Indirect Questions for Polite, Natural English
Ask for information more diplomatically in professional, formal and everyday situations.
Direct or indirect?
A direct question is clear and often appropriate. An indirect question adds a polite opening and can sound more diplomatic.
Indirect: Could you tell me where the meeting room is?
The key word-order rule
After the opening phrase, use statement word order. Do not invert the subject and verb, and do not use do, does or did inside the indirect part.
Information questions
Could you tell me when the presentation starts?
Yes / No questions
Do you know if the client has replied?
Useful openings
- Could you tell me…?
- Do you know…?
- I was wondering if…
- Would you mind telling me…?
- Could you clarify…?
- I’m not sure whether…
Common mistakes
- Wrong: Could you tell me where is the station? Better: Could you tell me where the station is?
- Wrong: Do you know when does it begin? Better: Do you know when it begins?
- Use if or whether when there is no question word.
Practice
Rewrite these as indirect questions.
- Where can I find the agenda?
- Has the manager approved the proposal?
- When will the interview finish?
- Why did the schedule change?
- Is the position still available?
Possible answers
- Could you tell me where I can find the agenda?
- Do you know whether the manager has approved the proposal?
- I was wondering when the interview will finish.
- Could you clarify why the schedule changed?
- Do you know if the position is still available?
Speaking task: professional information gap
Your teacher has information about an event, project or interview. Prepare six indirect questions to discover the missing details. After receiving the answers, summarize the plan and ask one final clarification question.
Continue with the Professional English Hub for workplace speaking, meetings, presentations and email lessons.
Practise this skill in a personalized lesson
Use these ideas in conversation, receive precise correction and build confidence with material adapted to your goals.