When we report a question, it becomes a statement: the word order is subject + verb, do / does / did disappear, and the question mark goes. For yes/no questions we add if or whether. Tenses and pronouns change as in reported statements.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| asked + wh- + subject + verb (backshifted) | He asked where I lived. |
| asked + if / whether + subject + verb | She asked if I was coming. |
| no do/does/did, no question mark | "Do you smoke?" → He asked if I smoked. |
When to use it
- Wh- questions keep the question word: "Where is it?" → He asked where it was.
- Yes/no questions use if / whether: "Are you ready?" → She asked if I was ready.
- Use ask (not say or tell): He asked me…
- Time words change: tomorrow → the next day.
Examples
- "Where do you live?" → He asked where I lived.
- "Are you coming?" → She asked if I was coming.
- "What time is it?" → He asked what time it was.
- "Did you call?" → She asked whether I had called.
- "Can you help me?" → He asked if I could help him.
- "Why are you crying?" → I asked why she was crying.
Common mistakes
- Question order: He asked where did I live → where I lived.
- Using do/did: She asked if I did like it → if I liked it.
- Missing if/whether: He asked me I was ready → if I was ready.