English (UK)
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 see the next house? | |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | |
| How much do you think there is? | |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | |
| Do you think we can find it there? | |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | |
| Do you know what time it is? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | |
| Do you know how old this station is? | |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | |
