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 | |
|---|---|
| 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? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
