In this reference, you’ll learn how to form reported questions in English, covering essential grammar rules and offering useful example sentences. The main sections include how to report Wh and yes/no questions, notes for reported questions, and useful rules and examples.
You’ll explore the details of both yes/no questions and question words (Wh- questions) in reported speech. This reference will provide you with notes and examples to better grasp the rules of reported speech questions.
When changing a question from direct speech to indirect speech, use verbs like inquire, wonder, want to know, and ask. Only ask can take an indirect object.
Examples:
You introduce the reported question with a different word and change the word order to that of a statement. End the sentence with a full stop.
To report yes/no questions, use if or whether.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Did you receive my e-mail?” | The teacher asked me if I had received his e-mail. |
| The teacher asked me whether I had received his e-mail. |
Use whether for choices.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Is it John’s phone or Richard’s?” | I asked whether it was John’s phone or Richard’s. |
Report Wh- questions by using the question word.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Where did he stay?” | She asked me where he had stayed. |
| “When will you go back to London?” | She asked when he would go back to London. |
Mention the person being asked.
When reporting questions, the tense of the verb changes. The word order follows an affirmative sentence, and there is no auxiliary verb. Do not use question marks except in cases like:
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