indirect question

USAGE SUMMARY

"indirect question" is correct and usable in written English.
An indirect question is a question that is not asked directly, but is implied or indicated. An example of an indirect question is, "I wonder what she plans to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We needed a period, not a question mark, after the indirect question in the first sentence.

The New York Times

Another punctuation problem: The first sentence is an indirect question, and so should end with a period, not a question mark.

The New York Times

She devised a shrewd indirect question: "Do you feel that some people are getting more than their fair share?" Suddenly, respondents who had declared dutiful support for civil rights were ready to disclose their anger at blacks.

The New York Times - Magazine

But how do you make a direct question without a wh- question word into an indirect question?

BBC

When we use a longer phrase at the beginning of an indirect question, the rest of the question uses statement word order.

BBC

If there is no wh- question word in a direct question, use 'if' or 'whether' to make it into an indirect question.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is more effective to pose indirect questions.

The New York Times

Harper began his day as everyone expected: dancing around a few indirect questions at his locker about his impending free agency from some New York media members.

The Washington Post

In Hungarian it is the only way to form direct yes no questions, although in indirect questions a particle -e is used e.g., a házak fehérek?

Encyclopedia Britannica

They also asked indirect questions, like whether the father gave the mother money for the children and, if so, how much.

The Economist

the use of inverted word order in indirect questions, as in She asked could she go to the movies, is becoming just as much a part of informal spoken American English as indirect questions without inverted word order, as in She asked if she could go to the movies.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indirect questions" when you want to be more polite or avoid direct confrontation. Start with phrases like "Could you tell me..." or "I was wondering..." to soften the inquiry.

Common error

Ensure the word order in the second part of the "indirect question" follows statement structure, not question structure. Instead of "Could you tell me where is the station?", use "Could you tell me where the station is?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indirect question" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of interrogative construction. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is correct and usable in written English. It refers to a question that is not posed directly, but is implied or embedded within a statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indirect question" is a grammatically correct term referring to questions phrased politely or subtly within a statement rather than directly. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It's most common in news, media, and scientific contexts, serving to soften inquiries and avoid directness. When using "indirect questions", pay attention to the change in word order. Related phrases include "implied question" and "subtle inquiry", offering alternative ways to express related ideas with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implied question

This alternative focuses on the implicit nature of the question, where the question is not directly stated but is understood from the context.

implicit inquiry

Similar to "implied question", this highlights the unstated nature of the question, inferred from the situation.

subtle inquiry

This alternative emphasizes the discreet and delicate approach to asking a question, avoiding directness.

roundabout query

This alternative highlights the circuitous way the question is posed, not immediately apparent.

veiled question

This alternative suggests that the question is hidden or disguised, not openly expressed.

oblique question

This alternative indicates that the question is approached indirectly, at an angle rather than head-on.

tacit question

This alternative implies that the question is understood without being explicitly stated, based on shared knowledge.

suggested question

This alternative means the question is hinted at rather than directly expressed.

hinted question

Similar to "suggested question", indicating a subtle and indirect way of posing a question.

circumlocutory question

This alternative emphasizes the wordy and indirect manner in which the question is asked.

FAQs

How can I identify an indirect question?

An indirect question is often embedded within a statement and doesn't directly ask for an answer. It typically starts with phrases like "I wonder," "Do you know," or "Could you tell me" before introducing the actual question in statement form.

What's the difference between a direct and an indirect question?

A direct question seeks information using a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) and ends with a question mark. An indirect question, however, embeds the question within a statement, using phrases that soften the inquiry, like /s/"could+you+tell+me".

When is it appropriate to use an indirect question?

Use an indirect question when you want to be polite, less confrontational, or when the direct answer may be sensitive. It's also useful in formal settings or when speaking to someone of higher authority.

How do I form an indirect question from a direct question?

To transform a direct question into an indirect one, embed it after an introductory phrase. For example, "Where is the station?" becomes "Could you tell me where the station is?" Notice the change in word order after "where".