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 | |
|---|---|
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| 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? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| 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? |
