English Grammar

Direct and idirect speech: Reporting questions

In reported questions the subject normally comes before the verb. It is not necessary to use do or did. Question marks are not used in reported questions.

• He said, "When are you leaving?"
• He asked me when I was leaving. (NOT When was I leaving?)
• I said, "Where are you staying?"
• I asked her where she was staying.
• "Where does John live?" she asked me.
• She asked me where John lived.
• John asked, "Where did you go last weekend?"
• John asked where I had gone the previous weekend.
• He asked, "Why are you staring at me?"
• He asked me why I was staring at him.

Yes/No questions are reported with if/whether.

• "Do you speak English," she asked him.
• She asked him if he spoke English.
• "Are you British or French?" they asked me.
• They asked me whether I was British or French.
• "Did you come by train?" she enquired.
• She enquired if I had come by train.

We do not normally use say or tell in reported questions.

Wh-questions are reported by using ask (or another verb like ask) + question word + clause. We use normal word order.

• "What is your name?" he asked me.
• He asked what my name was.
• "How old is your mother?" he asked her.
• He asked her how old her mother was.

When we report questions constructed with who/what/which + be + complement, be can be put before or after the complement.

• She asked, "Who is the best player here?"
• She asked me who the best player was.
• She asked me who was the best player.
• He asked, “What is the matter?”
• He asked what the matter was.
• He asked what was the matter.

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