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Indirect question Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( Indirect question phrase + question word / if / whether + subject + verb )

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:

Could you tell me...?
Do you know...?
Have you any idea...?
Can you tell me...?

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
How long do you think it's going to take to be ready?	你觉得要多长时间才能做好？
Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please?	请解释下为什么我们每周必须要多付30英镑？
When do you think we can have the meeting?	你觉得我们什么时间可以开会？
Do you think we should buy the return tickets now?	你觉得我们现在应当购买返程票吗？
Do you know what colour the packet is?	你知道包装是什么颜色吗？
When do you think you will be leaving?	你觉得什么时间可以出发？
Erm, what do you think she could do to them?	额，你觉得她会对他们做什么呢？
Do you know how old this station is?	你知道这个车站有多少年的历史了吗？
Do you think we should pay for it?	你觉得我们应该赔吗？
Don't you think he is a nice guy?	你不觉得他很不错吗？
Do you know how much the tickets are?	你知道车票多少钱吗？
Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month.	你觉得我们不能每月1200租一个房子吗？
Do you know where the kitchen is?	你知道厨房在哪儿吗？
How long do you think it will take?	你觉得会议会持续多长时间？
Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry?	你不觉得自己有些过于愤怒了吗？
That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices?	太疯狂了，你觉得我们可以讨价还价吗？
I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here?	我还在看，你觉得我尝一尝这里虫子，怎么样？
Do you think we can let him go out?	你觉得我们能让它出去吗？
When do you think you are going to look for houses again?	你打算什么时候再去找房子？
Do you think we should see the next house?	你觉得我们还要去看下一个房子吗？

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