Question 1

How do I transform yes/no questions into reported speech?

Accepted Answer

To report yes/no questions, use "asked if" or "asked whether" after the reporting verb. Change the word order from question form to statement form (no inversion), and apply the standard tense backshift. For example: "Are you coming?" becomes "She asked if I was coming."

Question 2

What is the difference between "asked if" and "asked whether"?

Accepted Answer

"If" and "whether" are interchangeable when reporting yes/no questions. "Whether" is slightly more formal and is preferred when presenting alternatives (whether...or not). Both are correct: "She asked if/whether I was coming."

Question 3

Do I keep the question word order in reported yes/no questions?

Accepted Answer

No, you must change from question word order to statement word order. Remove the inversion: "Is he at home?" becomes "She asked if he was at home" (not "if was he at home").

Question 4

What tense changes occur in reported yes/no questions?

Accepted Answer

The same tense backshift rules apply: present simple becomes past simple, present continuous becomes past continuous, present perfect becomes past perfect, and modals change (can to could, will to would). Time expressions also change (today to that day, tomorrow to the next day).

Question 5

How do I report negative yes/no questions?

Accepted Answer

Negative questions remain negative in reported speech. "Don't you agree?" becomes "She asked if I didn't agree." The negative form is preserved with the appropriate tense change.

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Present Simple

Past Simple

Present Continuous

Conditionals

Present Perfect

Passive Voice

Reported Speech Yes/No Questions - Asked If/Whether Practice