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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 | |
|---|---|
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprarlo? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | ¿Sabes si tiene novia? |
