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?

Indirect questions in English word order If we do not begin a question directly, but begin it with something like: Can you tell me...? Do you know...? I wonder if...? the word order is the same as in an affirmative statement. Direct question: What is he doing? Indirect question: Do you know what he is doing? Direct question: Where have they been? Indirect question: I wonder where they have been?

do, does, did If the direct question contains do, does or did, we omit it in the indirect question. Direct question: What do you want? Indirect question: Can you tell me what you

yes/no questions In yes / no questions, we use if or whether Direct question: Have you seen my dog? Indirect question: Could you tell me if you have seen my dog

If you want to ask a question that is quite sensitive, try using one of the indirect phrases below I wonder if/whether...? - I can't remember if/whether...? - Could you tell me if/whether...? - Would you mind telling me if/whether...? - Would it be possible for you to...? - Is there any chance you could...? - I don't suppose you could... - I'd like to know if/whether... - I can't remember Can you tell me … Could you tell me … I'd be interested to hear … I'd like to know … Would you mind telling me

a.Negative tag questions Negative tag questions have already been discussed. An affirmative statement is often followed by a negative tag question, in order to ask for confirmation of the affirmative statement. In the following examples, the negative tag questions are underlined. Contractions are usually used in negative tag questions. e.g. You are coming with me, aren't you? You like coffee, don't you? she is my team, ________? They live together, _________?

For the Simple Present and the Simple Past of the verb to be, tag questions are formed using the verb itself. For instance, in the following examples, the verbs is and were are used in negative tag questions. e.g. She is very nice, isn't she? They were ready on time, weren't they He was in English class,_______? We were at the movies yesterday, _______?

For the Simple Present and the Simple Past of verbs other than the verb to be, the auxiliary to do is used in tag questions. For instance, in the following examples, the auxiliaries does and did are used in negative tag questions. e.g. He rides a bicycle, doesn't he? They ordered pizza, didn't they? I am your friend, ______? You fail last partial, ______?

For all other tenses and conjugations, the first auxiliary is used in tag questions. For instance, in the following examples, the first auxiliaries have, would, should and can are used in negative tag questions. e.g. You have worked all night, haven't you? He would have helped us, wouldn't he? They should get more exercise, shouldn't they? She can speak five languages, can't she? She has been to England, _______? You could come tomorrow, ________? We can win this match,___________?

b. Affirmative tag questions A negative statement is often followed by an affirmative tag question, in order to ask for confirmation of the negative statement, or in order to ask for more information. In the following examples, the affirmative tag questions are underlined. e.g. He is not very tall, is he? They don't want to work, do they? You are not in my class, ______? She does not study at the UVM, ______?

The rules for forming affirmative tag questions are similar to those for forming negative tag questions. In the case of the Simple Present and Simple Past of the verb to be, the verb itself is used; and in the case of all other tenses and conjugations, the first auxiliary is used. e.g. He wasn't much help, was he? They didn't want to come with us, did they? You hadn't slept well, had you? She can't speak Greek, can she? They wouldn't mind helping us, would they? He didn`t speak french,__________? You can`t come to class on sunday,_______?