I asked him what the problem was? vs I asked him what was the problem?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. The first phrase 'I asked him what the problem was?' is more commonly used in everyday conversation. The second phrase 'I asked him what was the problem?' is also correct but may sound a bit more formal or old-fashioned.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 3173 views

I asked him what the problem was?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday conversation.

This phrase is used to ask about a specific problem that was previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.

Examples:

I asked him what the problem was, but he didn't want to talk about it.
She asked me what the problem was with the computer.

Show examples from the web [+]

I told him what the problem was.
You know what the problem was?
When I asked him about what the solution to the problem might be, the answer was quite surprising.
I asked him to fix the problem so that more people would not get sick.
Mind if I ask you what the problem was?
When I asked him about what the solution to the problem might be, the answer was quite surprising.
But I already told you what the problem was.
We knew exactly what the problem was.
So I don't understand what the problem was.
What happens if he asks what the problem was?
I'll tell you what the problem was, because I was there.
You wanted to film us so that we could "research" what the problem was.
I never had any doubt, no matter what the problem was.
I shall take note of that and check with the President of the sitting in question what the problem was, and you will receive an explanation in due course.
I asked him if he was having problems, and he just shut down.
Maybe that's what the problem was.
And even with the right algorithm, we had to be very careful with our early experiments, because if we got any of these factors wrong, there was no way to tell what the problem was.
You wanted to film us so that we could "research" what the problem was.
I asked him once if he was okay.
I asked him if he saw anyone there.

Alternatives:

I asked him what the problem was.
I inquired about what the problem was.
I wanted to know what the problem was.
I questioned him about the problem.
I was curious about what the problem was.

I asked him what was the problem?

This phrase is correct but may sound a bit more formal or old-fashioned.

This phrase is also used to ask about a specific problem, but it may sound more formal or old-fashioned compared to the first phrase.

Examples:

I asked him what was the problem, and he explained it to me.
She asked the teacher what was the problem with the assignment.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, what was the problem?
If you weren't sick, then what was the problem?
So, what was the problem?
What was the problem with A.R.D.S?
Indeed, what was the problem in this tragedy?
Good. What was the problem yesterday?
What was the problem with this principle?
When I asked him about what the solution to the problem might be, the answer was quite surprising.
I asked him to fix the problem so that more people would not get sick.
So, what was the problem the other night?
But what was the problem with the Hickory Farms cheese and salami bouquet?
What was the problem, anyway?
When I asked him about what the solution to the problem might be, the answer was quite surprising.
So what was the problem with Zire Motors that you wanted Mr. Church to fix?
What was the problem with the man and his daughter?
So what was the problem with Zire Motors that you wanted Mr. Church to fix?
What was the problem with the two of you?
What was the problem with the way it was?
I asked him if he was having problems, and he just shut down.
Did I say the elevator was the problem?

Alternatives:

I asked him what the problem was.
I inquired about what the problem was.
I wanted to know what the problem was.
I questioned him about the problem.
I was curious about what the problem was.

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I asked him what the problem was? vs I asked him what was the problem?