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Intermediate English Grammar (B1) Lesson 24 of 25

Indirect Questions

Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.

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Conversation 1

Man: Do you know where Kate is?
Woman: She said she had an appointment. She left about an hour ago.
Man: Oh, I see. I need the keys to the safe. Do you know when she'll be back?
Woman: Yes, she said she’ll be back after lunch.
Man: Oh! I can't wait that long. Do you know where she keeps the keys?
Woman: In her desk, but it's locked. However, I think Bob has a set of keys.
Man: OK, great. I'll go ask him.

Conversation 2

Woman: Excuse me, do you know where the library is?
Man: Yes, it's on the other side of campus. It's about a ten-minute walk from here.
Woman: Do you know when it closes?
Man: I think it's open 24 hours, but you'd better check.
Woman: Do you know if there’s a bus that goes there?
Man: Yes, you can catch the campus shuttle by the cafe. It goes straight to the library.
Woman: Do you know how often it comes?
Man: I'm not sure, but I think it comes fairly often.
Woman: Great. Thanks for your help.
Man: No problem at all.

Conversation 3

Man: Do you know when the meeting is?
Woman: It's at 3:30.
Man: Do you know what it's about?
Woman: I'm not sure.The memo didn’t say much. Just that it’s urgent.
Man: Where is it? I can’t remember.
Woman: It's in Meeting Room 10.
Man: Do you know how long it will take?
Woman: The memo said an hour.
Man: An hour? Do you really think it will take that long?
Woman: I doubt it, but you never know.

Conversation 4

Man: Susan, do you know what this machine is?
Woman: Yes, it’s a laminator.
Man: Do you know what it does?
Woman: Yes, it laminates paper. "Laminate" means to cover with plastic.
Man: I see. Do you know how to use it?
Woman: Not really, I’ve never used it.
Man: Do you know who might?
Woman: I think Jill does. I’ve seen her use it before.
Man: Cool. I’ll ask her if I ever want to use it.

Indirect Questions

Point 1: An indirect question is a more polite or formal way of asking for information.
  1. Can you tell me where the office is?
    1. Where is the office?
  2. Can you tell me how to get there?
    1. How do I get there?
  3. Do you know who sits at this desk?
    1. Who sits at this desk?
  4. Do you know what the meeting is about?
    1. What is the meeting about?
  5. I wonder what the meeting is about.
    1. What is the meeting about?
Point 2: The word order in indirect questions and word forms are different from direct questions.
  1. Where is the bus station?
    1. Can you tell me where the bus station is?
  2. When does the movie start?
    1. Can you tell me when the movie starts?
  3. Where did Bob go?
    1. Can you tell me where Bob went?
  4. What is she doing?
    1. Do you know what she is doing?
Point 3: Some auxiliary verbs (do/does/did) are not used in indirect questions.
  1. Where does he work?
    1. Do you know where he works?
  2. What did he say at the meeting?
    1. Do you know what he said at the meeting?
  3. Who do I need to send this to?
    1. Can you tell me who I need to send this to?
  4. Why does she get so upset so easily?
    1. I wonder why she gets so upset so easily.
Point 4: Yes/no questions change in indirect questions. Include the word "if" or "whether" before the statement.
  1. Can I come to the party?
    1. Do you know if I can come to the party?
  2. Did she book the hotel?
    1. Do you know if she booked the hotel?
  3. Is he alright with the decision?
    1. Do you know if he is alright with the decision?
  4. Has he ever worked on a project like this one?
    1. Do you know if he has ever worked on a project like this one?
Answer these questions about the interview.
More Grammar Conversations for Intermeiate Students (B1)

Grammar Listening Practice


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I need a bike to ride to school.

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B1-23 Adjectives with Infinitives
I am happy to see you!

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B1-24 Indirect Questions
Do you know when we start?

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B1-25 Phrasal Verbs
Yes, I just backed it up on our remote server.

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