Could you tell me where the station is, please? Could you tell me where the station is, please?
These are an alternative way to ask certain questions. For example:
Could you tell me if it's ready? = Is it ready?
They consist of two questions in one sentence. There are lots of possibilities. Here are a few examples:
| First question | + | Second question |
|
Could you tell me...
|
if/whether
|
...there's a canteen in this building?
|
|
Can you remember...
|
if/whether
|
...we ordered more paper?
|
|
Do you know...
|
who/what/which/where/ when/whose
|
...it is?
|
|
Does anyone recall...
|
where
|
...we put the file?
|
|
Did she say...
|
how
|
...she fixed it?
|
|
Can you confirm...
|
how much/many
|
...we need?
|
|
Do you have any idea...
|
how long
|
...it will take?
|
|
Would you mind explaining...
|
how
|
...you're going to solve this problem?
|
Note that
1. In the first question, we use the usual word order for interrogatives but in the second question, we do not:
Do you know what is it? 
Do you know what it is? 
Could you tell me where can I find a post office?
Could you tell me where I can find a post office?
Can you confirm what time does the conference start?
Can you confirm what time the conference starts?
An exception is when there is a question word in the second part that refers to a subject rather than an object. For example:
Can you tell me what's wrong?
Do you know who will be there?
2. With 'whose', only one indirect form is correct:
| Whose pen is this? | Do you know whose pen this is?
|
| Whose is this pen?
| Do you know whose is this pen? |
3. We can also use question word + infinitive. For example:
Do you know...
...what to do with this file?
...when to take a coffee break?
...where to go?
...how many to bring?
Could you tell me...
...how to get to the airport?
...which computer to use?
...whose ID to check?
...who to invite?
| Use | Examples |
|
To be more polite, especially when talking to a stranger or someone we don't know well. |
Excuse me, do you know which platform I need for trains to Birmingham?
Can you tell me whether it's quicker to go by bus or train?
|
|
When we don't know if the person we're asking has the information we need. |
Do you know if there's a team meeting this week?
Did you find out when the parts will arrive?
|
|
When there are simply two questions involved. |
Did anyone ask whether it's OK for us to leave early?
Did you notice if Frank was in his office?
|
Note that we often begin with 'Excuse me' when approaching a stranger or interrupting someone to ask a question. We might also add 'please' at the end.
