ASKING QUESTIONS indirect ways
INDIRECT QUESTIONS When do I use them? INDIRECT QUESTIONS. Direct questions are often considered rude when speaking to strangers. To be more polite we often use INDIRECT QUESTIONS. Indirect questions are considered more formal.
INDIRECT QUESTIONS Examples (I) Direct question: how much do you earn? Indirect question: Could you tell me how much you earn? Introductory sentence + wh-/if + positive/negative sentence Could you tell me how much you earn?
INDIRECT QUESTIONS Examples (II) Direct question: What is your worst habit? Indirect question: May I ask you what your worst habit is? Introductory sentence + wh-/if + positive/negative sentence May I ask you what your worst habit is?
INDIRECT QUESTIONS Examples (III) Direct question: does he like parties? Indirect question: may I ask you if he likes parties? Introductory sentence + wh-/if + positive/negative sentence May I ask you if/whether he likes partying?
INDIRECT QUESTIONS Most common phrases Do you know … ? Can/Could you tell me … ? Can I ask...? May I ask you...? Do you happen to know...? I wonder / was wondering if you could tell me… I wonder if you would mind telling me... Would you mind telling me...? I’d be interested to know … I'd like to know...