MEMBERS SIGN IN  |  REGISTER  |  ADVERTISE  |  CONTACT    54267 members

English grammar: Reported questions

eslbase - TEFL jobs - TEFL courses - ESL resources

Resource centre  >  English grammar  >  teaching reported questions

reported questions

word order

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.

negative questions

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.

yes/no questions

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.

who, what, which

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

teaching reported questions

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."


 Email this page to a friend


How do you teach reported questions?

Send us your idea and we'll add it to the page

Your name   (optional)
Email address   (optional)
Your idea  
 


Warmers Language Learners' Listening Comprehension

TEFL blog In the TEFL blog today... Changing meaning

Latest TEFL jobs in your inbox Get the latest TEFL jobs delivered to you by email

TERMS OF USE  |   DISCLAIMER  |   PRIVACY  |   CONTACT  |   ADVERTISE  |   LINKS  |   SITE MAP  |   TESTIMONIALS  |   LANGUAGE EXCHANGE  |   TEFL BLOG

© 2005-2008 eslbase.com - TEFL jobs and TEFL courses, information, advice and ESL resources for teachers - English grammar: Reported questions