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Learning Objectives

2 minutes reading
✓
Construct grammatically accurate indirect questions by adjusting word order and removing auxiliary verbs
✓
Soften direct requests in sensitive professional contexts to maintain rapport and diplomacy
✓
Differentiate between situations requiring direct precision versus those requiring indirect diplomacy
✓
Integrate if or whether clauses to transform Yes/No questions into polite embedded inquiries
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Key for this lesson

Think of the introductory phrase as a "shield." The longer the shield, the softer the impact of the question. Use this when the answer might be negative or the request is significant.

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Grammar Explanation

4 minutes reading
The Diplomacy Structure

Indirect Questions

Direct questions ("Where is the file?") are efficient but can sound aggressive in professional hierarchies. Indirect questions embed the question inside a polite introductory phrase.

[Intro Phrase] + [Question Word/If/Whether] + [Subject] + [Verb]

Example Transformation:

  • Direct: "Where is the meeting?"
  • Indirect: "Could you tell me where the meeting is?"
Critical Grammar Shifts

Word Order & Auxiliary Deletion

1. Word Order: Subject comes BEFORE verb (statement order)

  • Direct: "Where is the finance department?"
  • Indirect: "Could you tell me where the finance department is?"

2. Auxiliary Deletion: Remove do/does/did and conjugate the main verb

  • Direct: "When did they arrive?"
  • Indirect: "Do you know when they arrived?"
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Signal Phrases (Introductory Clauses)

"Could you tell me..." - Standard polite
"I was wondering..." - Soft, hesitant (very common in email)
"Do you happen to know..." - Low pressure, casual professional
"I'd like to know..." - Formal, assertive

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Context & Professional Usage

5 minutes reading

Professional Contexts

👋 Onboarding/HR: "I was wondering if you could walk me through the expense reporting process later."
🤝 Client Management: "Could you clarify what your budget expectations are for Q3?"
💻 Logistics/IT: "Do you happen to know why the server access was denied this morning?"
📋 Negotiation: "We need to establish whether the deadline is flexible before we sign."
📅 Scheduling: "Please let me know when it would be convenient to discuss the proposal."

Everyday Contexts

🚂 Travel: "Can you tell me which platform the train to Lyon leaves from?"
🍽️ Social/Hosting: "I was wondering if your partner eats meat or if they would prefer a vegetarian option."
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The "Stranger" Test

When practicing, imagine you are speaking to a stranger on the street. If the question feels too abrupt for a stranger, it is likely too abrupt for a client or colleague.

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Business English Examples

6 minutes reading
1

The "Word Order" Trap

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"Could you tell me where is the finance department?"

Incorrect: Keeps question word order

✓
"Could you tell me where the finance department is?"

Correct: Subject before verb (statement order)

2

The "Did" Retention

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"Do you know when did the client call?"

Incorrect: Keeps auxiliary "did"

✓
"Do you know when the client called?"

Correct: Main verb conjugated to past simple

3

Tone Mismatch

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"I want to know if you are free." (to a CEO)

Too aggressive for upward communication

✓
"I was wondering if you might have a moment to speak."

Appropriately diplomatic for senior executives

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Professional Listening Exercise

6 minutes

Listen to Mark (Manager) showing Elena (New Consultant) around the office. Notice how they use indirect questions in professional conversation:

🎵 Audio: Office Onboarding
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
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Speed:

Mark: ...and that's the main breakout area. So, that covers most of the ground floor.

Elena: Thanks, Mark. It's a great space. Sorry to interrupt, but could you tell me how I access the secure printer? I have some contracts to scan.

Mark: Ah, right. You need a passcode. Do you happen to know if IT sent you the welcome email yet?

Elena: I think so. I saw an email from 'SysAdmin', but I didn't open it. I was wondering if that code works for all the machines or just this one?

Mark: It should work for all of them. Oh, and one more thing - can you remind me when your badge photo is scheduled?

Elena: 2:00 PM. Actually, regarding the badge, do you know who I should speak to about parking access?

Mark: That would be Sarah at the front desk. She'll sort you out.

Question 1: What specific task does Elena need to complete right now?

💡 Hint: Listen for what Elena mentions right after asking about the secure printer.

Question 2: Why does Mark ask about the IT email?

💡 Hint: Mark implies the passcode is inside that email.

Question 3: Elena uses "I was wondering..." regarding the code. What does this imply?

💡 Hint: "I was wondering" implies uncertainty - she's hypothesizing/checking.

Question 4: What structure does Mark use when asking about Elena's schedule?

💡 Hint: "Can you remind me when your badge photo is scheduled?" uses the indirect question structure.
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Quick Comprehension Quiz

4 minutes

Choose the correct option for each professional situation:

1

Which sentence is most appropriate for asking a client about a delayed payment?

A Why haven't you paid the invoice yet?
B I was wondering when we might expect payment for the outstanding invoice.
C Do you tell me when the payment is coming?
2

Select the grammatically correct sentence:

A Could you explain how does this software work?
B Could you explain how works this software?
C Could you explain how this software works?
3

You need to know if a colleague finished a report. Which is correct?

A Do you know if finished he the report?
B Do you know if he finished the report?
C Do you know did he finish the report?
4

Which introductory phrase is most appropriate for a formal email to a senior executive?

A "Tell me if..."
B "I'd appreciate it if you could tell me..."
C "I want to know..."
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Professional Practice Exercises

7 minutes

Exercise A: The "Politeness Filter" - Rewrite

Transform these direct questions into indirect questions using the prompts provided.

1.

Direct: Is the shipment arriving today?
Prompt: Could you confirm...

💡 Hint: Use "if" or "whether" for Yes/No questions. Remember statement word order.
2.

Direct: Can I take next Friday off?
Prompt: I was wondering...

💡 Hint: "I was wondering if I could..." is perfect for requests requiring permission.
3.

Direct: Why did the system crash?
Prompt: Do you have any idea...

💡 Hint: Remove "did" and conjugate "crash" to past simple.
4.

Direct: Where is the cloakroom?
Prompt: Do you happen to know...

💡 Hint: Change "where is the cloakroom" to "where the cloakroom is" (statement order).

Exercise B: Sentence Reconstruction

Reorder the words to form coherent professional inquiries. Pay attention to subject-verb placement.

1.

Words: know / much / cost / do / you / how / subscription / the / costs

💡 Hint: Start with "Do you know how much..." - then subject + verb.
2.

Words: tell / meeting / me / start / could / when / the / you / starts

💡 Hint: "Could you tell me when..." - then "the meeting starts" (subject + verb).
3.

Words: if / wondering / available / I / was / report / is / the / yet

💡 Hint: "I was wondering if..." for Yes/No embedded questions.

Exercise C: Error Correction

Each sentence contains ONE error. Type the corrected sentence.

1.

❌ "Could you tell me where is the new branch manager's office?"

💡 Hint: Word order error - change to statement order after "where."
2.

❌ "I'd like to know does the price include VAT."

💡 Hint: Use "if" or "whether" for Yes/No questions - remove "does."
3.

❌ "Do you know how long did the presentation last?"

💡 Hint: Remove "did" and conjugate the main verb to past simple.
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Speaking Preparation

4 minutes
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Preparation for Class

Use these tasks to prepare for speaking practice with your teacher. Focus on transforming direct questions into polite indirect questions.

💼 Task 1: Controlled Practice (1 min)

Read each direct question aloud, then immediately "soften" it using "Could you tell me..." or "Do you know..."

  • "What time is it?" → Could you tell me what time it is?
  • "Where did she go?" → Do you know where she went?
  • "Is he busy?" → Could you tell me if he's busy?
🤝 Task 2: Guided Practice - The Project Delay (2 min)

You are speaking to a colleague from another department. Their deliverables are late, and it is affecting your work. You need to ask:

  • Why they are late
  • When they will be ready
  • If they need help

Constraint: You cannot use direct questions. Use polite intro phrases to maintain a good relationship.

🎤 Task 3: Free Practice - Networking Event (1 min)

You are at an industry event. You want to ask a senior leader for advice on how they started their career, but you don't want to be intrusive.

Formulate your approach and ask two indirect questions about their career path.

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Summary: Indirect Questions

Structure: Intro Phrase + Connector (Wh-/If) + Subject + Verb
Grammar Rule: Remove "do/does/did" and conjugate the main verb
Tone: Use "I was wondering..." for requests requiring yes/no (favors/permission)

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