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 know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
