Indirect questions

Question word questions

Present tense - verb to be

Direct What is your name?

Indirect Could you tell me what your name is?

Present tense - other verbs

Direct Where do you live?
Indirect Could you tell me where you live?

Past tense - verb to be

Direct Where were they?

Indirect Could you tell me where they were?

Past tense - other verbs

Direct When did you lose it?

Indirect Could you tell me when you lost it?

yes/no questions

Verb to be
Direct Is it possible to go by train?

Indirect Could you tell me if / whether it's possible to go by

train?

Other verbs
Direct Do you live in Kowloon?

Indirect Could you tell me if / whether you live in Kowloon?

Direct Have you been to Japan?

Indirect Could you tell me if / whether you have been to Japan?

Indirect statement questions

It is also possible to make indirect questions with statements beginning: I'd like to know and
I was wandering The rules are the same but there is no question mark at the end.

I'd like to know if it is possible to go by train.

I was wondering when you lost it.
Yes/no questions with Would you say and Do you think
These yes/no questions have a slightly different form. There is no if or whether. They are often
used to ask for opinions.

Do you think people today have a good quality of life?

Would you say you enjoy your life?