Beginner to Elementary Grammar A1
In this article, Beginner to Elementary Grammar A1 learners study order of adjectives.
You will learn the usual order of opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.
The key question is: Which adjective sounds natural first when several adjectives describe one noun?
Intermediate Grammar B1
In this article, Intermediate Grammar B1 learners study reported questions.
You will learn how reported questions use statement word order.
The key question is: How does the question change when it becomes part of a reported sentence?
The main rule to remember is: Most English questions place an auxiliary verb before the subject.
You will study reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether.
By the end, you should be able to report questions without using question word order.
Questions ask for information, confirmation, choice, or clarification. English questions often change word order and use auxiliary verbs.
Reported Questions Explained looks specifically at reported questions. At this level, the goal is to explain relationships between ideas and avoid common intermediate mistakes.
As you read, keep one question in mind: How does the question change when it becomes part of a reported sentence? This question will help you connect the rule to meaning instead of memorizing the form alone.
You will see reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether, then practice the topic through corrections, short tasks, and a final review.
This section breaks reported questions into practical rules. Read each rule, study the examples, and notice how the form supports the meaning.
Begin with an auxiliary verb such as do, be, have, can, will, or should.
Begin with a question word such as who, what, when, where, why, or how.
Use a short tag at the end to confirm information or invite agreement.
The examples below focus on reported questions. Read the sentence, then read the note so you can see why the grammar choice works.
| Use | Example | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Core pattern | Do you like coffee? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Natural use | Are they ready? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Meaning check | Can she swim? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Daily English | Where do you live? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Careful writing | Why is she late? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Question form | How did they travel? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Formal style | You are ready, aren't you? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
| Review sentence | She lives here, doesn't she? | This example connects to reported questions and shows reported wh- questions and yes/no questions with if or whether. |
Reported questions becomes more useful when it appears inside connected writing, not only in isolated examples. Try using the topic in a short message, a description, a comparison, or an explanation.
A strong example should answer the article question: How does the question change when it becomes part of a reported sentence? If your sentence answers that question, the grammar is doing real work.
These mistakes show what can go wrong with reported questions. Compare the wrong sentence, the correction, and the reason before you write your own examples.
| Common Mistake | Correction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are ready? | Are you ready? | Move the auxiliary before the subject in many questions. |
| Where you live? | Where do you live? | Use do or does in many present simple questions. |
| What she said? | What did she say? | Use did plus the base verb for many past simple questions. |
Use these exercises after reading the article. They are designed around reported questions, so each task should help you use the topic in a specific way.
Write a short paragraph of five to seven sentences that includes reported questions. After writing, highlight the grammar pattern and explain how it answers this question: How does the question change when it becomes part of a reported sentence?
Answer these questions to check whether you can recognize and use reported questions without relying only on memory.
This topic is useful because it helps you make a specific grammar choice instead of relying on translation or habit.
Before you leave this article, check whether you can answer this question clearly: How does the question change when it becomes part of a reported sentence?
If the answer feels automatic, try using reported questions in a new sentence about your own life, work, studies, or opinions.
Next step: Change five direct questions into reported questions.
