Indirect questions.
Word order in an indirect question is the same as in a statement. An indirect general question is introduced by the conjunction if or whether.
She asked if she knew him. (Bennett) An indirect special question is introduced by the same adverb or pronoun that introduces a direct question.
I asked her where she was going and where her friends were. (Ch. ВгоШё) If a direct question to the subject contains the link verb to be, the direct order of words is not always strictly observed.
The direct question What is the matter? can be converted in two He asked what was the matter. He asked what the matter was. Indirect questions are generally introduced by the verb to ask. In more official style the verb to inquire is used.
If the person addressed is mentioned, the verb to inquire is used with the preposition of. This occurs in bookish style only.
In rendering answers the verbs to answer and to reply are generally used. Occasionally, answers are rendered in the following way: His reply (answer) was that..., He said in reply... This is not colloquial.
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