QUESTIONSWHEN TRANSFORMING QUESTIONS, CHECK WHETHER YOU HAVE TO CHANGE

2. Questions

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:



pronouns



present tense verbs (3rd person singular)



place and time expressions



tenses (backshift)

Also note that you have to:



transform the question into an indirect question



use the interrogative or if / whether

Type

Example

with interrogative

direct speech

“Why don’t you speak English?”

reported speech

He asked me why I didn’t speak English.

without interrogative direct speech

“Do you speak English?”

reported speech

He asked me whether / if I spoke English.