Direct and Indirect Questions

When deciding whether to use a direct or an indirect question, there are some general rules of thumb to consider.

• Direct questions are often used in informal situations or with people you know well, while indirect questions are more suitable for formal or professional settings, or when the topic might be sensitive.
• Indirect questions are a way of being polite and are commonly used when talking to someone you don't know well.
• When forming indirect questions, the word order changes to that of a positive statement,
  • and for "yes/no" questions, "if" or "whether" is used.
• It's important to consider the context and the relationship with the person you are speaking to when choosing between direct and indirect questions.

These sample sentences illustrate what is technically possible and correct grammatically. However, to choose the right tense based on the situation in a natural and nuanced way, practice and guidance are essential.

Understanding the context, industry-specific language, and the nuances of professional communication in English is crucial for achieving fluency and confidence in business interactions.

Direct Questions

Simple Present

What time do you leave (today)?

Present Continuous

What time are you leaving (today)?

Present Perfect

What time have you left (today)?

Present Perfect Continuous

What time have you been leaving (today)?

Simple Past

What time did you leave (today)?

Past Continuous

What time were you leaving (today)?

Past Perfect

What time had you left (today)?

Past Perfect Continuous

What time had you been leaving (today)?

Simple Future

What time will you leave (today)?

Future Continuous

What time will you be leaving (today)?

Future Perfect

What time will you have left (today)?

Future Perfect Continuous

What time will you have been leaving (today)?

Indirect Questions

Simple Present

Could you tell me what time you leave (today)?

Present Continuous

I would like to know what time you are leaving (today).

Present Perfect

Do you know what time you have left (today)?

Present Perfect Continuous

I'm wondering what time you have been leaving (today).

Simple Past

Can you tell me what time you left (today)?

Past Continuous

I was wondering what time you were leaving (today).

Past Perfect

I'd like to know what time you had left (today).

Past Perfect Continuous

Have you thought about what time you had been leaving (today)?

Simple Future

At what time will you leave (today)? (This is already an indirect question)

Future Continuous

I'm curious about what time you will be leaving (today).

Future Perfect

Could you inform me what time you will have left (today)?

Future Perfect Continuous

I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what time you will have been leaving (today).