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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 really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | ¿Puedes decirme por favor dónde está? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | ¿Cuándo crees que irás a buscar casas otra vez? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| 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 we can get a house for 1200 per month. | ¿No crees que podamos conseguir una casa por 1200 al mes? |
