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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Wann denkst du wirst du dich wieder nach Häusern umsehen? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Denkst du, wir können das dort finden? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Denkst du nicht, dass er ein netter Kerl ist? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| 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 know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| 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 think we should buy the return tickets now? | Meinst du wir sollten uns jetzt schon die Fahrscheine für den Rückweg kaufen? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| Do you think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Kannst du mir dann sagen was du vor hast? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
