An indirect question is not a question at all. In a direct question, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. However, in an indirect question, the auxiliary verb comes after the subject. What’s more, an indirect question ends with a full stop, not a question mark.
Read the following sentences.
Direct question: Where are you going?
Indirect question: I want to know where you are going. (NOT I want to know where are you going?)
Direct question: When do you intend to leave?
Indirect question: I want to know when you intend to leave. (NOT I want to know when do you intend to leave?)
Change the following direct questions into indirect questions using the introductory clauses given.
Have a look at this conversation.
Me: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the nearest station is?
Person in the street: Certainly. It's along that road on the right.
Me: Thank you. And do you know if there's a supermarket near here?
Person in the street: Yes, there's one next to the station.
Me: Thank you very much for your help.
People use indirect questions when they are asking for help in the street, because indirect questions are very polite. Indirect questions start with a phrase like 'could you tell me...' or 'do you know...'. For example:
Direct question: Where is the bank?
Indirect question: Could you tell me where the bank is?
