Use

We often use this form to make polite requests. Indirect questions often include the word ‘please’.

Example:

Could you tell me what time the train arrives?

Explanation:

The phrase could you tell makes this question more formal and polite.

How to build

To form indirect questions, we use this structure:

Can/Could/Would + subject + (please) + base form of the verb + object + question mark (?)

• Can you please help me?

• Could you help me move?

• Would you help me?

We can also form indirect questions with this structure:

Do you mind + present participle (base form of the verb + ing) + object + question mark (?)

• Do you mind helping me?