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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | |
| Do you think we should buy it? | |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | |
| How long do you think it will take? | |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | |
| Do you know how old this station is? | |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | |
