An indirect question is not a question at all. In a direct question, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. However, in an indirect question, the auxiliary verb comes after the subject. What’s more, an indirect question ends with a full stop, not a question mark.
Read the following sentences.
Direct question: Where are you going?
Indirect question: I want to know where you are going. (NOT I want to know where are you going?)
Direct question: When do you intend to leave?
Indirect question: I want to know when you intend to leave. (NOT I want to know when do you intend to leave?)
Change the following direct questions into indirect questions using the introductory clauses given.
Exercise complete
Answers
- I would like to know what your plans are.
- She wondered why I refused to sign the papers.
- Tell me what you mean by that.
- Can you tell me whether he is dependable?
- He wants to know why she doesn’t like him.
- She asked me what I did then.
- He asked me why I was crying.