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Indirect question Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( Indirect question phrase + question word / if / whether + subject + verb )

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:

Could you tell me...?
Do you know...?
Have you any idea...?
Can you tell me...?

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
Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then?	谁想啊？那么你能告诉我你想住哪里吗？
Can you please tell me where it is?	你能告诉我它在哪里吗？
How much do you think renting a house would cost?	租一个房子你觉得要花多少钱？
Do you think we should make a reservation?	你觉得我们要先预订下吗？
Do you think we should see the next house?	你觉得我们还要去看下一个房子吗？
Do you think it will help us get a table?	你觉得这会帮助我们得到一个桌子吗？
Do you know what time it is?	你知道现在几点了吗？
Can you tell me what you are planning then?	那你能告诉我你的计划吗？
Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please?	尼克，请告诉我，他们付多少呢？
Do you think it's a good idea?	你认为是个好主意吗？
How many people do you think you are going to cook for?	你觉得你要做给几个人吃？
Where do you think we can get a house?	你觉得我们可以在哪里租到一个房子？
Do you think they are doing fine?	你觉得它们相处得还可以吗？
Do you think we can let him go out?	你觉得我们能让它出去吗？
Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then?	是啊，我忘了这个，那么你觉得几点见面好呢？
Erm, what do you think she could do to them?	额，你觉得她会对他们做什么呢？
Do you think we can find it there?	你觉得我们能在那里买到吗？
Do you think she is good?	你认为她很棒吗？
How long do you think it's going to take to be ready?	你觉得要多长时间才能做好？
Don't you think it's better to live upstairs?	你不觉得住在楼上更好吗？

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