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Indirect question Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( Indirect question phrase + question word / if / whether + subject + verb )

In English, in more formal situations, we often use indirect questions because they sound more polite.

To make a question more polite we often begin with an indirect question phrase such as:

  • Could you tell me...?
  • Do you know...?
  • Have you any idea...?
  • Can you tell me...?


Example questions :

DIRECT QUESTION : Where is the post office?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Do you know where the post office is?

DIRECT QUESTION : What's the time?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Could you tell me what the time is?

DIRECT QUESTION : Does this train go to Brighton?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Can you tell me if this train goes to Brighton?

DIRECT QUESTION : Is there a bank nearby?

INDIRECT QUESTION : Have you any idea whether there is a bank nearby?


Note for use of indirect questions :

If the direct question begins with an auxiliary verb ( no question word), add 'if' or 'whether' after an indirect question phrase to make the question indirect.

We don't use 'if' or whether with Do you think...?

eg. Do you think he's gone to London? NOT Do you think if he's gone to London?

Indirect question example sentences
Don't you think it's better to live upstairs?ألا تعتقد انه من الأفضل ان تعيش فى الاعلى؟
Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry?ألا تعتق انك أصبحت غاضباً للغاية؟
Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too?مهلًا، ألا تعتقد أن ديجو قد يود الإنضمام لنا، كذلك؟
Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then?ومن يريد؟ هل يمكنكِ إخباري أين تريدين أن تعيشي إذًا؟
Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then?أجل، لقد نسيت، متى تعتقد أنه يمكننا المقابلة، إذًا؟
Do you know where the kitchen is?هل تعلمين أين المطبخ؟
How long do you think it's going to take to be ready?ماهى المدة التى سيستغرقها ليكون جاهزاً فى إعتقادك؟
Do you know what colour the packet is?هل تعلمين ماهو لون العبوة؟
Do you know what time it is?هل تعلمين ماهو الوقت الان؟
Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please?هل يمكنك أن تفسر لي لماذا يجب علي أن أدفع 30 يورو إضافية كل اسبوع؟
But why do you think we should leave the house?لكن لماذا تعتقدين أنه يجب علينا مغادرة المنزل؟
Don't you think he is a nice guy?ألا تعتقدى انه رجل لطيف؟
Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now?هل لديكِ خطة عما ستفعلينه الآن؟
Do you think we should make a reservation?هل تعتقدي أنه يجب علينا القيام بالحجز؟
Do you think we should buy it?هل تعتقد انه يجب علينا شراءه؟
Do you think we should buy the return tickets now?هل تعتقد انه يجب علينا شراء تذاكر العودة الان؟
When do you think we can have the meeting?متى تعتقدى انه يمكننا عمل الإجتماع؟
Do you think we should pay for it?هل تعتقد انه يجب علينا ان ندفع مقابل ذلك؟
Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please?هل يمكنك أن تخبرني، يانيك، كم يدفعون، من فضلك؟
Do you think she is good?هل تعتقدى أنها جيدة؟

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Be going to
Be going to passive
Be used to / Get used to
Comparative
Defining relative clause
Echo tag
Expression
First conditional
Future
Future continuous
Future perfect continuous
Future perfect passive
Future perfect simple
Future simple passive
Greeting
Have/Get something done
Imperative
Implied conditional
Indirect question
Infinitive of purpose
Interjection
Mixed conditional
Modal
Modal passive
Non-defining relative clause
Other
Past continuous
Past continuous passive
Past perfect continuous
Past perfect passive
Past perfect simple
Past simple
Past simple passive
Polite request / offer / suggestion
Present continuous
Present continuous passive
Present perfect continuous
Present perfect passive
Present perfect simple
Present simple
Present simple passive
Question tag
Reduced relative clause
Reported speech imperative
Reported speech question
Reported speech request
Reported speech statement
Second conditional
Short answer
Superlative
Third conditional
Used to / would (past habit)
Was/were going to
Was/were supposed to
Wish
Would rather
Zero conditional