starter + question word + subject + verbAfter the question word, use normal statement order. Do not invert subject and auxiliary.
Indirect Questions
B1Indirect questions put the question inside another sentence. After the question word, use statement order: Do you know where she lives?
What you'll learn
- Keep statement order after where, what, when, why, who, and how.
- Use if or whether for hidden yes/no questions.
- Remove do, does, and did inside the indirect part.
- Use a question mark only when the whole sentence is a question.
- Ask for information more politely with indirect starters.
Structure
starter + if/whether + subject + verb/beFor yes/no meaning, use if or whether. Then keep statement order in the rest of the clause.
Build a sentence
Starter
Question part
Do you knowwhereshelives?
Do you know where she lives?
After where, keep statement order: she lives.
When to use
Polite requests
Use indirect questions to ask for information in a softer way: Could you tell me where the station is?
Everyday checks
Ask about facts you do not know yet: Do you know when the store closes?
Reported knowledge
Use an indirect question inside a statement: I know why Maria left early.
Markers
Do you knowCan you tell meCould you tell meI wonderWould you mind telling me
Common mistakes
Wrong
Do you know where does she live?
Correct
Do you know where she lives?
Inside the indirect question, use statement order: subject before verb.
Wrong
Can you tell me he is ready?
Correct
Can you tell me if he is ready?
A hidden yes/no question needs if or whether.
Wrong
Do you know where she does work?
Correct
Do you know where she works?
Do-support belongs to direct questions. Inside an indirect question, use the normal verb form.
Wrong
I know where she lives?
Correct
I know where she lives.
The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a period.
Common misconceptions
❝ If there is a question word in the sentence, the sentence must end with a question mark. ❞
Look at the main sentence. I know where she lives is a statement, so it ends with a period.
❝ The hidden question keeps the same word order as a direct question. ❞
Direct questions invert the order, but indirect questions return to normal statement order after the question word.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_STATEMENT_ORDER_AFTER_WHw5Keep statement order after the question word
In an indirect question, the part after where, what, when, why, who, or how follows normal statement order. Do not move the auxiliary before the subject there.
IF_WHETHER_FOR_YES_NOw5Use if or whether for indirect yes/no questions
When the hidden question is yes/no, start the second part with if or whether. Then keep normal statement order after it.
NO_DO_DOES_DID_INSIDEw4Drop do, does, and did inside indirect questions
Inside an indirect question, do-support disappears. Use the main verb or be in statement order instead.
PUNCTUATION_BY_MAIN_SENTENCEw3Choose the final punctuation from the main sentence
Use a question mark when the whole sentence is a question. Use a period when the whole sentence is a statement like I know or I wonder.
USE_POLITE_INTROSw3Use indirect questions to sound more polite
Use starters like Could you tell me..., Do you know..., or I wonder... when asking for information more softly.