English (UK)
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 | |
|---|---|
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | |
| Do you think we should buy it? | |
| Do you know how old this station is? | |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | |
