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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
Do you think we should buy it?你觉得我们应该买吗?
But why do you think we should leave the house?但是你觉得为什么我们要离开房子?
How many people do you think you are going to cook for?你觉得你要做给几个人吃?
Erm, what do you think she could do to them?额,你觉得她会对他们做什么呢?
Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please?尼克,请告诉我,他们付多少呢?
When do you think we can have the meeting?你觉得我们什么时间可以开会?
Do you think they are doing fine?你觉得它们相处得还可以吗?
Do you think we should buy the return tickets now?你觉得我们现在应当购买返程票吗?
Can you please tell me where it is?你能告诉我它在哪里吗?
Do you know how old this station is?你知道这个车站有多少年的历史了吗?
Do you think we should make a reservation?你觉得我们要先预订下吗?
It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be?7点半! 你觉得会是谁呢?
That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices?太疯狂了,你觉得我们可以讨价还价吗?
When do you think you will be leaving?你觉得什么时间可以出发?
Do you know where the kitchen is?你知道厨房在哪儿吗?
Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please?请解释下为什么我们每周必须要多付30英镑?
Do you think she is good?你认为她很棒吗?
Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket?是的,我准备好了,你觉得我需要一件外套吗?
Don't you think he is a nice guy?你不觉得他很不错吗?
Don't you think it's better to live upstairs?你不觉得住在楼上更好吗?

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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