How to Form Indirect Questions in Polite English – With Examples

📘 Introduction

In daily conversations, especially in formal or polite situations, we often need to ask questions indirectly. Indirect questions are more respectful, softer, and less direct than regular questions.

Instead of asking:

“Where is the bathroom?”
We might say:
“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”

This post will teach you how to form indirect questions in English, when to use them, and common mistakes to avoid.

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🔹 What Is an Indirect Question?

An indirect question is a question that is embedded inside another sentence. It doesn’t follow the normal word order of direct questions and often begins with a polite phrase like:

• Can you tell me…
• Do you know…
• I wonder…
• Would you mind telling me…

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🔧 Structure of Indirect Questions

Direct Question:

What time is it?

Indirect Question:

Can you tell me what time it is?

✅ Notice:

• The subject comes before the verb in indirect questions.
• There’s no question mark in embedded questions (unless the full sentence is a question).
• We do not use “do/does/did” in indirect questions.

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📑 Examples of Indirect Questions

Direct Question	Indirect Question
Where does she live?	Do you know where she lives?
What is your name?	Could you tell me what your name is?
When did he arrive?	I wonder when he arrived.
Is this the right address?	Can you tell me if this is the right address?
Does he like coffee?	I’d like to know whether he likes coffee or not.

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🎯 Common Introductory Phrases

Use these polite starters to form indirect questions:

• Can you tell me…
• Do you know…
• Would you mind telling me…
• I was wondering…
• Could you let me know…
• I’d like to know…
• Would it be possible to ask…

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🔄 Yes/No vs WH-Questions

✅ 1. WH-Questions

Use the question word, then subject + verb order.

Direct: What does this word mean?
Indirect: Can you tell me what this word means?

✅ 2. Yes/No Questions

Use if or whether, then subject + verb.

Direct: Is he married?
Indirect: Do you know if he is married?

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. ❌ Keeping direct word order:
• Wrong: Can you tell me what time is it?
• ✅ Right: Can you tell me what time it is?
2. ❌ Using “do/does/did” in indirect questions:
• Wrong: Do you know where does she live?
• ✅ Right: Do you know where she lives?
3. ❌ Forgetting to change the question format:
• Wrong: I wonder where is the post office.
• ✅ Right: I wonder where the post office is.

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📝 Practice Activity

Convert these direct questions into polite indirect questions:

1. What time does the train leave?
2. Where is the nearest hospital?
3. Did she attend the meeting?
4. Is this seat taken?

Answers:

1. Can you tell me what time the train leaves?
2. Could you let me know where the nearest hospital is?
3. Do you know if she attended the meeting?
4. I wonder if this seat is taken.

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🏁 Conclusion

Using indirect questions is a great way to sound more polite and professional in English. They're essential in emails, customer service, interviews, and formal situations.

✅ Remember:

• Use subject + verb word order
• Remove do/does/did
• Use if/whether for yes/no questions
• Begin with a polite phrase