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Grammar Exercise: Indirect questions at work

We use indirect questions to be more polite in formal situations such as in
work or professional situations. Take a look at our page on Direct and Indirect
Questions in English, then try the quiz below!
Direct questions yes / no questions in English.
1. He likes swimming.
2. He can swim long distances.
3. He is a good swimmer.
To make sentence 1 into a question, you need to add does. The does goes
before he.
Does is only used if the subject is he, she or it in all other cases, use do.
The verb like goes after the subject, but it doesn't have an 's' on the end.
Remember: after auxiliary verbs (like do, does, have, can, etc.) the verb is in
the infinitive, without 'to'.
"Does he like swimming?" Not "Does he likes swimming?" or "Do he like
swimming?"
If the sentence is in the past tense (he liked swimming), we use the past form of
'do' or 'does', which is did. The verb 'like' is still in the infinitive without 'to'.
For example, "Did he like swimming?" Not "Did he liked swimming?"
To make sentence 2 into a question, you don't need to use 'does' because you
already have an auxiliary verb can. So you put the can before he.
"Can he swim long distances?" Not "Can swim he long distances?" or "Does he
can swim long distances?"
To make sentence 3 into a question, use is as the auxiliary.
"Is he a good swimmer?" Not "Does he is a good swimmer?" or "Does he be a
good swimmer?"

Direct questions "wh" questions

What is your name?
Why do you want this job?
How much do you earn?
How soon can you start?
When did you see the advertisement?
Where do you live?
Which newspaper did you see the advertisement in?
Who gave you my name?
After the "wh word" (what, why, how, when, etc) comes the auxiliary
(do, does, did or can), then the subject (you) , then the rest of the question.
Note: if 'who', 'which' or 'what' are the subject of the question, you don't need an
auxiliary.
For example, "What happened?" Not "What did happen?" The thing that
happened is what the subject of the question.
"Who saw you?" Someone saw you who was it?
Compare with "Who did you see?" You saw someone who was it?)
"Which company made a profit?" A company made a profit which company
was it?
Compare with "Which company did you work for?" You worked for a company
which one was it?

Indirect questions in English

If you want to be more polite (for example in a formal situation) or to ask a
question that is quite sensitive, try using one of these indirect phrases before
your question:
Can you tell me
Could you tell me
I'd be interested to hear
I'd like to know
Would you mind telling me
Do you know
Have you any idea
I wonder / I was wondering

These questions are followed by a "wh word" or if. Then you add the subject,
then the rest of the question. The word order is the same as an affirmative
sentence. You don't need an 'auxiliary', such as 'do', 'does' or 'did'.
For example:
"Can you tell me where the bus station is, please?" (Indirect question: where
+ noun + verb)
"Where is the bus station, please?" (Direct question: where + verb + subject)
"I'd like to know how long the journey takes." (Indirect question: how long +
noun + verb)
"How long does the journey take?" (Direct question: how long + auxiliary does
+ subject + verb)
"Can you tell me what you like most about your present job?" Not "Can you tell
me what do you like?"
If the direct question is a "yes/no" question (such as "Have you applied for a
similar job before?") the indirect question includes "if" or "whether".
For example:
"Would you mind telling me if you have applied for a similar position before?"
"I'd like to know whether you can work on Saturdays." (Direct question: "Can
you work on Saturdays?")
You can also follow an indirect question phrase with about:
"I'd be interested to hear about your experiences."
"Can you tell us about your background?"
Now try this quiz on Indirect questions at work!
1. Can you tell me

where is the bathroom?

where the bathroom is?

2. Would you mind telling me how long __

is the lunch break?

the lunch break is?

3. Do you know __ the Managing Director is in today?

if

that

4. I'd like to know __ you want me to work on Saturday.

do

if

5. Could you tell me how __

the photocopier works?

does work the photocopier?

6. Have you any idea how

does work this program?

this program works?

7. I'd like to know how much __

does cost lunch in the canteen.

lunch in the canteen costs.

8. I was wondering if __ leave early today.

could I

I could

9. Do you know __

on which floor I can find the Sales Manager?

which floor I can find the Sales Manager on?

10. Can you tell me __

about who they're talking?

who they're talking about?