True or False
We use indirect questions to sound more polite, or less blunt.
TRUE
How many Channels are there?
NO IF
Can you tell me, how many channels there are?
Do you know...
What is it about?
Do you know what it is about?
Could you explain why the TV isn't working?
Why isn't the TV working?
Do you know if there’s a documentary on tonight?
CORRECT
When it's a yes/no question, we remove the auxiliary verb and don't add anything.
FALSE
We add "IF"
Is there a game on tonight?
ADD IF
I wonder if there is a game on tonight.
Do you know...
What should we watch?
Do you know what we should watch?
Do you know what this soap opera is about?
What is this soap opera about?
Do you know what Yuji’s favorite TV program is?
CORRECT
When it's an open answer question, we remove the auxiliary verb and add "if".
FALSE
We don't add "if".
Where is the remote control?
NO IF
Could you tell me where the remote is?
Could you tell me...
What are they going to watch?
Could you tell me what they are going to watch?
Do you know if Mike is going to win the reality show challenge?
Is Mike going to win the reality show challenge?
I wonder reality shows are popular.
INCORRECT
I wonder if reality shows are popular.
In an indirect question, the verb comes after the subject.
TRUE
Who cleaned the classroom yesterday?
NO IF
I wonder who cleaned the classroom yesterday.
Do you know...
What kind of show is it?
Do you know what kind of show it is?
Could you tell me who wrote that soap opera script?
Who wrote that soap opera script?
Do you know this show is almost over?
INCORRECT
Do you know if this show is almost over?
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
Was your brother here a few minutes ago?
ADD IF
Could you tell IF your brother was here a few minutes ago?
Could you tell me...
Who was he?
Could you tell me who she was?
What do you think they are going to watch tonight?
What are they going to watch tonight?
Where do you think documentary was filmed?
INCORRECT
Where do you think that documentary was filmed?