Indirect questions are when we use a question as a noun form in a sentence. This is called a noun clause.
- Do you know my age? (English = noun)
- Do you know how old I am? (how old I am = noun clause)
- Could you tell me your birthday? (your birthday = noun)
- Could you tell me when you were born? (when you were born = noun clause)
- Do you know the pharmacy’s location? (the pharmacy’s location = noun)
- Do you know where the pharmacy is? (where the pharmacy is = noun clause)
When we use noun clauses as indirect questions, this seems softer or more polite than directly asking for information.
- Where is the doctor? (DIRECT)
- Could you tell me where the doctor is? (INDIRECT)
- Is it nice at that clinic? (DIRECT)
- Do you know if it is nice at that clinic? (INDIRECT)
- Who is that nurse? (DIRECT)
- Do you happen to know who that nurse is? (INDIRECT)
When we use indirect questions, we use the same word order as the positive. There is no inversion in indirect questions.
- Victoria works in a hospital in Los Angeles. (positive)
- Do you know where Victoria works?
- It is 11:00 am. (positive)
- Do you know what time it is?
- She went to the doctor’s office. (positive)
- Do you know where she went?
- The weather will be bad tomorrow. (positive)
- Do you know how the weather will be tomorrow?
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