Indirect questions.

Word order in an indirect question is the same as in a statement. An indirect generalquestion is introduced by the conjunction if or whether.

I said to her, “Have you lived here long?”

I asked her if she had lived there long.

She asked if she knew him. (Bennett)

An indirect specialquestion is introduced by the same adverb or pronoun that introduces a direct question.

I said to her, “Where do you live?”

I asked her whereshe lived.

I asked her whereshe was going and whereher friends were. (Ch. Bronte)

If a direct question to the subject contains the link verb to be, the direct order of words is not always strictly observed.

He asked, “Who is that man?”

He asked

{who the man was who was the man.

The direct question What is the matter? can be converted in two ways:

He asked what was the matter.

He asked what the matter was.

Indirect questions are generally introduced by the verb to ask. In more official style the verb to inquire is used.

She called at the office and said,“When does the secretary usually come?”

She called at the office and inquiredwhen the secretary usually came.

If the person addressed is mentioned, the verb to inquire is used with the preposition of.

This occurs in bookish style only.

She said to him, “Where does Mrs. Brown live?”

She inquired of him where Mrs. Brown lived.

In rendering answers the verbs to answer and to reply are generally used.

Occasionally, answers are rendered in the following way: His reply (answer) was that.., He said in reply... This is not colloquial.

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<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Adverbial clauses of comparison.	\|	Indirect offers, suggestions, and advice.

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