reported questions

A reported question tells someone what another person asked. It isn't a real question any more, so it uses normal word order: the subject comes before the verb, and there is no question mark.

As in reported speech, the verb usually moves one step back after asked: is → was, can → could, will → would.

Yes/no questions: if or whether

A question that can be answered with yes or no is reported with if or whether. They mean the same here; whether is a little more formal.

Questions with a question word

Keep the question word (where, what, when, why, how, who) and put the subject before the verb.

No do, does, did

The question helpers do, does and did disappear. The main verb takes the tense instead.

Other verbs

Besides asked, you can use wanted to know or wondered.

Common mistakes

• × She asked me where did I live. → She asked me where I lived.
• × He asked what time was it. → He asked what time it was.
• × They asked me do I like football. → They asked me if I liked football.
• × She asked to me if I was ready. → She asked me if I was ready.