INFORMATIVE TEXT

There are rules for formulating direct and indirect questions. Here are the rules for you.

1. Questions with the verb to be

a) Direct: question word/phrase + verb to be + subject

How is her mother?

b) Indirect: indirect phrase + question word + subject + verb to be

Do you know how her mother is?

2. Questions with main verbs

a) Direct: question word + auxiliary verb + subject + verb

Where can I find a doctor?

b) Indirect: indirect phrase + question word + subject + auxiliary verb + verb

Do you know where I can find a doctor?

We use Do you know when we are not sure whether or not the person you are asking the question knows

the answer. If you encountered a stranger on the street and wanted to know where the bank was you

would use the indirect question with the phrase Do you know… Do you know where the bank is? You

would use this because you are not sure if the person you are asking knows where the bank is. If you were

in a grocery store and wanted to find the sugar, you would ask one of the employees with the phrase, Can

you tell me, in your question. You would assume that the person working there would know where the

sugar is so your question to this person would be: Can you tell me where the sugar is?

Now look at some common illnesses. We will use direct and indirect questions to find out what is wrong

with the people in these pictures.

1. Free headache Clipart.

Freeclipartnow.com (2008).

Direct: What’s wrong with him?

Indirect: Do you know what’s wrong with him?

Answer: He has a headache.

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Direct: How do you feel?

Answer: I have a headache.

2. US Navy 090715-N-9689V-008

Republic of Singapore Navy Maj.

Boon Hor Ho examines a local man

suffering from abdominal pain during

a

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