Reported questions
Report yes/no and wh- questions using statement word order, if/whether and no auxiliary do.
In this lesson you will
- Report wh- questions with statement word order
- Report yes/no questions with if/whether
- Use ask, want to know, wonder
Learn
Wh- questions: keep the question word, then use statement word order and backshift: “Where do you live?” → She asked me where I lived. (No do/did, no question mark.)
Yes/no questions: use if or whether: “Are you hungry?” → He asked if I was* hungry.*
Reporting verbs: ask, want to know, wonder, enquire (formal).
Common mistake: keeping question order — She asked where did I live ✗ → She asked where I lived ✓.
Examples
- The officer asked me where I was going.
- She wanted to know if I had a car.
- They asked whether we could help.
- I wondered why he was so quiet.
Vocabulary
wonder
ask yourself
enquire
ask (formal)
whether
if (for choices)
want to know
ask
interview
a formal meeting with questions
Practice
Complete the sentence.
Speaking
Report six questions you were asked at a job interview, a border control or a first meeting.
Writing
Write a short report of an interview (60–80 words) using asked, wanted to know and wondered.
Lesson quiz
She asked me how old ___.
Review
Key points
- Wh- + statement order.
- Yes/no → if/whether.
- No do/did; no question mark.
- ask, want to know, wonder.
What you learned
- ✓ I can report questions.
- ✓ I use statement word order.
- ✓ I use if/whether.
Grammar reference: Reported speech, Question forms