Italiano
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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
