What is Reported Questions | Wh, Yes/ no questions | Rules with Examples
Reporting questions means converting a question of direct speech into a statement in indirect speech. Like all other sentences there can be a question in reported speech part of direct speech that means a speaker is asking something. So, when we report the indirect speech we have to convert that part into a statement. In the present article, we are going to describe about reporting all kinds of questions into indirect speech. We will explain different rules related to changing questions into indirect speech with perfect examples. Students are advised to follow the entire article till end for getting complete knowledge about reporting questions.
First of all, students have to know that there are two kinds of questions which are categorised as wh questions and yes/no questions. For this two types of questions rules of changing them into indirect speech are also different. To change narration correctly for questions students must follow the basic rules in its formation. So, for them we have explained all rules below:
1.) Wh questions:
This type of questions always starts with wh word like how, where, what, when, which etc. to ask or enquire about certain things. Like any reported speech this questions will also be enclosed in quotations within direct speech. Rules of changing into indirect speech are:
i) At first, the questions will be transformed into normal statement.
ii) Reporting verb will always be any one from ask, enquire and wanted to know.
iii) The wh words will remain unchanged in indirect form as these will play the roles of connectors for reporting verb with reported speech.
iv) That will not be used in any case while changing indirect speech for questions.
v) After ask and enquire preposition of will be used in place of to.
vi) Question mark will never be used at the end of indirect speech.
The formal structure of reported speech will be:
Direct speech: wh word+ auxiliary verb+ subject+ question mark
Indirect speech: wh word+ subject+ auxiliary verb+ full stop
Ex.
The teacher said to me, “Why are you late today?”
The teacher asked me why I was late that day.
My father said to me, “why have you not finished your homework?”
My father asked me why I had not finished my homework.
The manager said to the girl, “what is your address?”
The manager asked the girl what her address was.
My teacher said to me, “how is your grandmother now?”
My teacher asked me how my grandmother was then.
2.) Yes/ no questions:
In this type of questions sentence starts with any auxiliary verb or helping verb which is also called auxiliary interrogative questions. These questions will be enclosed in quotations marks within direct speech. Rules of changing the mode of indirect narration are the following:
i) Reporting verb will be changed into ask or enquire of in indirect speech.
ii) In auxiliary interrogative linkers before reported speech will be if or whether.
iii) The questions will always be changed into a statement.
The formal structure will be:
Direct speech: auxiliary verb+ subject+ main verb
Indirect speech: subject+ auxiliary verb+ main verb
Ex.
The traveller said to the person, “can you show me the shortest route of the place?”
The traveller asked the person if he could show him the shortest route of the place.
My friend said to me, “will me guide me in my travel?”
My friend asked me if I would guide him in his travel.
Questions without asking:
There can be questions in indirect speech which are not generally asking about anything, but show other actions like request, advice, offer etc. reporting verb like advise, request etc. will be used according to the sense of the sentences and infinitive will be used after reporting verbs.
Ex.
He said to me, “would you please give a glass of water?”
He requested me to give him a glass of water.
She said to me, “shall I bring you a cup of coffee?”
She offered to bring a cup of coffee.
FAQs:
1.) What are the two types of questions used in reported speech?
Answer. The two types of questions are wh questions and yes/no questions or auxiliary interrogative.
2.) What are the common linkers to use in yes/no questions?
Answer. The common linkers are if and whether which joins reporting verb with reported speech.
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