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 have a plan about what you are going to do now? | |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | |
| Do you know what time it is? | |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| Do you think we can find it there? | |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | |
