How To Turn A Question Into A Statement? Essential Grammar Tips For Statements

There are two meta ways in which a question can be asked, that being answering a question directly and reporting that a question has been requested. In both cases, the intent of the sentence is to elicit a response from the listener, but the way of presenting or delivering the sentence is fundamentally different. As you already know, there are many types of sentences in English, with interrogative sentences being frequently used to ask questions. However, declarative sentences are also used very often to present statements that report questions rather than the speaker asking the question themself. The line between an interrogative or declarative sentence asking a question needs to be blurred very skillfully, which might lead you to ask, ‘How to turn a question into a statement?’ In this blog, we will be answering that very same question and seeing how you can transform a question into a statement.

Why Is ‘Question To Declarative Conversion’ Needed?

Before we get to the ins and outs of turning a question into a statement, have you thought about the need for doing so? If you haven’t, then it’s important to keep in mind that there are several real-world reasons why a question should be asked in a declarative manner instead of an interrogative one. Let us learn why a ‘question to declarative conversion’ is needed in the first place.

To Maintain A Formal Tone

Most academic writing techniques mandate the use of formal language, and turning interrogative to declarative sentences is a good way to ensure formality while asking a question.

For Seamless Integration Into Sentences

Converting sentences allows you to seamlessly weave information, transforming a simple question into a more nuanced and complex issue that would likely compel the listener to give a more detailed answer.

To Avoid Punctuation Errors

The one true rule of writing clear statements is that you always have to end them with a period/full stop. We, as English writers, are pretty much naturally conditioned to end sentences with a full stop, which is why you can avoid unintentional punctuation mistakes by converting questions into statements.

For Reporting Information Objectively

When you think about how to rephrase a question as a statement, it is mostly because you want to present your query in an objective way. The focus shifts from the query to the fact of the investigation, which is a highly recommended way to generate urgency by diverting attention towards the core issue.

To Simplify Complex Sentences

Most importantly, indirect questions eliminate the need for subject-verb inversions and auxiliary verbs like "is," "do," and "did." This is one of the main reasons why question to declarative conversion is highly preferred in academic writing. 

What Makes A Sentence A Statement?

A lot of people seem to get confused by the terms ‘sentence’ and ‘statement,’ as they sound quite similar. Although sentences and statements are sometimes the same thing, they are very different in a foundational sense. A sentence is considered a statement (or in this case, a declarative sentence) when its purpose is to convey information or express a fact, opinion, or belief.

Writing clear statements requires you to be vigilant, as a statement is supposed to be assertive and should have clarity and cohesiveness. Declarative sentences are probably among the most straightforward types of sentences in English, as they only declare something and do not ask a question (interrogative sentences) or express an emotion (exclamatory sentences).

Here are some of the key characteristics of declarative sentences/statements. 

Subject-Verb-Object Order

Statements follow a straightforward, linear word order in most cases.

Ends with a Period

A declarative sentence always ends with a period/full stop to indicate finality and assertion.

Conveys Information

 The main objective of a declarative sentence is to convey information.

No Auxiliary Verb Inversion:

The auxiliary verbs (do, is, did) do not come before the subject.

Top 12 Techniques To Rewrite A Question Into A Statement

There are many things you need to keep in mind while transforming a question into a statement without necessarily eliminating the question part. Here are some grammar tips for statements that will help you transform interrogation into a declaration while keeping the question intact. Here is how to turn a question into a statement.

1) Remove the question word at the beginning

First things first, the original question word (who, what, where, etc.) must be retained in the sentence, but not in the beginning. It should be in the beginning of the embedded clause so that the question becomes less open-ended.

2) Adjust or remove the helping words

One of the most important grammar tips for statements is to remove auxiliary verbs (do, did, and does) as they are always used for direct questions and not for statements that rephrase a question.

3) Reorder sentence structure

 The most important step in this process is to restore the natural subject-verb agreement. In order to perform a question to declarative conversion, you have to ensure that the subject always precedes the verb.

4) Add a declarative verb

 The new statement must always begin with a main verb that signals the reporting of the question. You can use verbs such as "asked," "wondered," "reported," "determined," "investigated," etc.

5) Begin with a clear introductory phrase

 Do not forget to use an introductory phrase to clearly transition your conversation into the reported query. When learning how to turn a question into a statement, you must begin with a brief phrase that establishes the context, even if it is obvious.

6) Turn a rhetorical question into a statement

Rhetorical questions are statements in disguise, so it makes sense to state the implied answer as an assertive statement. Convert interrogative to declarative sentence examples: “Who cares about that detail?” will become “No one cares about that detail.”

7) Write as a direct, assertive statement

Sometimes the best technique to convert a question into a statement is to state the underlying fact directly without using an introductory phrase or an embedded clause. For example: “We should increase the budget” instead of “Shouldn’t we increase the budget?”

8) Use conditional/if-when phrasing

You can use the words ‘if’ or ‘whether’ to introduce a new statement if you are converting a yes/no question into a statement. This signals that your declarative sentence examples are addressing an alternative or a condition.

9) Use passive voice

 Although it is mostly avoided, you can use passive voice to simplify the conversation, as it places the focus on the action being performed rather than the subject of the sentence.

10) Change the verb/tense to fit the context

It is a basic law of grammar at this point, but ensure that the tense of the embedded clause is consistent with the tense of your main declarative verb. If you need help with understanding the laws of grammar, feel free to contact our experts to get grammatical law assignment help.

11) Combine the question and answer in one sentence

 In less formal contexts, you can answer your own question in the same sentence by using a semicolon. For example: “What is the key factor? The key factor is timing.”

12) Practice by rewriting multiple forms/versions

Lastly, practice rewriting a single direct question into declarative sentences multiple times using the tips we have just discussed. This will not only help you in writing clear statements, but it will also improve your grammar and vocabulary substantially.

Common Mistakes To Avoid While Converting A Question Into A Statement

Unfortunately, there are still some challenges that students face while converting questions into statements, and it’s not necessarily their fault. There are so many types of sentences in English that we often forget the exact rules for sentence structure. Here are some mistakes you need to avoid while doing the question to declarative conversion.

Retaining the Auxiliary Verb Inversion

In a direct question, the auxiliary verb always comes before the subject. However, in an indirect question, the natural subject-verb order is restored. For example, use “I wonder if he left” instead of “I wonder if did he leave.”

Forgetting to remove Do/Did/Does

 Make sure to always remove the auxiliary verbs when you rewrite a question into a statement. For example: “She asked what time it was” instead of “She asked what time did it be.”

Leaving the Question Mark

You can look at any question to statement examples and you’ll never see a single rephrased question that still has a question mark. A declarative statement always ends in a period.

Misplacing the Introductory Clause

The introductory clause (where, why, how, etc.) is to be placed immediately after the main verb of the sentence. Avoid sentences like “Why the results varied is what we must determine.” Instead, use “We must determine why the results varied.”

Confusing ‘If’ and ‘Whether’

‘If’ and ‘whether’ are to be used to introduce a clause when you are converting a yes/no question into a statement. If the question does not have a yes or no answer, then always use ‘whether.’

Convert Interrogative To Declarative Sentence Examples

Perhaps the best way you can understand how to turn a question into a statement is through examples, and that’s exactly what we will be doing now. Although question to statement examples seem straightforward at first glance, many people overlook the subtle differences that make the transformed sentences grammatically correct. Here are some examples of declarative sentences that were originally interrogative sentences, plus the exact grammatical change.

When And Why To Avoid This Technique?

You don’t have to turn a question into a statement every single time, as there is a special time and place for everything. The context and audience are the key defining factors that influence your decision to convert a rewrite a question into a statement. Here are some of the places and reasons as to when and why you should avoid converting sentences.

When to avoid converting questions into statements:

Rhetorical Effect and Engagement

In an informal context, a direct question is more preferable, as it eliminates the need for any unnecessary formality. It basically establishes the fact that no hierarchy exists in the conversation.

Asks for a Direct Answer

If you want to genuinely solicit a response from the listener/reader, using a direct question is always more effective. If you look at sentence transformation examples, you’ll see that the question becomes more distant if asked in the form of a statement.

In Direct Quotations

This is obvious, but when you directly quote a question asked by someone else, you will inevitably have to use a direct question. If you want to know how to rephrase a question as a statement, you can overcome this hurdle by simply directly quoting the question.

Why is it important to avoid conversion?

Clarity and Brevity

Asking direct questions is much less time-consuming and straightforward than rephrasing the question as a statement. Just from an efficiency point of view, it is a better technique.

Emphasis and Focus

The best thing about direct questions is that they place emphasis on the uncertain element, that is, the answer that the speaker hopes to elicit. This is especially notable in creative writing, where questions are often used to create a sense of suspense.

Avoiding Awkward Phrasing

Lastly, turning interrogative to declarative sentences might make the conversation more mechanical and boring. Sure, it is a good way to ensure formality, but it can also make you come across as too monotonous.

Conclusion

Now we believe you have the answer to the question, ‘How to turn a question into a statement?’ In the end, we would like to reiterate that converting a question into a statement is helpful both in oral and written communication. You must be mindful of the way you present a question in front of your audience, and the audience is the key determining factor when you rewrite a question into a statement. There are multiple ways to express your opinions and messages in the English language, and we can help you learn the best academic writing techniques that will help you communicate effectively in your research papers. Our experts at Do My Assignment will help you learn fundamental English language skills that are essential for every Australian student for a price so low, you might even consider it negligible!