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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| 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 we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
