We use indirect questions to ask for information politely, such as with strangers or in formal situations. Indirect yes/no questions are introduced with "if", and wh-questions are introduced with a question word. With the verb "to be", the verb is placed after the pronoun or noun. With other verbs, auxiliary verbs like "do/does/did" are omitted. Some examples of converting direct questions to indirect questions are provided.

1. INDIRECT QUESTIONS
We use indirect questions to express something that we do not
know or to ask politely for information. With strangers or in a
formal situation, an indirect question is considered more polite
than a direct question.
I wonder where he lives
Could you tell me where he was born?
Less formal
Does he like English?
More polite
Could you tell me if he likes English?
Introduce indirect yes / no questions with if.
Do you know if he knows the answer?
With the verb to be, put the verb after the pronoun or noun.
Direct questions Indirect questions
Are you from Mexico? I wonder if you are from Mexico?
Was he from Mexico? Could you tell me if he was from Mexico?
With other verbs, omit the auxiliary: do, does or did.
Direct questions indirect questions
Do you study? I wonder if you study
Does he work? Could you tell me if he works?
Did they go on vacation last month? I wonder if they went on vacation last month
Introduce indirect wh-questions with a question word.
Many parents wonder where their children are.

2. With the verb to be, put the verb after the pronoun or noun.
Direct questions Indirect questions
Where is he from? I’d would like to know where he is from?
When was he born? I wonder when he was born.
With other verbs, omit the auxiliary: do, does or did
Direct questions indirect questions
Where did they live? Could you tell me where they lived?
Where does he live? I wonder where he lives.
EXERCISE
Write the following direct questions in indirect questions use phrases like: could you
tell me, I wonder, I’d would like to know.
Direct question Indirect question
Did the president know about this? Could you tell me if the president knew about this?
Do you take credit cards? ______________________________________
Does the bus stop here? ______________________________________
Was the plane on time? ______________________________________
Where do you come from? ______________________________________
What was her name? ______________________________________
Where did Nicole live? ______________________________________
Who are her friends? ______________________________________
What does a judge do? ______________________________________
Where is the restroom? ______________________________________
Who do you love? ______________________________________
How long did he live? ______________________________________
Did you study for the exam? ______________________________________