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 | |
|---|---|
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| 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. |
| 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 we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| 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's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
