English grammar: Reported questions

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reported questions

When we are reporting questions, the subject comes before the verb.
DIRECT SPEECH: "Where are you going?"
REPORTED SPEECH: He asked me where I was going.

DIRECT SPEECH: "Why is he shouting?"
REPORTED SPEECH: He asked me why he was shouting.

DIRECT SPEECH: "What do you want?"
REPORTED SPEECH: She asked me what he wanted.

We do not use the auxiliary verb do, except in negative questions.
DIRECT SPEECH: "Who doesn't like cheese?"
REPORTED SPEECH: She asked me who didn't like cheese.

We report yes / no questions with if or whether.
DIRECT SPEECH: "Do you want me to come?"
REPORTED SPEECH: I asked him if he wanted me to come.

DIRECT SPEECH: "Have you fed the dog?"
REPORTED SPEECH: She asked me whether I had fed the dog.

When we report questions with who, what or which + to be + complement, the verb to be can come before or after the complement.
DIRECT SPEECH: "Who is the champion?"
REPORTED SPEECH: She asked me who the champion was OR She asked me who was the champion.

DIRECT SPEECH: "What is your favourite colour?"
REPORTED SPEECH: She asked me what my favourite colour was OR She asked me what was my favourite colour.

See also  Reported speech | Say and tell

Rama said...
"One of your students could be a famous personality visiting their town/city. Other students interview him/her and report back."

Khalid said...
"Example A
Student 1: Are they happy?
Student 2: Yes, they are.
Student 3: What did he ask you?
Student 2: He asked me if they were happy.

Example B
Student 1: What is your name?
Student 2: My name is Sami.
Student 3: What did he ask you?
Student 2: He asked me what my name was."

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