This detailed overview of the English grammar lesson on Indirect Questions from the Lingportal Online School of English breaks down everything covered in the video:
1. What is an Indirect Question?
Definition and Purpose: Indirect questions are a polite way to make requests, ask for information, or ask for favors in English [00:19]. While direct questions can sometimes sound blunt or abrupt, indirect questions softe
n the tone [00:42].
Example Comparison:
Direct: "Where is the nearest bank office?" [00:33]
Indirect: "Could you tell me please where the nearest bank office is?" [00:50]
2. Common Introductory Phrases
To form indirect questions, speakers typically begin with a polite introductory phrase followed by the rest of the question [01:32]. Common phrases include:
Can you tell me / Could you tell me [01:07]
Do you know [01:
18]
Would you mind [01:18]
Would it be possible [01:18]
I wonder [01:18]
Do you have any idea [01:18]
I'd like to know [01:28]
3. Word Order and Grammar Rules
Reversed Word Order: After the introductory phrase, the word order changes to match affirmative sentences (subject + verb) rather than standard question word order [01:40].
Example: "Could you tell me where the bus stop is?" [01:54]
The Verb "To Be": When usin
g the verb "to be", the verb comes after the subject in the indirect clause [02:09].
Example: "Can you tell me where the bank is?" [02:13]
Auxiliary Verbs (Have/Has): Auxiliary verbs like have or has also come after the subject [02:18].
Example: "Do you know where he has gone?" [02:22]
Omission of Do, Does, Did: In the interrogative clause of an indirect question, auxiliary verbs such as do, does, or did are not use
d [02:27].
Example: "Do you have any idea when she moves?" [02:30]
4. Punctuation Rules
Question Marks (?): Used at the end of indirect questions that begin with phrases like can you tell me, could you tell me, do you know, or do you have [02:35].
Full Stops (.): Used at the end of indirect questions that do not convey the exact words of the speaker (reported speech) or sentences beginning with I wonder and I'd like
to know [02:53].
5. Using "If" and "Whether" for Yes/No Questions
When converting yes/no questions or questions with alternatives into indirect questions, either if or whether can be used [03:12]:
If: More common in everyday conversation [03:22]. It cannot be used directly after prepositions [03:41].
Whether: Used for more formal contexts [03:22]. It is preferred when there is more than one alternative or when pair
ed with "or not" [03:30].
Example: "He always says the truth whether it is polite or not." [03:37]
Alternative placement: "I asked her if she was going to the cinema or not." [04:04] Both whether or not and whether... or not variants are acceptable [04:11].
Watch the original video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6muaUJHMnFg
Indirect Questions – English Grammar lesson
Lingportal Online School of English · 183K
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