Mastering Indirect Questions in English

Indirect Questions in English

Exercise 1

Rewrite the following questions indirectly:

1. Original: What have you been doing recently?
   Indirect: Would you mind telling me what you have been doing recently?
2. Original: Where can I get something cold to drink?
   Indirect: Does anybody know where I can get something cold to drink?
3. Original: What time are you coming to the party next week?
   Indirect: Could you tell me what time you are coming to the party next week?
4. Original: Why did you not do the homework?
   Indirect: Could you explain to me why you did not do the homework?
5. Original: Are you interested in playing tennis on Friday?
   Indirect: We'd like to know if you are interested in playing tennis on Friday.
6. Original: What does he do for a living?
   Indirect: I wonder what he does for a living.

Exercise 2

Transform the following direct questions into indirect ones:

1. Original: Where is the bus station?
   Indirect: Could you tell me where the bus station is?
2. Original: When do the shops close?
   Indirect: Would you let me know when the shops close?
3. Original: Why was the train late?
   Indirect: Do you know why the train was late?
4. Original: What is the matter?
   Indirect: Please tell me what the matter is.
5. Original: How long does it take?
   Indirect: I'd like to know how long it takes.
6. Original: How do I do this exercise?
   Indirect: Can you explain how I do this exercise?
7. Original: Can I have a pay rise?
   Indirect: Is there any chance I can have a pay rise?
8. Original: How did the film end?
   Indirect: I wonder if you could tell me how the film ended.
9. Original: How did he start the car?
   Indirect: Do you have any idea how he started the car?
10. Original: Could you turn the radio down?
    Indirect: I'd be grateful if you could turn the radio down.

Exercise 3

Convert the following direct questions into indirect ones:

1. Original: How did you do it?
   Indirect: Can you tell me how you did it?
2. Original: Who did you meet at the party?
   Indirect: I would like to know who you met at the party.
3. Original: How important is that meeting for the boss?
   Indirect: Do you know how important that meeting is for the boss?
4. Original: When is the last train to Valencia on Sundays?
   Indirect: Do you know when the last train to Valencia is on Sundays?
5. Original: How much do those shoes cost?
   Indirect: Could you tell me how much those shoes cost?
6. Original: What time does the theatre play start?
   Indirect: Do you know what time the theatre play starts?
7. Original: When are you going on holiday?
   Indirect: Do you know when you are going on holiday?
8. Original: What does mortgage mean?
   Indirect: Can you tell me what mortgage means?
9. Original: What do you like doing in your free time?
   Indirect: I would like to know what you like doing in your free time.
10. Original: Why did she cry?
    Indirect: I don't know why she cried.

Exercise 4

Convert the following indirect questions into direct ones:

1. Indirect: I'd be interested to know when Rhythm of the Dance started performing.
   Direct: When did Rhythm of the Dance start performing?
2. Indirect: Would you mind telling me why you call the show iD?
   Direct: Why do you call the show iD?
3. Indirect: I'd like to know if the Tap Dogs are planning to come here.
   Direct: Are the Tap Dogs planning to come here?