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 can let him go out? | |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | |
| Do you know what time it is? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | |
| Do you know how old this station is? | |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | |
