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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Non pensi che possiamo prendere una a casa per 1200 al mese? |
| 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? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
