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 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? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| 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? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Weißt du wo die Küche ist? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| 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? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Kannst du mir dann sagen was du vor hast? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
