What are indirect questions?
An indirect question is a question inside a sentence. We use it when we ask for information in a polite or formal way. For example, instead of asking "Where is the station?" directly, we might say "Can you tell me where the station is?" The indirect question comes after a main clause like "I wonder," "Can you tell me," or "Do you know."
Word order in indirect questions
This is the most important rule: indirect questions use statement word order, NOT question word order. This means the subject comes before the verb. There is no auxiliary verb at the beginning, and there is no question mark at the end. Compare: Direct question: "Where do you live?" (question word order). Indirect question: "Can you tell me where you live?" (statement word order).
Common patterns
Indirect questions usually follow these patterns: "I wonder / Can you tell me / Do you know + question word + subject + verb." The question word (where, what, who, when, why, how) stays at the beginning of the indirect question, but everything after it follows normal statement word order. Never use "do" or "does" in the indirect question part.
Direct vs Indirect Questions: Word Order Comparison
| Category | Direct Question | Indirect Question |
|---|---|---|
| Word Order | Question word + auxiliary + subject + main verb (inverted structure) |
Introductory phrase + question word + subject + main verb (statement structure) |
| When to Use | In direct, straightforward conversations; asking someone directly for information | In formal situations, polite requests, reported speech, or when being less blunt |
| With "Where" | Where is the station? | Could you tell me where the station is? |
| With "What" | What does she want? | Do you know what she wants? |
| With "When" | When did he arrive? | I'd like to know when he arrived. |
| With "Why" | Why are they late? | Can you explain why they are late? |
| With "How" | How do you spell that? | Could you tell me how you spell that? |
| Yes/No Questions | Is the bank open? | Do you know if / whether the bank is open? |
| Auxiliary Verbs (do/does/did) | Auxiliary verb is required to form the question What does he study? |
Auxiliary verb is dropped; main verb takes correct tense I wonder what he studies. |
| Punctuation | Ends with a question mark (?) Where does she live? |
Often ends with a full stop (.) when embedded in a statement I don't know where she lives. |
| Introductory Phrases | None — question stands alone | Could you tell me…, Do you know…, I wonder…, I'd like to know…, Can you explain…, I'm not sure… |
| Formality & Tone | More direct; can sound abrupt in formal contexts | More polite and formal; preferred in professional or unfamiliar situations |
| Key Signal Words | What, Where, When, Why, Who, How, Which + inverted verb | if, whether (for yes/no); same question words but followed by normal subject-verb order |
| 🔑 Key Difference: In a direct question, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject (inverted order), and no introductory phrase is needed. In an indirect question, the word order returns to normal subject-verb order (as in a statement), the auxiliary verb "do/does/did" is dropped, and the question is introduced by a polite phrase. For yes/no indirect questions, "if" or "whether" must be added after the introductory phrase. | ||
Formula
Formula
Main clause
+
question word
+
subject
+
verb
+
object/complement
Can you tell me where you live?
Examples
Do you know where the library is?
Polite request · A2 · Subject before verb
Can you tell me what time the train leaves?
Polite enquiry · A2 · No 'does' in indirect question
I wonder why she didn't come to the party.
Wondering · A2 · Question word + statement order
Could you explain how this machine works?
Formal request · A2 · Subject before verb
Do you know who invented the telephone?
General knowledge question · A2 · No auxiliary at start
I'd like to know when you're available next week.
Professional context · A2 · Polite phrasing
When to use it
Polite requests for information
Use indirect questions to ask for information politely and formally. This is common in everyday situations.
"Could you tell me where the nearest café is?"
Expressing curiosity or wonder
Use 'I wonder' + indirect question when you want to express that you're thinking about something.
"I wonder why nobody called me yesterday."
Professional and formal contexts
Indirect questions sound more polite and formal than direct questions in business or official situations.
"I'd like to know when the meeting starts."
Embedded questions
Use indirect questions when you include a question inside another sentence or statement.
"The teacher asked what we learned in the previous lesson."
Signal words
Can you tell me
Do you know
I wonder
Could you explain
I'd like to know
I'm not sure
Could you tell me
I want to know
The teacher asked
He asked me
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
Can you tell me where do you live?
✓
Correct
Can you tell me where you live?
Indirect questions use statement word order. Remove 'do' and put subject before verb.
✕
Wrong
I wonder what time leaves the bus.
✓
Correct
I wonder what time the bus leaves.
Subject 'the bus' must come before the verb 'leaves' in indirect questions.
✕
Wrong
Do you know when will she arrive?
✓
Correct
Do you know when she will arrive?
Never use question word order in the indirect question. Subject comes before auxiliary verb.
✕
Wrong
Could you tell me how does this work?
✓
Correct
Could you tell me how this works?
Don't use 'does' in indirect questions. Use statement word order: subject + verb.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- Indirect questions are questions embedded inside a sentence to ask politely or formally.
- An indirect question follows a main clause like "I wonder," "Can you tell me," or "Do you know."
- Use statement word order in indirect questions, with the subject before the verb.
- Never use question word order in indirect questions, even with question words like "where" or "when."
- Example: "Where is the station?" becomes "Can you tell me where the station is?"