Italiano
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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
