What are the rules for changing questions in indirect speech?

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What are the rules for changing questions in indirect speech?

The rules for changing questions in indirect speech are as follows:

1. Change the question word: If the original question starts with a question word like "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," or "how," the question word is usually omitted in indirect speech.

2. Change the verb tense: The verb tense in the reported speech is usually changed to reflect the tense of the reporting verb. For example, if the original question is in the present tense, it is changed to the past tense in indirect speech.

3. Change the word order: In indirect speech, the word order of the reported question is changed to a subject-verb-object order, similar to a statement. For example, "Did you eat lunch?" would become "He asked if I had eaten lunch."

4. Use reporting verbs: Introduce the reported question with appropriate reporting verbs such as "ask," "inquire," "wonder," or "want to know."

5. Use appropriate reporting clauses: Use reporting clauses like "if" or "whether" to introduce yes/no questions, and use "wh-" clauses to introduce questions that require more information.

It is important to note that these rules may vary depending on the specific context and the reporting verb used.