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 it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| 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 where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
