Deutsche
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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Das ist Wahnsinn. Meinst du wir können die Preise verhandeln? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Kannst du mir bitte erklären weshalb wir £30 mehr pro Woche zahlen müssen? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Ich schaue immer noch. Denkst du ich kann hier ein paar Käfer ausprobieren? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Wann denkst du, können wir uns treffen? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Kannst du mir dann sagen was du vor hast? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hast du schon einen Idee was du jetzt machen wirst? |
