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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
