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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
