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 | |
|---|---|
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Puoi spiegarmi perché dobbiamo pagare £ 30 di più a settimana per favore? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
