Examples of Indirect Questions and Affirmative Sentences
1. Direct Question: "What time does the movie start?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know what time the movie starts?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know what time the movie starts."
2. Direct Question: "Where are they going?"
Indirect Question: "Can you tell me where they are going?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I want to know where they are going."
3. Direct Question: "Why did she leave so early?"
Indirect Question: "Do you have any idea why she left so early?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’m curious to know why she left so early."
4. Direct Question: "Who is coming to the party?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know who is coming to the party?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know who is coming to the party."
5. Direct Question: "How much does this cost?"
Indirect Question: "Could you tell me how much this costs?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know how much this costs."
6. Direct Question: "When did they arrive?"
Indirect Question: "Do you remember when they arrived?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I wonder when they arrived."
7. Direct Question: "What does he want to do?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know what he wants to do?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I want to know what he wants to do."
8. Direct Question: "Why are they laughing?"
Indirect Question: "Could you tell me why they are laughing?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know why they are laughing."
9. Direct Question: "Who took the book?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know who took the book?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know who took the book."
10. Direct Question: "How old is she?"
Indirect Question: "Can you tell me how old she is?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I want to know how old she is."
11. Direct Question: "What did you see?"
Indirect Question: "Could you let me know what you saw?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’m curious to know what you saw."
12. Direct Question: "Where did they go on holiday?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know where they went on holiday?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know where they went on holiday."
13. Direct Question: "When will he arrive?"
Indirect Question: "Can you tell me when he will arrive?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I want to know when he will arrive."
14. Direct Question: "Who is the author of this book?"
Indirect Question: "Do you know who the author of this book is?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I’d like to know who the author of this book is."
15. Direct Question: "Why did she choose this job?"
Indirect Question: "Could you tell me why she chose this job?"
Affirmative Sentence: "I want to know why she chose this job."
Explanation for Students
When we use indirect questions or affirmative statements with embedded questions, we do not use the usual
“do/does/did” question structure. Instead, we follow statement word order.
1. No "do/does/did" with question words: In both indirect questions and embedded questions, omit
"do/does/did" when there is a question word (e.g., what, where, when, why).
o Direct: "Where does she live?"
Indirect: "Can you tell me where she lives?"
Affirmative: "I want to know where she lives."
2. Statement word order: In indirect questions and embedded questions, the word order changes to follow the
subject + verb (statement) order.
o Direct: "How much does it cost?"
Indirect: "Do you know how much it costs?"
Affirmative: "I’d like to know how much it costs."
3. Expressions to introduce embedded questions: Common phrases include:
o "I’d like to know..."
o "I want to know..."
o "I wonder..."
o "I’m curious to know..."
o "Can you tell me..."
Exercises for Practice
A. Rewrite the sentences as indirect questions or affirmative statements.
1. Where does he live?
Do you know ________________________?
I’d like to know _________________________.
2. Why did she leave early?
Can you tell me ________________________?
I’m curious to know _________________________.
3. Who is responsible for this project?
Do you have any idea ________________________?
I want to know _________________________.
4. How much does the ticket cost?
Could you tell me ________________________?
I’d like to know _________________________.
5. When did they finish the work?
Do you remember ________________________?
I want to know _________________________.
B. Choose the correct form to complete each question or statement.
1. I’d like to know where (is the library / the library is).
2. Could you tell me why (he did leave / he left)?
3. I wonder how old (is she / she is).
4. Do you know where (they are going / are they going)?
5. I’d like to know what time (does the train leave / the train leaves).
C. Fill in the blanks with the correct form.
1. I’d like to know where _____________ (they/go) after the event.
2. Could you tell me what _____________ (she/plan) to do next?
3. I want to know why _____________ (he/not attend) the meeting.
4. I’m curious to know how _____________ (they/complete) the project so quickly.
5. Do you know when _____________ (the show/start)?
D. Write your own indirect questions and affirmative statements from these prompts.
1. Where are we meeting?
Can you tell me ________________________?
I’d like to know _________________________.
2. What time should we leave?
Could you tell me ________________________?
I wonder _________________________.
3. How did they find out?
Do you know ________________________?
I’m curious to know _________________________.
