How to see it
A direct question is the exact words someone asks. The verb comes before the subject, and it ends with a question mark: where is the library? A reported question tells us what was asked. It uses statement order, subject then verb, and a full stop. For a yes or no question, add if or whether. Can I help? becomes: she asked if she could help.
A worked example
Start from the direct question: where is the library? Now report it. Mia asked where. Then the subject: the library. Then the verb, in the past: was. Mia asked where the library was. Full stop.
The common mistake: mixing a direct question into reported speech
The trap is mixing the two. Mia asked where was the library, with a question mark, keeps the question inside the report. Choose one: the exact words in speech marks, or a report in statement order.
Try one
Which sentence is written correctly?
- ATom asked if he could stay up late?
- BTom asked could he stay up late.
- CTom asked if he could stay up late.
- DTom asked whether could he stay up late.
- ETom asked, if he could stay up late.
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Right: C, Tom asked if he could stay up late.
Statement order, and a full stop. A has a question mark it does not need.