







In English, in more formal situations, we often use indirect questions because they sound more polite.
To make a question more polite we often begin with an indirect question phrase such as:
Example questions :
DIRECT QUESTION : Where is the post office?
INDIRECT QUESTION : Do you know where the post office is?
DIRECT QUESTION : What's the time?
INDIRECT QUESTION : Could you tell me what the time is?
DIRECT QUESTION : Does this train go to Brighton?
INDIRECT QUESTION : Can you tell me if this train goes to Brighton?
DIRECT QUESTION : Is there a bank nearby?
INDIRECT QUESTION : Have you any idea whether there is a bank nearby?
Note for use of indirect questions :
If the direct question begins with an auxiliary verb ( no question word), add 'if' or 'whether' after an indirect question phrase to make the question indirect.
We don't use 'if' or whether with Do you think...?
eg. Do you think he's gone to London? NOT Do you think if he's gone to London?
| Indirect question example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ألا تعتقدى انه رجل لطيف؟ |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | هل يمكنك من فضلك ان تخبرنى اين هى؟ |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | هل يمكنكِ أن تخبريني ماذا تخططين إذاً؟ |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | نعم انا جاهزة, هل تعتقد أننى سأكون بحاجة الى معطف؟ |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | هل يمكنك أن تخبرني، يانيك، كم يدفعون، من فضلك؟ |
| Do you know what time it is? | هل تعلمين ماهو الوقت الان؟ |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | هل يمكنك أن تفسر لي لماذا يجب علي أن أدفع 30 يورو إضافية كل اسبوع؟ |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | لكن لماذا تعتقدين أنه يجب علينا مغادرة المنزل؟ |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | هل تعتقد انك طباخ ماهر؟ |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | امم، ماذا تعتقدي انها قد تفعل بهم؟ |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | هل تعتقد انه يجب علينا شراء تذاكر العودة الان؟ |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ومن يريد؟ هل يمكنكِ إخباري أين تريدين أن تعيشي إذًا؟ |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | هل تعتقد اننى يجب أن أخرج بوجو من الصندوق الخاص به؟ |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | هل تعلم ما هى تكلفة التذاكر؟ |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | مازلت أتفقد، هل تعتقدي أنه يمكنني تجربة بعض البق هنا؟ |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ماهى المدة التى سيستغرقها ليكون جاهزاً فى إعتقادك؟ |
| Do you think she is good? | هل تعتقدى أنها جيدة؟ |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | هل تعتقد أنه يجب ان نرى المنزل التالي؟ |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | متى تعتقدى انه يمكننا عمل الإجتماع؟ |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | هل تعلمين ماهو لون العبوة؟ |