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Learning Objectives

5 minutes reading
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Transform direct questions into polite indirect questions
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Use polite introductory phrases: Could you tell me...?, Do you know...?, I was wondering...
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Apply correct word order in indirect questions (statement order, not question order)
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Choose appropriate formality levels for different business situations
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Key Learning Tip

In indirect questions, use statement word order (subject + verb), NOT question word order. Direct: "Where is the office?" → Indirect: "Could you tell me where the office is?"

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Grammar Explanation

10 minutes reading

Indirect questions are more polite than direct questions. We use them with clients, senior colleagues, and in formal situations. The key is changing the word order!

With Question Words

Wh-questions → Indirect

Polite phrase + wh-word + subject + verb
Direct: Where is the meeting?
Indirect: Could you tell me where the meeting is?
Direct: What time does it start?
Indirect: Do you know what time it starts?
Yes/No Questions

Use "if" or "whether"

Polite phrase + if/whether + subject + verb
Direct: Is the report ready?
Indirect: Could you tell me if the report is ready?
Direct: Can you help me?
Indirect: I was wondering whether you could help me.
Polite Introductions

Common Phrases

From formal to slightly less formal
Could you tell me... (very polite)
Would you mind telling me... (very polite)
Do you know... (polite)
I was wondering... (polite, softer)
Do you have any idea... (polite)
Key Difference

Word Order Change

No auxiliary in the embedded question!
Direct: Where does she work?
Indirect: Do you know where she works?
Direct: What did he say?
Indirect: Could you tell me what he said?
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Important Rule

In the indirect question part, use statement word order: subject + verb. Remove the auxiliary (do/does/did) and conjugate the main verb instead. Direct: "Where does he work?" → Indirect: "...where he works" (NOT "where does he work")

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Professional Contexts

5 minutes reading

Client Communication

📞 Phone calls: "Could you tell me when you would be available for a meeting?"
📧 Emails: "I was wondering if you could send me the contract by Friday."
🤝 Meetings: "Would you mind telling me what your budget is for this project?"
💰 Negotiations: "Do you have any idea when you might make a decision?"

Internal Communication

👔 To managers: "Could you tell me when the deadline is?"
📋 Requesting info: "Do you know if the report is ready?"
🏢 Reception: "Could you tell me where the meeting room is?"
❓ Help desk: "I was wondering whether you could help me with this issue."
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Examples - Correct & Incorrect Usage

5 minutes reading
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Correct Professional Usage

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"Could you tell me where the conference room is?"

Statement order: where + subject (room) + verb (is)

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"Do you know what time the meeting starts?"

Statement order: what time + subject (meeting) + verb (starts)

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"I was wondering if you could help me."

Yes/No question uses "if" + statement order

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"Would you mind telling me how much the service costs?"

Very polite form + statement order

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"Do you have any idea when she will arrive?"

Statement order: when + subject (she) + verb (will arrive)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

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"Could you tell me where is the office?"

Wrong word order! Use statement order: "...where the office is"

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"Do you know what time does the train leave?"

Remove "does" and conjugate: "...what time the train leaves"

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"I was wondering can you help me."

Use "if" or "whether": "...whether/if you could help me"

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Listening Exercise

10 minutes

Scenario: Anna (new Project Coordinator) is asking her senior colleague Mark for information about the Phoenix Project.

🎙️ Audio: Getting Started on a New Project
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Audio Transcript: Getting Started on a New Project

Anna: Excuse me, Mark? Hi. I'm Anna, the new project coordinator. I was wondering if you have a few minutes to help me?

Mark: Of course, Anna. Welcome to the team. What can I do for you?

Anna: Thank you. I'm trying to get started on the 'Phoenix Project', but I need some basic information. First, could you tell me where I can find the project plan? I looked on the shared drive but I couldn't find the latest version.

Mark: No problem. It's in a different folder. I'll send you the link.

Anna: Great, thanks! Also, do you know who is the main contact at the client's office? I need to introduce myself.

Mark: Yes, the main contact is Susan Peters. Her email is in the project plan.

Anna: Perfect. I'd also like to know what the deadline for the first stage is. My calendar isn't set up yet.

Mark: The deadline for the first stage is next Friday, the 24th. It's important we meet that.

Anna: Okay, next Friday. Got it. And could you explain how the reporting process works? Do we send weekly reports?

Mark: Yes, we send a report every Friday afternoon. There is a template you should use. I can show you.

Anna: That would be really helpful. Two last things. I'm not sure if there is a team meeting scheduled this week.

Mark: Yes, there is. It's tomorrow at 10 AM. I'll forward you the invitation.

Anna: Fantastic. And finally, can you tell me where the best place to get coffee is? That's very important information!

Mark: (laughs) Of course. The kitchen on the third floor has the best coffee machine. Welcome aboard, Anna. Let me know if you need anything else.

Anna: Thank you so much, Mark. You've been a great help.

Question 1: Why does Anna use phrases like "Could you tell me..." when she speaks to Mark?

💡 Hint: Anna is new and is speaking to a senior colleague, so she uses polite, indirect questions.

Question 2: What is the main reason Anna is talking to Mark?

💡 Hint: She asks for the project plan, client contact, deadlines, and meeting schedules.

Question 3: Complete the sentence from the audio: "I'd also like to know what the deadline _______________."

💡 Hint: This follows the indirect question structure (subject + verb).
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Interactive Quiz

10 minutes

Choose the correct indirect question form:

1

Direct: "Where is the HR department?"

A Could you tell me where is the HR department?
B Could you tell me where the HR department is?
2

Direct: "What time does the train leave?"

A Do you know what time the train leaves?
B Do you know what time does the train leave?
3

Direct: "Can you help me?"

A I was wondering can you help me.
B I was wondering if you could help me.
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Practice Exercises

10 minutes

Exercise A - Identify Correct Forms

Is each indirect question grammatically correct? Choose True or False.

1.

Could you tell me what your name is?

💡 Hint: Check the word order: subject (name) + verb (is).
2.

Do you know where does he work?

💡 Hint: Should there be "does" in the indirect part?
3.

I was wondering if you could send me the report.

💡 Hint: Yes/No questions use "if" or "whether" + statement order.
4.

Would you mind telling me when is the deadline?

💡 Hint: Check the word order after "when".
5.

Do you have any idea how much it costs?

💡 Hint: Check: subject (it) + verb (costs).

Exercise B - Transform to Indirect Questions

Rewrite each direct question as a polite indirect question:

1.

Direct: "Where is the meeting room?" → Could you tell me...

💡 Hint: Statement order: where + subject + verb (is)
2.

Direct: "What time does the office close?" → Do you know...

💡 Hint: Remove "does" and conjugate: close → closes
3.

Direct: "Is the manager available?" → I was wondering...

💡 Hint: Yes/No question: use "if" + statement order
4.

Direct: "How much does the service cost?" → Would you mind telling me...

💡 Hint: Remove "does" and conjugate: cost → costs

Exercise C - Choose the Appropriate Level of Politeness

Select the most appropriate question for each situation:

1.

Asking your CEO for project budget information:

💡 Hint: Speaking to senior management requires high politeness.
2.

Asking a client about their decision timeline:

💡 Hint: Client communication requires politeness and respect.
3.

Asking a new colleague where they sit:

💡 Hint: With peers, moderate politeness is natural. Over-formality can seem strange.
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Summary

2 minutes

🎓 Key Takeaways

  • Indirect questions are more polite than direct questions - use them with clients and senior colleagues.
  • Use polite introductions: Could you tell me..., Do you know..., I was wondering...
  • Key rule: Use statement word order in the embedded question (subject + verb).
  • Wh-questions: "Could you tell me where the office is?" (NOT "where is the office")
  • Yes/No questions: Add if or whether: "I was wondering if you could help."
  • Remove auxiliaries (do/does/did) and conjugate the main verb: "...what time it starts" (NOT "does start")
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Congratulations!

You've completed Lesson 4.3 on Indirect Questions & Politeness. You've now finished Module 4: Professional Question Formation! Take the Module 4 Quiz to test your knowledge, then continue to Module 5.

Quiz Module 4 →