An indirect question is a question inside a polite opener, like Could you tell me... or Do you know.... Americans use them all the time with strangers, coworkers and customer service because they sound softer than a direct question. The trick is word order: after the opener, the question turns back into a normal statement.
The pattern
Could you tell me where the elevator is?
Do you know if the pharmacy is open?
I was wondering when the next bus leaves.
01Polite openers
Start with an opener. Some openers are questions, so the whole sentence ends with a question mark: Could you tell me...?, Can you tell me...?, Do you know...?, Do you have any idea...?
Others are statements, so the sentence ends with a period: I was wondering..., I'd like to know..., I'm not sure..., I don't know...
- Can you tell me how much this lamp costs?
- Do you have any idea when the package will arrive?
- I'm not sure where I parked.
02Statement word order
In a direct question, the verb comes before the subject: Where is the station? In an indirect question, the subject comes first, just like in a normal sentence: Could you tell me where the station is? Helper verbs like will, can and has also move after the subject.
| Direct question | Indirect question |
|---|---|
| Where is the restroom? | Could you tell me where the restroom is? |
| When will the results be ready? | Do you know when the results will be ready? |
| How long has she worked here? | Do you know how long she has worked here? |
| Why was the flight canceled? | I'd like to know why the flight was canceled. |
03No do, does or did
Direct questions in the present simple and past simple need do, does or did. Indirect questions drop them, and the main verb carries the tense: add -s for he, she or it, and use the past form for the past.
If the question word is the subject (Who called? What happened?), the direct question has no do anyway, so nothing changes: Do you know who called?
| Direct question | Indirect question |
|---|---|
| What time does the class start? | Do you know what time the class starts? |
| Where did you buy that jacket? | Can I ask where you bought that jacket? |
| How much do the tickets cost? | Could you tell me how much the tickets cost? |
04Yes/no questions: if or whether
When the direct question has no question word (Is it open? Did he call?), add if or whether. They mean the same thing here, and if is more common in speech. Use whether right before or not and before an infinitive: whether to call.
- Do you know if the gym is open on Sunday?
- Could you tell me whether this bus goes downtown?
- I was wondering if you're free for lunch.
- I can't decide whether or not to take the job.
05Common mistakes
Could you tell me where is the bank?
Could you tell me where the bank is?
After the opener, use statement order: subject, then verb.
Do you know what time does the movie start?
Do you know what time the movie starts?
Drop does and put the -s on the main verb.
Can you tell me is this seat taken?
Can you tell me if this seat is taken?
A yes/no question needs if or whether, then statement order.
Do you know where did she go?
Do you know where she went?
Drop did and use the past form of the verb.