STANAG & JFLT Level 3 Grammar
Indirect Questions
Structured progression training. Complete each activity to master this grammar point.
Task Progress
Grammar Reference
Indirect questions are a register decision. Embedding a question inside a statement or formal opening phrase produces the impersonal, professional English required at Level 3. Word order is the single most penalised error: after the opening phrase, word order must follow statement order, not question order. There is no auxiliary inversion. There is no DO, DOES, or DID.
| The Core Rule | Direct Question | Indirect Question |
|---|---|---|
| WH-word questions | Where IS the report? | Could you tell me where the report IS? |
| No DO/DOES/DID | What DOES this mean? | I would like to know what this MEANS. |
| Yes/No: use WHETHER | Has it been received? | Could you confirm WHETHER it has been received? |
| No inversion after WHETHER | Is it correct? | I would like to know whether it IS correct. |
| Opening Phrase | Use | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Could you tell me… | Asking for specific information | Polite, formal |
| I would be grateful if you could confirm… | Requesting written verification | Very formal |
| I would like to know… | Stating an information need | Formal, written |
| I would appreciate clarification on… | Requesting explanation formally | Formal, written |
| Could you advise me on… | Asking for guidance or recommendation | Formal, advisory |
| I am writing to enquire whether… | Opening a formal letter or application | Highly formal |
| It remains unclear whether… | Signalling an unresolved issue in an essay | Academic |
| One might ask whether… | Introducing a counterargument | Academic essay |
| The question of whether… remains open. | Framing ongoing debate in a conclusion | Academic essay |
EXAM TIP: Word order is the single most penalised error in indirect questions. Candidates who know the rule still apply direct question word order by habit. After the indirect opening phrase, the word order must be the same as a statement: Could you tell me where the office IS — not where IS the office. There is no inversion. There is no auxiliary DO, DOES, or DID inside the embedded question.
THREE COMMON ERRORS AT LEVEL 3
Inversion after opener: Could you tell me where IS the office? — WRONG. No inversion after the opener.
DO/DOES inside: I would like to know what DOES this mean? — WRONG. Remove DO/DOES. Use statement word order.
Missing WHETHER: I would like to know if the report is ready. — acceptable, but WHETHER is more formal in written English.
DO/DOES inside: I would like to know what DOES this mean? — WRONG. Remove DO/DOES. Use statement word order.
Missing WHETHER: I would like to know if the report is ready. — acceptable, but WHETHER is more formal in written English.
Task A of 9
Gap Fill: Complete the Indirect Question
Supply the correct word order after each opening phrase. No inversion. No DO, DOES, or DID.
Instructions. Complete each indirect question with the correct word order. The direct question is given in brackets. Do not use auxiliary inversion. Do not use DO, DOES, or DID inside the embedded question. Use WHETHER for yes/no questions.
Task A of 9
Task B of 9
Sentence Construction: Direct to Indirect
Rewrite each direct question as a formal indirect question using a different opener each time.
Instructions. Rewrite each direct question as a formal indirect question. Use the opening phrase indicated in the prompts. Use a different opening phrase each time. The context tells you whether this is formal correspondence or academic writing.
Task B of 9
Task C of 9
Matching: Opening Phrase to Function
Match each indirect question opener to its correct function in formal or academic writing.
Instructions. Match each indirect question opening phrase (1 to 10) to its correct function in the exam context (A to J). Write the letter in the answer box.
Task C of 9
Task D of 9
Transformation Task: Rewrite for Register
Convert direct questions to indirect using the opener given. Formal register throughout.
Instructions. Rewrite each sentence using the instruction given in brackets. Pay close attention to word order and formality. The opening phrase is provided — you supply the correct embedded question.
Task D of 9
Task E of 9
Error Correction
Word order errors in indirect questions are consistently penalised at Level 3. Two sentences are correct.
Instructions. Each sentence contains ONE error relating to indirect question word order, missing WHETHER, or incorrect auxiliary use. Write the corrected sentence in full. Two sentences are already correct — identify them and state why.
Task E of 9
Task F of 9
Find the Grammar: Indirect Question Analysis
Identify all indirect questions across a formal letter and an essay passage. State opener, word order, and function.
Instructions. Read each passage. Identify every indirect question. For each, state: (1) the opening phrase used, (2) whether the word order is correct, and (3) the function (information request, confirmation, advice, essay counterargument, etc.).
Passage 1 — Formal Letter of Enquiry
I am writing to enquire whether positions at the training centre are currently available for applicants from allied nations. I would like to know what the application procedure involves and whether a formal endorsement from a commanding officer is required. Could you also advise me on what the standard duration of the programme is and whether any exemptions are granted for prior service experience? I would be grateful if you could respond at your earliest convenience, as the submission deadline is approaching.
I am writing to enquire whether positions…are currently available — Opener: I am writing to enquire. Word order: correct (statement order after whether). Function: formal letter opening; yes/no question about availability using WHETHER.
I would like to know what the application procedure involves — Opener: I would like to know. Word order: correct (involves, not does the procedure involve). Function: requesting specific process information in written correspondence.
whether a formal endorsement…is required — continuation of the same indirect structure. Word order: correct (is required, not is it required). Function: second yes/no question embedded in the same sentence.
Could you also advise me on what the standard duration…is — Opener: Could you advise me on. Word order: correct (the duration IS, not IS the duration). Function: requesting specific factual information.
whether any exemptions are granted — continuation. Word order: correct (are granted, not are they granted). Function: yes/no question about eligibility embedded in advisory request.
I would like to know what the application procedure involves — Opener: I would like to know. Word order: correct (involves, not does the procedure involve). Function: requesting specific process information in written correspondence.
whether a formal endorsement…is required — continuation of the same indirect structure. Word order: correct (is required, not is it required). Function: second yes/no question embedded in the same sentence.
Could you also advise me on what the standard duration…is — Opener: Could you advise me on. Word order: correct (the duration IS, not IS the duration). Function: requesting specific factual information.
whether any exemptions are granted — continuation. Word order: correct (are granted, not are they granted). Function: yes/no question about eligibility embedded in advisory request.
Passage 2 — TIEAC Essay Body Paragraph
It is not immediately clear whether the current alliance structure is capable of responding effectively to threats that fall below the threshold of a conventional military attack. One might ask whether the emphasis on collective defence has come at the expense of individual national resilience. It remains debatable whether increased spending alone is sufficient to address the capability gaps that have been identified. The question of how burden-sharing should be calculated more equitably among member states continues to generate significant disagreement.
It is not immediately clear whether the current alliance structure is capable — Opener: It is not immediately clear. Word order: correct (the structure IS, not IS the structure). Function: signals an unresolved analytical problem; used to introduce complexity without making a definitive claim.
One might ask whether the emphasis…has come at the expense of — Opener: One might ask. Word order: correct (has come, not has it come). Function: introduces a counterargument or critical perspective using formal academic hedging. High-level Level 3 structure.
It remains debatable whether increased spending alone is sufficient — Opener: It remains debatable. Word order: correct (spending IS, not IS spending). Function: signals a contested claim; used to qualify an argument without overstating it.
The question of how burden-sharing should be calculated — Opener: The question of how. Word order: correct (should be calculated, no inversion). Function: frames a complex ongoing debate in the body paragraph; signals that the issue is unresolved and relevant.
One might ask whether the emphasis…has come at the expense of — Opener: One might ask. Word order: correct (has come, not has it come). Function: introduces a counterargument or critical perspective using formal academic hedging. High-level Level 3 structure.
It remains debatable whether increased spending alone is sufficient — Opener: It remains debatable. Word order: correct (spending IS, not IS spending). Function: signals a contested claim; used to qualify an argument without overstating it.
The question of how burden-sharing should be calculated — Opener: The question of how. Word order: correct (should be calculated, no inversion). Function: frames a complex ongoing debate in the body paragraph; signals that the issue is unresolved and relevant.
Task F of 9
Task G of 9
Controlled Writing: Formal Letter of Enquiry
Write a formal letter using at least five indirect questions, each with a different opening phrase.
Instructions. Write a formal letter of enquiry (90 to 110 words) using the information below. You must use at least FIVE indirect questions, each with a different opening phrase. No direct questions at any point in the letter. Formal register throughout. No contractions.
Task Brief
- You are enquiring about a professional development programme at a training institution.
- You need to know: the eligibility criteria for application
- You need to know: the required supporting documents
- You need to know: whether previous operational experience is taken into account
- You need to know: when the next selection process takes place
- You need to know: who to contact if you have further questions
- Open formally. Close formally. No direct questions at any point.
Words: 0 / 90-110
Model Answer:
I am writing to enquire whether places on the professional development programme are currently available to candidates from allied nations. I would like to know what the eligibility criteria for application are and what supporting documents are required. Could you also advise me on whether previous operational experience is taken into account during the selection process? I would be grateful if you could confirm when the next selection round is scheduled to take place. Finally, could you tell me who I should contact should any further questions arise during the application process? I look forward to your response.
(approx. 103 words | Five indirect questions, five different openers: I am writing to enquire / I would like to know / Could you advise me on / I would be grateful if you could confirm / Could you tell me)
I am writing to enquire whether places on the professional development programme are currently available to candidates from allied nations. I would like to know what the eligibility criteria for application are and what supporting documents are required. Could you also advise me on whether previous operational experience is taken into account during the selection process? I would be grateful if you could confirm when the next selection round is scheduled to take place. Finally, could you tell me who I should contact should any further questions arise during the application process? I look forward to your response.
(approx. 103 words | Five indirect questions, five different openers: I am writing to enquire / I would like to know / Could you advise me on / I would be grateful if you could confirm / Could you tell me)
Task G of 9
Task G2 of 9
Extended Writing: Indirect Questions in a TIEAC Essay Paragraph
Use indirect question structures to acknowledge a counterargument at Level 3 academic standard.
Instructions. Write a formal TIEAC Acknowledgement paragraph (90 to 110 words) for the topic below. You must use at least THREE indirect question structures. Formal academic register throughout. No contractions.
Essay Topic and Task
- Topic: Strict discipline is the single most important factor in building an effective military unit.
- Your position: Discipline is essential but not sufficient alone.
- Task: Acknowledge the strongest argument in favour of strict discipline.
- Use these structures: One might argue that… / It cannot be denied that… / It remains unclear whether…
- Then respond: However, it should be noted that… / Nevertheless, it has been shown that…
Words: 0 / 90-110
Model Answer:
One might argue that strict discipline provides the structural predictability without which no military unit can function effectively under pressure. It cannot be denied that units operating within a clearly defined command framework tend to perform more reliably in high-stakes operational environments. It remains unclear, however, whether discipline alone is sufficient to produce the levels of individual initiative and adaptive thinking that modern asymmetric threats demand. Nevertheless, it has been shown in multiple studies that the most operationally effective units combine disciplined command structures with leadership cultures that actively develop individual judgement. Discipline, therefore, is a necessary but not sufficient condition for operational excellence.
(approx. 106 words | Three indirect question structures: One might argue that / It cannot be denied that / It remains unclear whether)
One might argue that strict discipline provides the structural predictability without which no military unit can function effectively under pressure. It cannot be denied that units operating within a clearly defined command framework tend to perform more reliably in high-stakes operational environments. It remains unclear, however, whether discipline alone is sufficient to produce the levels of individual initiative and adaptive thinking that modern asymmetric threats demand. Nevertheless, it has been shown in multiple studies that the most operationally effective units combine disciplined command structures with leadership cultures that actively develop individual judgement. Discipline, therefore, is a necessary but not sufficient condition for operational excellence.
(approx. 106 words | Three indirect question structures: One might argue that / It cannot be denied that / It remains unclear whether)
Task G2 of 9
Task H of 9
Exam Challenge Task
Formal letter of application with at least four different indirect question openers. Examiner standard.
Instructions. Write a formal letter of application (140 to 160 words) applying for a place on an advanced leadership programme. Your letter must: (1) open with a formal indirect question enquiring about availability, (2) use at least four different indirect question opening phrases across the letter, (3) include at least one indirect question asking for advice or guidance, (4) include at least one indirect question asking for confirmation of a specific detail, and (5) close formally. No direct questions at any point. Formal impersonal register throughout. No contractions.
Exam Requirements
- Opening: formal indirect question about programme availability
- At least four different opening phrases across the letter
- One asking for advice or guidance on the application process
- One asking for confirmation of a specific detail
- No direct questions at any point
- Formal close — no contractions
Words: 0 / 140-160
Model Answer:
I am writing to enquire whether places on the Advanced Leadership Programme remain available for the upcoming selection cycle. I have a strong interest in applying and would be grateful if you could advise me on the most appropriate channel through which to submit my application.
I would like to know what the eligibility criteria are for candidates from allied nations and whether a minimum period of operational service is required. Could you also tell me what supporting documentation is expected at the initial stage of the selection process?
I would appreciate clarification on whether the programme includes a language proficiency assessment, as I wish to ensure that my application is fully prepared before submission. I would be grateful if you could confirm the closing date for applications in the current cycle.
I look forward to your response and thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
(approx. 152 words | Four different openers: I am writing to enquire / I would be grateful if you could advise / I would like to know / Could you also tell me / I would appreciate clarification on — five openers used)
I am writing to enquire whether places on the Advanced Leadership Programme remain available for the upcoming selection cycle. I have a strong interest in applying and would be grateful if you could advise me on the most appropriate channel through which to submit my application.
I would like to know what the eligibility criteria are for candidates from allied nations and whether a minimum period of operational service is required. Could you also tell me what supporting documentation is expected at the initial stage of the selection process?
I would appreciate clarification on whether the programme includes a language proficiency assessment, as I wish to ensure that my application is fully prepared before submission. I would be grateful if you could confirm the closing date for applications in the current cycle.
I look forward to your response and thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
(approx. 152 words | Four different openers: I am writing to enquire / I would be grateful if you could advise / I would like to know / Could you also tell me / I would appreciate clarification on — five openers used)
Task H of 9