What is the difference between direct and indirect questions in reported speech?

What is the difference between direct and indirect questions in reported speech?

The main difference between direct and indirect questions in reported speech lies in the way they are reported or quoted.

Direct questions are the ones that are quoted or reported exactly as they were asked, using a question mark at the end. For example, "What time is it?" or "Where are you going?" In direct questions, the word order is typically subject-verb-object, and the verb is usually before the subject.

On the other hand, indirect questions are reported or quoted in a more indirect or indirect manner, without using a question mark. They are usually introduced by reporting verbs such as ask, wonder, or inquire. For example, "He asked what time it was" or "She wondered where I was going." In indirect questions, the word order is typically subject-object-verb, and the verb is usually after the subject.

Additionally, when reporting indirect questions, it is common to use introductory phrases such as "I asked him" or "She wanted to know" to indicate who asked the question. These phrases are not necessary in direct questions.

In summary, the main difference between direct and indirect questions in reported speech is the way they are reported or quoted, with direct questions being quoted exactly as asked and indirect questions being reported in a more indirect manner.