Convert Direct Questions into Indirect Questions

Converting Direct Questions into Indirect Questions

Converting direct questions into indirect questions is a common practice in English communication. It involves changing the form of a question to make it more polite or formal. Let's take a look at some direct questions and how they can be converted into indirect questions.

Did Diana go out last night?

Indirect question: Do you know if Diana went out last night?

Where did Augusto meet with his brother?

Indirect question: Can you tell me where Augusto met with his brother?

How was the movie?

Indirect question: Can you tell me how the movie was?

What was the problem?

Indirect question: Do you know what the problem was?

Why was Teresa so early?

Indirect question: Do you know why Teresa was so early?

Where do you live?

Indirect question: Can you tell me where you live?

When is your birthday?

Indirect question: Can you tell me when your birthday is?

Who is she?

Indirect question: Do you know who she is?

Explanation

In English, indirect questions typically start with an introductory phrase such as "Do you know" or "Can you tell me." These phrases are used to make the question more polite and less direct. When converting a direct question into an indirect question, certain changes need to be made to the structure of the sentence depending on the presence of question words or auxiliary verbs.

If the original question has a question word (who, what, where, when, etc.), an introductory phrase is added and the verb form is adjusted accordingly. If there is no question word in the original question and it starts with an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb is removed and "if" is added.

Convierta las siguientes preguntas directas en indirectas. Did Diana go out last night? Where did Augusto meet with his brother? How was the movie? What was the problem? Why was Teresa so early? Where do you live? When is your birthday? Who is she?

1. Do you know if Diana went out last night? 2. Can you tell me where Augusto met with his brother? 3. Can you tell me how the movie was? 4. Do you know what the problem was? 5. Do you know why Teresa was so early? 6. Can you tell me where you live? 7. Can you tell me when your birthday is? 8. Do you know who she is?