Direct VS Indirect Questions in English & Proper Punctuation (Question Marks or Periods?)

What are direct vs indirect questions, and do they end in periods or question marks? In this English lesson, you'll learn the difference between asking direct questions vs. indirect questions. We'll talk about how direct questions require direct or specific answers. Indirect questions are used to sound more polite or formal, especially when speaking to strangers or people in a formal setting.

Direct questions always end in question marks, whereas indirect questions may end in a period or a question mark. At the end of this lesson, there will be a 10-question quiz to test if you can tell the difference between direct questions and indirect questions.

A direct question is a question that seeks a specific answer. It often begins with a question word (who, what, when, where, why, how).
Example: What is your name?

Direct questions may also begin with an auxiliary verb and a subject.
Example: Did you go to the basketball game yesterday?

Indirect questions are polite ways to ask direct questions.
Example: Could you tell me where the church is?

Indirect questions are also used to express curiosity but not directly ask a question.
Example: I wonder when Mom and Dad will get home.

👩🏼‍🏫 LEARN MORE:
• Punctuation Lessons:    • English Writing Essentials  
• Common English Errors:    • Common English Grammar Errors  
• Grammar Lessons:    • English Grammar Essentials  

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - What are Direct Questions?
02:01 - What are Indirect Questions?
02:35 - Indirect Questions Ending in Periods
04:28 - Indirect Questions Ending in Question Marks
07:35 - Direct VS Indirect Questions Quiz
08:57 - Quiz Answers

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