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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Weißt du wo die Küche ist? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Denkst du wir sollten ihn kaufen? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| 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? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Denkst du nicht, dass es besser ist oben zu wohnen? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Denkst du, wir können das dort finden? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Es ist 7:30 Uhr! Wer meinst du könnte das sein? |
| Do you think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Wann denkst du wirst du dich wieder nach Häusern umsehen? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
