'if' or 'whether' after an indirect question phrase to make the question indirect.

We don't use 'if' or whether with Do you think...?

eg. Do you think he's gone to London? NOT Do you think if he's gone to London?

Indirect question example sentences
Can you tell me what you are planning then?Можешь сказать мне, что ты планируешь делать тогда?
Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho?Ты знаешь, как девочки будут добираться до Сохо?
How many people do you think you are going to cook for?На сколько человек ты рассчитываешь приготовить?
Do you think she is good?Ты думаешь, она хороша?
Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please?Ник, не мог бы ты сказать, пожалуйста, как много они платят?
Do you know how much the tickets are?Ты знаешь, сколько стоят билеты?
Do you think we should make a reservation?Думаешь, нам надо было зарезервировать столик заранее?
When do you think we can have the meeting?Когда мы можем встретиться, как ты думаешь?
Can you please tell me where it is?Пожалуйста, можешь сказать, где оно?
When do you think you will be leaving?В какое время ты думаешь будешь выезжать?
Erm, what do you think she could do to them?Хм, а что, ты думаешь, она может им сделать?
How much do you think renting a house would cost?Как думаешь, во сколько может обойтись аренда дома?
I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here?Я еще изучаю, как думаешь, я могу попробовать здесь жуков?
Do you know how old this station is?Не знаешь, как давно оно построено?
Do you know what colour the packet is?Ты знаешь, какого цвета должен быть пакет?
Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then?Ой, я забыла об этом, когда же мы тогда сможем встретиться?
Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket?Да, я готова, как думаешь, мне стоит взять куртку?
Do you know what time it is?Ты знаешь, который час?
But why do you think we should leave the house?Но, почему ты думаешь, что нам нужно переехать из этого дома?
Do you know where the kitchen is?Ты знаешь, где кухня?

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Be going to
Be going to passive
Be used to / Get used to
Comparative
Defining relative clause
Echo tag
Expression
First conditional
Future
Future continuous
Future perfect continuous
Future perfect passive
Future perfect simple
Future simple passive
Greeting
Have/Get something done
Imperative
Implied conditional
Indirect question
Infinitive of purpose
Interjection
Mixed conditional
Modal
Modal passive
Non-defining relative clause
Other
Past continuous
Past continuous passive
Past perfect continuous
Past perfect passive
Past perfect simple
Past simple
Past simple passive
Polite request / offer / suggestion
Present continuous
Present continuous passive
Present perfect continuous
Present perfect passive
Present perfect simple
Present simple
Present simple passive
Question tag
Reduced relative clause
Reported speech imperative
Reported speech question
Reported speech request
Reported speech statement
Second conditional
Short answer
Superlative
Third conditional
Used to / would (past habit)
Was/were going to
Was/were supposed to
Wish
Would rather
Zero conditional