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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you think we can let him go out? | |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | |
| How long do you think it will take? | |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | |
| Do you think we can find it there? | |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | |
| Do you think she is good? | |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | |
