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 should buy it? | Denkst du wir sollten ihn kaufen? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Wann denkst du, können wir uns treffen? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| 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? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| 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 think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
