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 she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
