4.1. Object clauses. Direct and indirect questions.

Object clauses can be connected with the main sentence by different conjunctions:

1) the narrative object clause - the conjunction that

I know (that) his name is Tom.

2) The interrogative object clause is called the indirect question. You should remember the main rule about indirect questions in English:

The indirect question does not look like a question in English. It is a simple sentence which has a direct word order. Depending on the 2 types of question it is connected with the main sentence by 2 ways. The main sentence can be narrative, interrogative or negative.

• 1. General questions – the conjunction if or whether which is translated into Russian as частица ли.

  Direct question (general)	Indirect question
  Is his name Tom?	Do you know if his name is Tom? Вы не знаете, зовут ли его Томом? I don’ know if his name is Tom? Я не знаю, зовут ли его Томом? I wonder if his name is Tom? Интересно, зовут ли его Томом?

• 2. Special questions – the interrogative pronouns what, when, where…

Direct question (special)	Indirect question
What is his name?	Do you know what his name is? Вы не знаете, как его зовут? I don’ know what his name is. Я не знаю, как его зовут. I wonder what his name is? Интересно, как его зовут?

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4.2. The comparative table of direct and indirect general questions

Direct question (general)	Indirect question
The Present Indefinite
Do you sing well?	I wonder if you sing well? Интересно, хорошо ли вы поете?
The Present Continuous
Are you singing now?	I want to know if you are singing? Я хочу знать, поете ли вы сейчас?
The Future Indefinite
Will you sing tomorrow?	Tell me if you will sing tomorrow? Скажите, вы споете завтра?
The Future Continuous
Will you be singing?	Tell me if you will be singing tomorrow? Скажите, вы точно споете завтра?
The Past Indefinite
Did you sing yesterday?	Tell me if you sang yesterday? Скажите, вы пели вчера?
The Past Continuous
Were you singing at 5p.m. yesterday?	Tell me if you were singing at 5p.m. yesterday? Скажите, вы пели в 5 вечера вчера?
The Present Perfect
Have you ever sung?	Tell me if you have ever sung? Скажите, вы когда-нибудь пели?

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Ex1

Change direct general questions into indirect (see rule 4.2):

1) Is sport a high priority with you? 2) Are you keen on travelling? 3) Are you fond of speaking English? 4) Are you eager to go to the sea this summer? 5) Do you have dinner in this café every day? 6) Does your friend study foreign languages? 7) Do you tend to buy new clothes every month? 8) Does your friend drive a car? 9) Are you talking to me? 10) Is Tom making a report now? 11) Will you join us for dinner? 12) Will your brother lend you his car today? 13) Will they be working at this time tomorrow? 14) Did you have a good holiday? 15) Were you working in the garden at 9 p.m.? 16) Was your cousin waiting for you at 9 a.m.? 17) Have you ever seen such a magic sunset? 18) Has she been abroad? 19) Is it far from here? 20) Is it dangerous here?

Ex2

Translate the sentences (see rule 4.2):

1) Интересно, является ли эта работа большим приоритетом для вас? 2) Вы не подскажете, этот дом расположен на этой улице? 3) Вы не знаете, далеко ли еще до этой улицы? 4) Я не знаю, увлекается ли он плаванием? 5) Узнайте, живут ли они в этом доме? 6) Скажите, этот дом принадлежит вам? 7) Я не уверена, говорите ли вы мне правду сейчас? 8) Спросите, вылетает ли Том завтра в Москву? 9) Всем бы хотелось знать, уедет Ник или останется. 10) Никто не знает, будут ли они обсуждать этот вопрос завтра в 9 утра. 11) Спросите Кейт, звонил ли Джон. 12) Интересно, смотрел ли кто-то выступление Сары вчера в 7 вечера? 13) Скажите, вы уже сделали заказ? 14) Я не знаю, купил ли уже Алан этот дом? 15) Я не уверена, гулял ли кто-то во дворе в это время. 16) Интересно, знают ли все последние новости о свадьбе Джима и Лиз?

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