Understanding Direct and Indirect Questions in English
Direct questions are straightforward inquiries we pose to people we know well, while indirect questions are used for politeness and softening the inquiry. This article provides examples, explanations, and practice exercises for mastering the use of direct and indirect questions in English communication.
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DIRECT & INDIRECT QUESTIONS AMINA AKOREDE (2021)
Direct questions Direct questions are the normal questions that we can ask friends, family members, and people who we know well. Example of a direct question: Why did you move to Poland?
Indrect questons We use indirect questions to be more polite. Rather than asking a question directly, we make the question softer and more polite. Example: A) How much does the house cost? B) I d like to know how much the house cost?
Indirect questions are polite, longer forms of normal questions. For example: Where's the hospital? - Direct question Could you tell me where the hospital is, please? - Indirect question What time does the hospital open? - Direct question Do you know what time the hospital opens? - Indirect question
Indrect questons Here is a list of phrases you can use to start an indirect question. I am not sure Do you know . I would like to know . Can you tell me . I d like to know Do you have any idea
Examples Direct: Can you finish the exam in one hour? Indirect: Would it be possible for you to finish the exam in one hour? For direct questions with can, we can use the phrase would it be possible to make it indirect.
Examples If the direct question is a yes or no question, then the indirect question will have if. Direct: Does Lukas like Indian food? Indirect: Do you know if Lukas like Indian food? Direct: Where s the kitchen? Indirect: Could you tell me where the Kitchen is?
Practise Where were the boxes? Can you remember __________________? where the boxes were Why did you move to Africa? I was wondering _______________________? Why you moved to Africa Is she Spanish? Can you tell me if ______________? She is Spanish
Practise Why did she cry? Can you tell me _______________? why she cried Where is Sara? Do you know __________________? where Sara is What did she want? Would you mind telling me ______________? what she wanted
Rewrite the sentences without changing the meaning Where is the nearest bank? Can you tell me_______? Why is that little baby crying? Do you know_________? Is there any water here? Could you tell me_____? Is he coming tomorrow? Does she know_______? How many cars does she have? Do you know________? Do they like swimming? Does he know________? What does she want? Can you explain_______?
Answers Could you tell me where the nearest bank is? Do you know why that little baby is crying? Do you know if there is any water here? Could you tell me if he is coming tomorrow? Do you know how many cars she has? Do you know if they like swimming? Could you tell me what she wants?
