Indirect Questions

Indirect questions (also called embedded questions) are a polite way to ask for information. Instead of asking directly — "Where is the bank?" — you wrap the question inside an introductory phrase: "Can you tell me where the bank is?"

Converting a direct question to an indirect question requires 2 changes and follows 1 rule:

The formula:

Introductory phrase + wh-word / if / whether + subject + verb

This one rule — statement word order — applies to every indirect question, at every level.

Note: Don't confuse indirect questions (polite present-tense questions) with reported questions, which retell a past question and require tense shifts. See the comparison in the Advanced section below.

Wh- Indirect Questions

Start with wh-questions. The conversion is straightforward: keep the wh-word, then switch to statement word order.

Direct → Indirect: The Word Order Change

Common Introductory Phrases

⚠️ The Word Order Trap

This is the most common mistake with indirect questions. Learners keep the inverted question word order instead of switching to statement order:

The key: After the introductory phrase + wh-word, the sentence follows the same order as a statement: subject first, then verb. Think of it as: the wh-word replaces the information, and the rest is a normal sentence.

Removing Do/Does/Did

When you convert a direct question, you must remove do/does/did and adjust the verb:

⚠️ Don't forget the verb inflection! When you remove "does", the -s must go back onto the verb. When you remove "did", the verb must change to its past tense form:

• Do you know what this word mean? ❌ → …what this word means? ✅
• I want to know where you buy that dress. ❌ → …where you bought that dress. ✅

Subject Questions Stay the Same

When the wh-word is the subject of the question, the word order is already statement order — so nothing changes:

Why? In subject questions, the wh-word IS the subject, so it's already before the verb. No rearrangement needed. For more on subject vs object questions, see Wh- Questions.

👉 Practice Wh- Indirect Questions →

If/Whether for Yes/No Questions

Direct yes/no questions don't have a wh-word. To convert them to indirect questions, add if or whether:

Introductory phrase + if / whether + subject + verb

If vs Whether

Both if and whether work in most situations. The differences are subtle:

In practice: For most indirect questions, both are interchangeable. Use whether in formal writing or when you want to emphasise the two possibilities.

More Introductory Phrases

At B1 level, you can use a wider range of phrases. All of them follow the same rule — statement word order after the phrase:

Negative Indirect Questions

When the original question contains a negative, keep the negative with the auxiliary in statement order:

👉 Practice If/Whether & Mixed Indirect Questions →

Advanced Structures & Common Traps

Complex Verb Forms

The statement word order rule works the same way with complex verb forms — the subject always comes before all auxiliaries:

The pattern is always the same: move the subject to before the first auxiliary. Everything else stays in order.

Punctuation: Question Mark or Period?

The punctuation depends on the outer clause — is the whole sentence a question or a statement?

Simple test: Does the sentence start with a question (Do you…? Can you…? Could you…?)? Use ?. Does it start with a statement (I wonder, I have no idea, Nobody knows)? Use . — even though it contains a question inside.

Indirect Questions vs Reported Questions

This is a common source of confusion. Both use statement word order, but they serve different purposes and follow different tense rules:

Quick test: Is the reporting/introductory verb in the present tense? → Indirect question (no tense shift). Is it in the past tense? → Likely a reported question (tense shift applies).

👉 Practice Advanced Indirect Questions →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Quick Summary

5-Step Conversion: Direct Question → Indirect Question

1. Choose an introductory phrase — Can you tell me, Do you know, I wonder, I'd like to know…
2. Identify the question type — Wh-question? Keep the wh-word. Yes/no question? Add if or whether.
3. Switch to statement word order — Move the subject before the verb.
4. Remove do/does/did — And adjust the verb: does she work → she works / did you buy → you bought.
5. Choose punctuation — Outer clause is a question → ? / Outer clause is a statement → .

Introductory Phrases at a Glance

If/Whether Quick Guide

Practice Tips

1. Start with the introductory phrase, then pause. Before completing the sentence, remind yourself: "statement word order." This simple habit prevents the #1 mistake.
2. Practise the do/does/did removal in pairs. Take any direct question with do/does/did and convert it: "Where does she live?" → "Do you know where she lives?" Focus on putting the inflection back on the verb.
3. Use the punctuation test every time. Ask: "Is my outer clause a question?" If yes → question mark. If no → period. This eliminates punctuation errors instantly.
4. Don't confuse politeness with reporting. If you're asking someone NOW → indirect question (no tense shift). If you're telling someone what was asked BEFORE → reported question (tense shift). The verb tense of the introductory phrase tells you which one you're using.

Practice All Exercises

Ready to practise indirect questions online with answers? These indirect questions exercises cover converting direct questions to indirect questions, using if/whether for yes/no embedded questions, choosing the correct word order, and handling advanced structures with modals and perfect tenses — from A2 to B2. Each question includes detailed explanations. Printable PDF worksheets are also available:

Now try the exercises to practice what you've learned!