A question becomes part of a statement when you report it: Where did you park? becomes He asked where I had parked. You are reporting the question, not asking it again.

The idea

Use ask + (person) + if/whether for yes–no questions; retain where, why, how and other question words. The reported clause uses statement order, with no question inversion or question-forming do. If who is the subject, it precedes the verb itself.

Examples

  • Nora asked whether the ticket included lunch.
  • He asked me where I had parked the van.
  • They wanted to know why the lights were flashing.
  • I asked who had opened the display case.
  • Mia asks if the studio is available tomorrow.
  • The visitor asked how long the tour would last.

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Watch out

A statement reporting a question ends with a full stop. Backshift and changes such as tomorrow → the next day depend on when you report and whether the information remains current; they are not automatic. Use asked me, not said me.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. She asked where ___. (I had parked / had I parked)

    Show answer or example answer

    I had parked

    I had parked puts the subject before the auxiliary. Had I parked is direct-question order.

  2. Choose the correct option. Nora asked ___ the ticket included lunch. (if / that)

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    if

    If introduces this yes–no question; whether would also work. That introduces a reported statement instead.

  3. Choose the correct option. I asked who ___ the display case. (had opened / had they opened)

    Show answer or example answer

    had opened

    Who is the subject of had opened. Adding they supplies an unwanted second subject in this sentence.

Use it today

Write two questions about a museum visit, one yes–no and one with where. Report them to a friend and explain your pronoun and time choices.