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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 know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | ¿Puedes decirme por favor dónde está? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | ¿No crees que podamos conseguir una casa por 1200 al mes? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
