Français
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 | |
|---|---|
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| 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 know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ouais, j'avais oublié ça, quand penses-tu qu'on peut se rencontrer du coup ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quand est-ce que tu penses que tu vas en visiter d'autres? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
