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 you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Denkst du nicht, dass er ein netter Kerl ist? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| 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 how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| 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 let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hast du schon einen Idee was du jetzt machen wirst? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
