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 | |
---|---|
Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Oui, je suis prête. Tu penses que j'aurai besoin d'un gilet? |
Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Je suis encore entrain de regarder, penses-tu que je peux essayer quelques insectes ici ? |
When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |