INDIRECT QUESTIONS
How to ask for things politely when
writing a formal letter
Normal question formation
Q) How do we normally form questions in English?
Q) Look at the statement below.
Q) How would you write it as a question?
Q) What about questions with “can” and “to be”?
Q) What happens to the word order?
Statement
Question
You like football.
Do You like football?
You can play the guitar.
Can you play the guitar?
Your name is Bob.
Is your name Bob?
Rule
Add the auxiliary verb
Word order changes.
Subject verb  Verb Subject
Which ones are indirect questions and which are
direct?
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Send me a brochure with more information
I was wondering if you could send me brochure with more information please.
Could you tell how to get to the airport from the hotel please?
How do I get to the airport from the hotel?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Are the classes private or in groups?
Which ones are indirect questions and which are
direct?
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Send me a brochure with more information
I was wondering if you could send me brochure with more information please.
Could you tell how to get to the airport from the hotel please?
How do I get to the airport from the hotel?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Are the classes private or in groups?
Which ones are indirect questions and which are
direct?
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Send me a brochure with more information
I was wondering if you could send me brochure with more information please.
Could you tell how to get to the airport from the hotel please?
How do I get to the airport from the hotel?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Are the classes private or in groups?
Which ones are indirect questions and which are
direct?
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Send me a brochure with more information
I was wondering if you could send me brochure with more information please.
Could you tell how to get to the airport from the hotel please?
How do I get to the airport from the hotel?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Are the classes private or in groups?
Which ones are indirect questions and which are
direct?
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Send me a brochure with more information
I was wondering if you could send me brochure with more information please.
Could you tell how to get to the airport from the hotel please?
How do I get to the airport from the hotel?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Are the classes private or in groups?
Look at the example of a question in direct, and indirect
form.
Q) What do you notice about the auxiliary verb?
A) Not for indirect questions!
How much does the ticket cost?
I would like to know how much the ticket costs.
Q) And the end of the sentence?
Q) Why is there no auxiliary verb or question
mark?
A) No question mark
A) It is not a question, it is a statement.
Look at the example of a question in direct, and indirect
form.
Q) What do you notice about the word order of both sentences?
A) With the indirect question, it is the same as a normal statement!
Are the classes private or in groups?
I would be interested to know whether the classes are private or in groups.
Subject Verb
SUMMARY OF RULES
Check if the sentence needs a question mark! Is it a question or a statement
No auxiliary verb “do” / “does”
Check the word order! It must be in statement form - Subject Verb
Practice
Q) Write the following as indirect questions. Use the phrases to help you.
Could you indicate . . .
Could you tell me . . .
I would like to know . . .
I would be pleased to receive . . .
I would be interested to know . . .
Would you mind telling me . . . .
How much does the ticket cost?
When is the concert?
Can I bring my pet dog?
What is the address of the hotel?
Do I have to book in advance?
Check if the sentence needs a question mark. Is it a question or a statement?
No auxiliary verb “do” / “does”
Check the word order! It must be in statement form - Subject Verb