Common errors in the use of verbs

Incorrect: I asked had she any letters for me.
Correct: I asked if she had any letters for me.
Correct: I asked whether she had any letters for me.

Indirect yes/no questions are introduced by if or whether.

Incorrect: I asked if had they taken their food.
Correct: I asked if they had taken their food.

In an indirect question, the subject comes before the verb. In a direct question, the verb comes before the subject.

Incorrect: He asked that what was my name.
Correct: He asked what my name was.

Incorrect: He enquired that where was the office.
Correct: He enquired where the office was.

The interrogative words what, where, when, whether and why can join a clause to another clause, rather like conjunctions. Since one conjunction is enough to join two clauses, it is incorrect to use that before these words.

Incorrect: John said can he go home.
Correct: John asked if he can go home.

Incorrect: Peter told whether I had finished my work.
Correct: Peter asked whether I had finished my work.

Indirect questions cannot be introduced by say or tell. Instead we use a verb like asked.

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