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 they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Oui, je suis prête. Tu penses que j'aurai besoin d'un gilet? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
