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 | |
|---|---|
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Non pensi che possiamo prendere una a casa per 1200 al mese? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
