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 | |
---|---|
Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Non pensi che possiamo prendere una a casa per 1200 al mese? |
I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |