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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 it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | ¿Sabes si tiene novia? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | ¿Para cuántas personas crees que vas a cocinar? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
