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? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| 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 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 pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| 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? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
