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? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| 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? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
