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 make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| 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? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Wie lange denkst du, wird es dauern, bis er fertig ist? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Denkst du, wir können das dort finden? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Bedeutet das, dass du eine Provision verlangst? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Denkst du nicht, dass er ein netter Kerl ist? |
