Indirect Questions

We use indirect questions to make a question more polite or more formal.

Wh - questions

• Could you tell me what is on TV tonight? (= What is on TV tonight?)
• Do you know why this show is popular? (= Why is this show popular?)

Yes/No questions

• Could you tell me if my team won the game? (= Did my team win the game?)
• Do you know if the game is on tonight? (= Is the game on tonight?)

In indirect questions, the verb follows the subject, as in a statement. We don't use a helping verb unless it is a negative question.

• What is her name? => What do you think her name is?
• Why didn't he stay? => I wonder shy he didn't stay.
• Why did he leave? => Do you know why he left?