Overview
Yes/no questions in reported speech are introduced by 'whether' or 'if', followed by the subject then verb (no inversion, no auxiliary). Example: 'Are you ready?' → He asked whether I was ready. 'Whether' is more formal; both are grammatically correct.
Yes/No Questions → Reported
- Use if or whether + affirmative word order.
- Direct'Do you like coffee?'
- ReportedShe asked if I liked coffee.
- Direct'Have you finished?'
- ReportedHe asked whether I had finished.
If vs Whether
- Both if and whether are correct for yes/no questions.
- FormalWhether is more formal: She asked whether he agreed.
- InformalIf is more common: He asked if she was okay.
- NoteOnly whether can come before an infinitive: I asked whether to go.
Word Order Rules
- ❌ She asked if was he ready.
- ✅ She asked if he was ready.
- ❌ He asked whether did she come.
- ✅ He asked whether she had come.
When to use
Conversation
She asked if I wanted tea or coffee.
Formal email
He asked whether the order had been received.
Medical
The doctor asked whether she had any allergies.
Official
The officer asked if I had a return ticket.