With the use of indirect questions (Indirekte Fragen) in German, we can ask for information indirectly. In addition, indirect questions are also used to express politeness and formality. There are two types of indirect questions that we commonly encounter: indirect questions of the Ja/Nein_Fragen type and indirect questions of the W_Fragen type. In today's article we will look at the differences between the types of indirect questions in German. 

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1. An indirect question is a special type of question. Indirect questions usually consist of 2 parts, the main clause (Hauptsatz) and the subordinate clause (Nebensatz), separated by a comma. 

2. Punctuation in indirect questions

- Whether a “?” or a “.” is used at the end of each indirect question depends on whether the main clause is a question or a statement:

• If the main clause (Hauptsatz) is a question (The verb is in first position) then the indirect question ends with a “?” at the end of the sentence.

 Kannst du mir sagen, ob ich Hausaufgaben machen muss? 

(Can you tell me whether I have to do homework?)

→ The main clause “Kannst du mir sagen” has the verb in position 1 → the main clause is a question, so the indirect question ends with a “?”

• If the main clause is a statement (The verb is in position 2) then the indirect question ends with a “.” at the end of the sentence.

            & nbsp;Ich würde gerne wissen, wo man diese Bücher kaufen kann. 

(I would like to know where one can buy these books.)

→ The main clause “Ich würde gerne wissen” has the verb in position 2 → the main clause is an affirmative statement, so the indirect question ends with a “.”

3. Common main clauses (Hauptsatz): 

- Ich würde gern(e) wissen, …………

- Ich wüsste gern,............

- Können Sie mir sagen/Kannst du mir sagen,...........

- Wissen Sie/Weißt du,............

- Ich weiß nicht mehr,......

…………….