Study the information about reported questions.
1. We use the verbs ask and want to know in reported speech. Verbs, pronouns, time expressions change in statements. We use the certain order in the sentence.
Paul asked her, “Are you reading a book?”
Paul asked her if she was reading a book.
Paul asked her if she was reading a book.
2. When we have questions with a question words (who, where, how, when, why, what), then the second part of the sentence starts with this word.
“Why do you like playing basketball?”, asked Mary
Mary asked why I liked playing basketball.
3. When we have questions that start with an auxiliary or modal verb, then you should use if or whether when you introduce reported speech.
“Can you help me to arrange a meeting?”, asked Melany
Melany asked if I could help her to arrange a meeting.
