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Indirect questions INDIRECT CLOSED QUESTIONS

Indirect closed questions are formed using “if” or “whether.”
In this context, “if” and “whether” mean the same thing.
Indirect questions are more polite than direct questions. See also:
They are very common in formal spoken English, Present simple 1 Forming questions 34
particularly when asking for information. Types of verbs 49

INDIRECT OPEN QUESTIONS
Indirect questions often start with
a polite opening phrase. After the
question word, the word order in Polite opening phrase The subject comes before the verb.
indirect questions is the same as
in positive statements.

FURTHER EXAMPLES

Indirect questions start with an opening phrase. The verb comes after the subject.

FURTHER EXAMPLES HOW TO FORM

OPENING PHRASE “IF / WHETHER” SUBJECT VERB REST OF SENTENCE

Indirect questions leave out A polite opening
the auxiliary verb “do.” phrase comes first.

HOW TO FORM
COMMON MISTAKES WORD ORDER WITH INDIRECT QUESTIONS
OPENING PHRASE QUESTION WORD SUBJECT VERB
When a question has an
opening phrase, the word
order in indirect questions
is the same as in a statement.
There is no inversion, and
“do” is not added.
A polite opening phrase comes first.

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