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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 we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ¿No crees que es mejor vivir arriba? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| 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 think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
