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 you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| 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? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Wie lange denkst du, wird es dauern, bis er fertig ist? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Bedeutet das, dass du eine Provision verlangst? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Wann denkst du wirst du dich wieder nach Häusern umsehen? |
| 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? |
| 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 think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| 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 it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| 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? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
