B1 Indirect Questions & Word OrderB1 Indirect Questions & Word Order
Learn how to ask polite and embedded questions using Could you tell me…?, Do you know…?, Can you explain…? and I wonder…. Master statement word order, if/whether, question words and the most common Italian learner mistakes. Impara a formulare domande indirette, educate e incorporate usando Could you tell me…?, Do you know…?, Can you explain…? e I wonder…. Impara l’ordine affermativo, if/whether, le question words e gli errori più comuni degli studenti italiani.
Student detailsDati studente
If the student is logged in, these fields can be auto-filled by the platform. Otherwise, the student can complete them manually.Se lo studente ha effettuato l’accesso, questi campi possono essere compilati automaticamente dalla piattaforma. Altrimenti può completarli manualmente.
Progress: 0%Progresso: 0%
1. See indirect questions in context1. Guarda le domande indirette nel contesto
Meaning in simple ItalianSpiegazione semplice in italiano
Direct question: Where is the station?
Indirect question: Could you tell me where the station is?
Nella seconda parte usiamo l’ordine della frase affermativa: subject + verb.
Per una domanda sì/no usiamo if o whether: Do you know if the shop is open?
Le domande indirette sono più educate e si usano spesso con persone sconosciute, clienti, insegnanti o colleghi.
2. The B1 indirect-question map2. La mappa delle indirect questions B1
An indirect question has an introductory phrase plus an embedded question. The embedded part normally uses statement word order, not direct-question word order.Una domanda indiretta contiene una frase introduttiva e una domanda incorporata. La parte incorporata usa normalmente l’ordine della frase affermativa, non quello della domanda diretta.
Wh- indirect questionsDomande indirette con question word
intro + question word + subject + verbWhere is the bank?
Could you tell me where the bank is?
Yes/No indirect questionsDomande indirette sì/no
intro + if / whether + subject + verbIs the museum open?
Do you know if the museum is open?
Do / does / did disappearDo / does / did scompaiono
what time does it start? → what time it startsDo you know what time the film starts?
Can you tell me why they left?
Polite and embedded introductionsIntroduzioni educate e incorporate
Could you tell me…? / Do you know…? / I wonder…I wonder why she is late.
I’d like to know when the course begins.
- Direct: Where is the station?
- Indirect: Could you tell me where the station is?
- Direct: What time does the lesson start?
- Indirect: Do you know what time the lesson starts?
- Direct: Did they cancel the flight?
- Indirect: Do you know if they cancelled the flight?
3. Two important exceptions3. Due eccezioni importanti
Subject questionsDomande sul soggetto
Quando who o what è già il soggetto, non c’è inversione da eliminare.
Do you know who called?
Can you tell me what happened?
Questions inside questionsDomande dentro altre domande
Il punto interrogativo dipende dall’intera frase, non dalla parte incorporata.
L’intera frase è una domanda.
L’intera frase è un’affermazione.
4. Italian brain vs English brain4. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese
Italian allows flexible word order, but English embedded questions require a very stable subject–verb pattern.L’italiano permette un ordine più flessibile, mentre le domande incorporate inglesi richiedono uno schema soggetto–verbo molto stabile.
| Direct question | Common mistake | Natural indirect question |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the station? | Could you tell me where the station is? | |
| What time does it start? | Do you know what time it starts? | |
| Does she work here? | Do you know if she works here? | |
| Why did they leave? | Can you explain why they left? | |
| Where can I buy tickets? | Could you tell me where I can buy tickets? |
5. How to use indirect questions in real context5. Come usare le indirect questions nel contesto reale
Indirect questions are especially useful in customer service, travel, work, formal emails and conversations with people you do not know well.Le domande indirette sono particolarmente utili nell’assistenza clienti, nei viaggi, al lavoro, nelle email formali e con persone che non conosci bene.
Could you tell me which platform the train leaves from?
I’d like to know whether the course includes a certificate.
Do you know when my order will arrive?
I’m interested in your evening course and I’d like to know when the next course begins. Could you also tell me how many students there are in each class and whether the course fee includes the exam?
6. Common mistakes6. Errori comuni
Use statement word order in the embedded part.Usa l’ordine affermativo nella parte incorporata.
Remove does and use the third-person form starts.Elimina does e usa la terza persona starts.
I wonder is followed by statement word order.I wonder è seguito dall’ordine affermativo.
After if, put the subject before the verb.Dopo if, metti il soggetto prima del verbo.
7. Concept Check Questions7. Domande di controllo del concetto
Check the core rules before moving to controlled practice.Controlla le regole fondamentali prima di passare alla pratica guidata.
8. Quick Check — choose the correct form8. Quick Check — scegli la forma corretta
9. Challenge Check — word order, tense and punctuation9. Challenge Check — ordine, tempo e punteggiatura
10. Write it in English10. Scrivi in inglese
Translate each sentence into natural English using an indirect question.Traduci ogni frase in inglese naturale usando una domanda indiretta.
11. Cambridge-style transformations11. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge
Rewrite the direct question using the words given.Riscrivi la domanda diretta usando le parole indicate.
Where is the nearest bank?
Does the hotel have a pool?
Why did the meeting finish early?
When will the results be ready?
Who sent this email?
12. Mini dialogue practice12. Mini dialogo pratico
Choose the most natural and polite reply.Scegli la risposta più naturale ed educata.
13. Guided writing task13. Writing guidato
Write a polite email asking for information about a course, hotel, event or service. Include at least five indirect-question structures.Scrivi un’email educata per chiedere informazioni su un corso, hotel, evento o servizio. Includi almeno cinque strutture di domanda indiretta.
Dear Sir or Madam, I am interested in your intensive English course and I would like to know when the next course begins. Could you tell me how many students there are in each class and whether the lessons are available online? I would also like to know if the course fee includes the final exam. Do you know which teacher will teach the group and how long each lesson lasts? Finally, could you tell me where I can find the full timetable? Kind regards, Alex
14. How to use this grammar in real life14. Come usare questa grammatica nella vita reale
Indirect questions make your English sound more polite, professional and natural.Le domande indirette rendono il tuo inglese più educato, professionale e naturale.
Use them in speakingUsale nello speaking
Use them when speaking to staff, clients, teachers, colleagues and people you do not know.Usale quando parli con personale, clienti, insegnanti, colleghi e persone che non conosci.
Excuse me, could you tell me which bus goes to the city centre?
Use them in writingUsale nel writing
Use them in formal emails, enquiries and requests for information.Usale nelle email formali, nelle richieste e quando chiedi informazioni.
I would be grateful if you could tell me whether accommodation is included.
Book a consultation with us and we will help you understand the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a capire il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.
15. Final score and report15. Punteggio finale e report
Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.