Français
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 should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Ne penses-tu pas que nous pourrions avoir une maison pour 1200 par mois. |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Tu peux m’expliquer pourquoi on doit payer 30£ de plus par semaine? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
