Indirect Questions

TRUE OR FALSE?

100

SOCIOLINGUISTIC:

We use indirect questions to sound more polite, or less blunt.

TRUE.

200

STRUCTURE-WISE

When it's a yes/no question, we remove the auxiliary verb and don't add anything.

FALSE.

We add "if"

300

When it's an open answer question, we remove the auxiliary verb and add "if"

FALSE

We don't add "if".

400

In an indirect question, the verb comes after the subject.

TRUE

500

Even though we remove the auxiliary verb and the verb is placed after the subject, we still keep the question mark in indirect questions.

IT DEPENDS!

VERB TENSE?

100

D: Is Moriarty a criminal?

I: Can you tell me if Moriarty is a criminal?

simple present

200

D: Why was Sherlock so afraid of Irene Adler?

I: Can you tell me why Sherlock was so afraid of Irene Adler?

simple past

300

D: Why haven't you read my paper yet, dear Watson?

I: Dear Watson, could you, please, enlighten me as to why you haven't yet read my paper?

present perfect

400

D: Why are you still insisting that I read your paper?

I: I wonder why you are still insisting that I read your paper.

present continuous

500

D: How long has Watson worked in this laboratory?

I: I would like to know how long Watson has worked in this laboratory.

Present perfect 

VERB TENSE?

100

D: What time will Sherlock meet Watson?

I: Can you tell me what time Sherlock will meet Watson?

future simple

200

D: Is Sherlock going to tell Lestrade what he believes?

I: I wonder if Sherlock is going to tell Lestrade what he believes...

Future with "going to"

300

D: Did you do the homework??

I: Can you tell me if you did the homework? 

Simple past

400

D: Was Morty playing videogames last night?

I: I wonder if Morty was playing videogames last night.

Past continuous

500

D: Do you like to go to the beach?

I: Can you tell me if you like to go to the beach?

Simple present

DIRECT TO INDIRECT

100

is she unhappy?

Can you tell me if she is unhappy?

200

When is the restaurant closing?

Can you tell me when the restaurant is closing?

300

Why was he late for the meeting?

Can you tell me why he was late for the meeting?

400

What were you doing at 3pm?

Can you tell me what you were doing at 3pm?

500

Are you ok?

I was wondering if you are ok.

DIRECT TO INDIRECT

100

Why did he go to the store?

Do you know why he went to the store?  

200

Is she pregnant?

Do you know if he is pregnant?

300

Where does she live?

I wonder where she lives.

400

will you buy sushi?

Can you tell me if you will buy sushi?

500

When have they been to California?

Do you know when they have been to California?