indirect question

noun

1. a question reported in indirect speech, as in She asked why you came Compare direct question

Example Sentences

“As a talent evaluator, if the indirect question is, ‘Is Diego good enough to play at the top level in Europe?’

From Los Angeles Times

Where she would ask sighted visitors how they would interpret a piece of art based on what they see, she might ask an Art Beyond Sight group a more indirect question such as, “Why would someone have their portrait painted?”

From Seattle Times

At the Toronto news conference, a moderator paid by Searchlight mostly kept the focus on the movie, asking just one indirect question about the assault. 

From Washington Post

No question mark is wanted after an indirect question like this.

From New York Times

“International lenders as well as the leaders of New Democracy and Pasok view the upcoming votes in Parliament as an answer to this indirect question of whether Greece should remain part of the euro zone or not, something like a referendum.”

From BusinessWeek