







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 | |
|---|---|
| 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؟ |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | امم، ماذا تعتقدي انها قد تفعل بهم؟ |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ألا تعتقدى انه رجل لطيف؟ |
| 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؟ |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | هل تعتقد انهم سيكونون بخير؟ |
| Do you know how old this station is? | هل تعلم ماهو عمر هذه المحطة؟ |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | متى تعتقد انك سوف تغادر؟ |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | هل تعتقد انك طباخ ماهر؟ |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | إنها السابعة والنصف! من تعتقد قد يكون؟ |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ماهى المدة التى سيستغرقها ليكون جاهزاً فى إعتقادك؟ |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ألا تعتقد انه من الأفضل ان تعيش فى الاعلى؟ |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | كم عدد الأشخاص تعتقدى انكِ ستقومين بالطهى لهم؟ |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | هل يمكنك من فضلك ان تخبرنى اين هى؟ |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | لكن لماذا تعتقدين أنه يجب علينا مغادرة المنزل؟ |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | هل لديكِ خطة عما ستفعلينه الآن؟ |
| How much do you think there is? | كم يوجد هناك تعتقد؟ |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | هل تعتقدي أنه يجب علينا القيام بالحجز؟ |
| Do you think we can find it there? | هل تعتقد أنه يمكننا إيجاده هناك؟ |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | هل تعرفين كيف ستذهب الفتيات الى سوهو؟ |