English grammar - Reported questions

Form & meaning

When we report 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 I wanted.
When reporting questions we don’t 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 + object, the verb be can come before or after the object.
- Direct speech: “Who is the champion?”
  Reported speech: She asked me who the champion was / She asked me who was the champion.
- Direct speech: “What is your favourite colour?”
  Reported speech: She asked me what my favourite colour was / She asked me what was my favourite colour.