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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 think she is good? | ¿Crees que sea buena? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | ¿Cuándo crees que irás a buscar casas otra vez? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
