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 | |
|---|---|
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Denkst du nicht, dass es besser ist oben zu wohnen? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hast du schon einen Idee was du jetzt machen wirst? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Denkst du nicht, dass wir ein Haus für 1200 pro Monat finden können? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Denkst du wir sollten ihn kaufen? |
| Do you think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Meinst du wir sollten uns jetzt schon die Fahrscheine für den Rückweg kaufen? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
