B2 grammar

Indirect Questions: Simple Patterns

Ask polite questions with two easy patterns.

Created by , British English teacher.

1. Two useful patterns

Start with Could you tell me…? or Do you know…? Then put the person or thing before the verb.

Question word: opening + where / when / what / why / how + subject + verb.

Where is the station?
Could you tell me where the station is?

Yes/no question: opening + if + subject + verb.

Is the shop open?
Do you know if the shop is open?

You can also use whether instead of if in these questions.

With do / does / did, change the question back to normal sentence order:

  • When does it start? → Do you know when it starts?
  • Where did she go? → Do you know where she went?

Keep the same time: a polite opening does not change the tense.

The polite opening does not move the event into another time

A present questionWhen does it start?

Do you know when it starts?

A past questionWhere did she go?

Do you know where she went?

In these simple-tense questions, remove the question helper does or did and put the tense on the main verb. Use subject + verb order after the question word. The event stays present or past.
Subtly painted realistic illustration on white: Retain the adult Black woman asking for directions and the female receptionist pointing the way. Keep the folded map in the visitor's hands and only a small elegant reception-counter fragment. The helpful pointing gesture conveys the question about the station. Remove the computer, pens, bell, picture, plants and all lobby scenery. Both adult women's formal outfits stay as in the existing scene.
Could you tell me where the station is?Where the station is uses statement order after the polite opening.

2. Listen and repeat

Play each question and repeat it.

Could you tell me when the workshop starts?

Do you know whether registration closes today?

Your turn: Ask where the station is. Start with “Could you tell me…?”

3. Make the question

Start every answer with Do you know…?

  1. Where is the bank?
  2. When does the class start?
  3. Is the café open?
  4. Where did Anna go?
Show answers
  1. Do you know where the bank is?
  2. Do you know when the class starts?
  3. Do you know if the café is open?
  4. Do you know where Anna went?

Use the bank is, the class starts and Anna went. You can use whether in answer 3.

4. Simple questions and answers

Read each question. Use the clue to give a short answer, then reveal the model.

Could you tell me where the station is? Clue: King Street.

Show answer

It’s on King Street.

Do you know when the class starts? Clue: nine o’clock.

Show answer

It starts at nine.

Do you know if the shop is open? Clue: yes.

Show answer

Yes, it is.

Alone or with a partner, say one question and its answer again.

Subtly painted realistic illustration on white: Retain the adult Black woman and formally dressed male companion wondering whether a shop is open. Preserve the questioning and thoughtful gestures, formal clothing and faces. Keep only a small painted shop-door fragment with a handle as the necessary relevant object, isolated alongside them on white. Remove the street, walls, display mannequins, flowers, window displays and all unrelated scenery.
Do you know if the shop is open?If introduces a yes-or-no indirect question.

Quick quiz

Choose one answer for each question.

1. Could you tell me where ___?
2. Do you know when ___?
3. Do you know ___ the café is open?
4. Do you know where Anna ___ yesterday?

Practise with your teacher

Use these questions in your next lesson.

Book a lesson