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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? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | ¿Para cuántas personas crees que vas a cocinar? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | ¿No crees que podamos conseguir una casa por 1200 al mes? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | ¿Puedes decirme por favor dónde está? |
| How much do you think there is? | ¿Cuánto crees que hay? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
