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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 have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | ¿Para cuántas personas crees que vas a cocinar? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ¿No crees que es mejor vivir arriba? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
