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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 | |
|---|---|
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| How much do you think there is? | ¿Cuánto crees que hay? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| 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? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
