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 make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
