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Reporting Yes/No Questions

Introduction

When converting Yes/No type questions from Direct to Indirect Speech, we replace the question format with a statement structure using if or whether. These connectors help express the question indirectly, without using a question mark.

This pattern is important because it teaches how to handle interrogative sentences that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”.

Pattern: Reporting Yes/No Questions

Pattern

Use “if” or “whether” to connect the reported question and remove the question form.

Structure:
Direct: He said, “Do you like coffee?”
Indirect: He asked if I liked coffee.

  • No question mark in the indirect form.
  • Verb follows subject (not the inverted order of a question).
  • Reporting verb “said” often becomes “asked,” “inquired,” or “wanted to know.”

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Convert into Indirect Speech:
He said, “Do you like music?”

Options:

  • A) He said that I liked music.
  • B) He asked me if I liked music.
  • C) He told me that I liked music.
  • D) He said me whether I like music.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the question type.

    It’s a Yes/No question (“Do you like...?”).

  2. Step 2: Replace question format.

    Use “if” or “whether” - here, “if” fits naturally.

  3. Step 3: Change reporting verb.

    “said” → “asked”.

  4. Step 4: Apply tense backshift.

    “do like” → “liked”.

  5. Step 5: Change pronoun.

    “you” → “I”.

  6. Step 6: Combine sentence.

    He asked me if I liked music.

  7. Final Answer:

    He asked me if I liked music. → Option B

  8. Quick Check:

    Yes/No question → use “if”; no question mark ✅

Quick Variations

1. If the question begins with “Do,” “Does,” or “Did,” remove them and backshift the tense.

2. “Said” becomes “asked” or “inquired.”

3. Both “if” and “whether” can be used, though “whether” is more formal.

4. Always drop the question mark.

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify if it’s a Yes/No question.
  • Step 2: Replace with “if” or “whether.”
  • Step 3: Change “said” → “asked.”
  • Step 4: Adjust pronouns and tense.
  • Step 5: End without a question mark.

Summary

Summary

  • Use if/whether to report Yes/No questions.
  • Change reporting verb to asked or inquired.
  • No question mark; verb follows subject.
  • Apply tense and pronoun changes as needed.

Example Recap:
Direct: She said, “Do you play tennis?”
Indirect: She asked if I played tennis.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>He said, “Do you like coffee?”
easy
A. He said that I liked coffee.
B. He asked me if I liked coffee.
C. He told me that I liked coffee.
D. He said me whether I like coffee.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the question type.

    It's a Yes/No question starting with 'Do'.

  2. Step 2: Replace question format.

    Use 'if' or 'whether'.

  3. Step 3: Change the reporting verb.

    'said' → 'asked'.

  4. Step 4: Apply tense backshift.

    'do like' → 'liked'.

  5. Step 5: Adjust pronoun.

    'you' → 'I'.

  6. Final Answer:

    He asked me if I liked coffee. → Option B

  7. Quick Check:

    Yes/No question → add 'if', no question mark ✅
Hint: For Yes/No questions, use 'if' or 'whether' and replace 'said' with 'asked'.
Common Mistakes: Leaving the sentence in question form or keeping 'said'.
2. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>She said, “Are you coming today?”
easy
A. She asked if I was coming that day.
B. She said that I was coming that day.
C. She asked that I was coming today.
D. She told that I was coming today.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the structure.

    Yes/No question starting with 'Are'.

  2. Step 2: Replace 'said' with 'asked'.

    Change the reporting verb to 'asked'.

  3. Step 3: Add connector 'if'.

    Use 'if' to link the clause.

  4. Step 4: Change time expression.

    'today' → 'that day'.

  5. Step 5: Change tense.

    'are coming' → 'was coming'.

  6. Final Answer:

    She asked if I was coming that day. → Option A

  7. Quick Check:

    'Are' → 'was'; 'today' → 'that day' ✅
Hint: Always use 'if/whether' and backshift present to past.
Common Mistakes: Keeping 'are' unchanged or not changing 'today'.
3. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>They said, “Did you see the movie?”
medium
A. They said that I had seen the movie.
B. They told that I had seen the movie.
C. They said that I had seen the movie earlier.
D. They asked if I had seen the movie.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recognize question type.

    Yes/No question beginning with 'Did'.

  2. Step 2: Replace 'said' → 'asked'.

    Reporting verb changes to 'asked'.

  3. Step 3: Add connector.

    Use 'if' or 'whether' - here 'if' fits better.

  4. Step 4: Backshift tense.

    'Did see' → 'had seen'.

    5. Step 5: Combine sentence.

  5. They asked if I had seen the movie.

  6. Final Answer:

    They asked if I had seen the movie. → Option D

  7. Quick Check:

    'Did' → 'had' ✅
Hint: ‘Did’ becomes ‘had’ when backshifting in indirect questions.
Common Mistakes: Keeping auxiliary verbs like 'did' unchanged.
4. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>Ravi said, “Will you come to my party?”
medium
A. Ravi asked me if I would come to his party.
B. Ravi asked me that I would come to his party.
C. Ravi said if I will come to his party.
D. Ravi told me if I would come to his party.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the question type.

    Yes/No question with future tense 'will'.

  2. Step 2: Replace 'said' with 'asked'.

    Use 'asked' as the reporting verb.

  3. Step 3: Add 'if'.

    Use 'if' to join the clause.

  4. Step 4: Apply tense backshift.

    'will' → 'would'.

  5. Step 5: Change pronouns.

    'you' → 'I'; 'my' → 'his'.

  6. Final Answer:

    Ravi asked me if I would come to his party. → Option A

  7. Quick Check:

    'will' → 'would'; 'my' → 'his' ✅
Hint: For future questions, 'will' becomes 'would' in reported form.
Common Mistakes: Keeping 'will' unchanged.
5. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>She said, “Have you completed your homework?”
medium
A. She asked if I have completed my homework.
B. She told that I had completed my homework.
C. She asked whether I had completed my homework.
D. She said that I had completed my homework.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recognize the question form.

    Yes/No question starting with 'Have'.

  2. Step 2: Replace 'said' with 'asked'.

    'said' → 'asked'.

  3. Step 3: Add connector.

    Use 'if' or 'whether' - 'whether' fits better in formal writing.

  4. Step 4: Backshift tense.

    'have completed' → 'had completed'.

  5. Step 5: Adjust pronouns.

    'you' → 'I'; 'your' → 'my'.

  6. Final Answer:

    She asked whether I had completed my homework. → Option C

  7. Quick Check:

    'Have' → 'Had'; no question mark ✅
Hint: Use 'whether' for Yes/No questions starting with auxiliaries like 'have' or 'is'.
Common Mistakes: Keeping the question mark or auxiliary verb unchanged.

Mock Test

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