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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 | |
|---|---|
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| How much do you think there is? | ¿Cuánto crees que hay? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | ¿Sabes si tiene novia? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | ¿Podrías por favor explicarnos por qué nosotros tenemos que pagar £30 más por semana? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | ¿Cuándo crees que irás a buscar casas otra vez? |
