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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Puoi spiegarmi perché dobbiamo pagare £ 30 di più a settimana per favore? |
| 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 know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
