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 | |
|---|---|
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Wann denkst du, können wir uns treffen? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| 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 why they built this enormous pier? | Weißt du, warum sie diese enorme Seebrücke gebaut haben? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof 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? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Wer möchte das schon? Kannst du mir dann sagen, wo du leben möchtest? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Es ist 7:30 Uhr! Wer meinst du könnte das sein? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
| 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? |
