Indirect Questions :Indirect Questions How do you make indirect questions? When do you use this grammar?


Indirect Questions . . . :Indirect Questions . . . . . . have the same function as regular questions, but the grammar is a little different. Here are some examples:


Examples . . . :Examples . . . Regular Question: What will the weather be like tomorrow? Why were you absent yesterday? Where is the bookstore? Indirect Question: I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow? Can you tell me why you were absent yesterday? Do you know where the bookstore is?


Structure: :Structure: This grammar starts with an introductory clause. This is a main clause. It can be a sentence or a question. Can you tell me...? I wonder... Do you know...? Do you have any idea...? I need to know... Tell me...


Slide 5:Main clause: I’d like to know… Tell me… I need to know… I wonder… Do you know…? Can you tell me…? Do you have any idea…? Dependent clause: Wh- questions: …WHEN the bus arrives. …WHERE Susan is. …HOW much the book costs. Yes/No questions: …IF we have a test today? …WHETHER Susan is sick? …IF it’s going to rain? +


Slide 6:Indirect WH- questions have a dependent clause that begins with a WH- word: who, what, when, where, why, how Can you tell me who won the game? I’d like to know when she left. Indirect Yes/No questions have a dependent clause that begins with: if, whether *whether = more formal Can you tell me whether the Chargers won? I’d like to know if she passed the test.


Slide 7:USE: You can use an indirect question any time you use a regular question. Indirect questions are often more polite because they have a polite introductory clause: Could you tell me…? Do you know…?


Practice! :Practice! On your own paper, rewrite each regular question as an indirect question. Then give your paper to your teacher to correct. 1. Where is the restroom? (use: “Do you know…?”) 2. Where did Janet go? (use: “Can you tell me…?”) 3. When is our winter break? (use: “Do you have any idea…?”) 4. Why did she leave? (use: “I’d like to know…”) 5. Who is the Dean of ECC? (use: “I wonder…”)


Slide 9:Indirect yes/no questions (if or whether) 6. Is the teacher sick today? (use: “Do you know…?”) 7. Does ECC have a library? (use: “Can you tell me…?”) 8. Did Paul leave class early? (use: “Do you know…?”) 9. Does Janet have a cell phone? (use: “I wonder…”) 10.Do your kids speak English well? (use: “Tell me…”)


Grammar Tips: :Grammar Tips: Remember: we only use DO, DOES, and DID in Questions and negatives. When you are writing the dependent clause in an Indirect Question, do NOT use Do, Does, or Did. Examples: regular question: Where did the teacher go? indirect question: Do you know WHERE did the teacher go? Do you know WHERE the teacher went? Note: After the WH- word, IF, or WHETHER . . . Use a sentence, NOT a question. correct =>


Slide 11:This grammar can be tough…. So be sure to ask your teacher or other classmates for help if you need it. Remember: practice makes perfect! So review your notes and your textbook!