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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 know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| How much do you think there is? | ¿Cuánto crees que hay? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
