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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
