Common Phrases and Structures for Indirect Questions
This page delves deeper into the structure of indirect questions and provides a list of common phrases used to introduce them. Understanding these elements is crucial for mastering pytania pośrednie i bezpośrednie angielski (indirect and direct questions in English).
For wh-questions (questions starting with what, who, how, where, when), the question word is retained in the indirect form, but the word order changes to that of a statement
Example
Direct Where is the nearest post office?
Indirect Can you tell me where the nearest post office is?
Notice how "is" moves to the end of the clause in the indirect question.
Highlight In indirect questions, the auxiliary verb (is, are, do, does, etc.) comes after the subject, not before it as in direct questions.
The page provides a comprehensive list of phrases commonly used to introduce indirect questions
- Are you sure
- Can anyone tell me
- Could you tell me
- Do you (happen to) know
- Do you remember
- Do you think
- Have you any idea
- I don't know
- I don't remember
- I want to know
- I wonder
- I'd like to know
- I've no idea
- Would you mind telling me
Vocabulary These introductory phrases are called "question tags" or "question frames" and are essential for forming polite indirect questions.
An important note on punctuation When starting an indirect question with phrases like "I wonder," "I don't know," "I'd like to know," "I want to know," "I've no idea," or "I don't remember," use a period at the end of the sentence instead of a question mark
Example I wonder what time he's coming.
This punctuation rule is a key aspect of pytania pośrednie angielski ćwiczenia pdf (indirect questions English exercises PDF) materials, as it's a common area of confusion for learners.
By practicing these structures and phrases, students can improve their ability to form polite and natural-sounding questions in English, enhancing their overall communication skills.