Indirect questions (use 'could you tell me..' and 'do you know...')

[bjay]

hi everyone!

on what context do i use 'could you tell me..' and 'do you know...'?

thanks!

[Conchita]

These questions within questions (also called 'indirect questions') can be used whenever you want to be more formal or polite or don't want to ask a direct question. Examples:

Direct question: What time is it?
Indirect question: (Excuse me), could you tell me what time it is?

Direct: When is the next train to London?
Indirect: Do you know when the next train to London is?

Other examples:

- Would you be so kind/good as to...?
- Would you mind...?
- I wonder if you could...?