Lesson 05 drill — Indirect questions: word order and 'if/whether'
An indirect question wraps a direct question inside a polite opener like 'Could you tell me…?', 'Do you know…?', 'I was wondering…'. Two things change: (1) the word order goes back to SUBJECT + VERB (not verb + subject), and (2) for yes/no questions you add IF or WHETHER. The auxiliary 'do/does/did' disappears.
Make polite: 'Where is the toilet?'
Make polite: 'What time does it close?'
Yes/no question — use:
Most polite:
Which is INCORRECT?
Could you tell me where the station ____?
Do you know ____ the shop opens on Sundays?
I was ____ if you could help me.
Would you mind ____ a little slower, please?
Sorry to ____ you, but where's the lift?