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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Puoi spiegarmi perché dobbiamo pagare £ 30 di più a settimana per favore? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
