Deutsche
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 | |
|---|---|
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Ich schaue immer noch. Denkst du ich kann hier ein paar Käfer ausprobieren? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Denkst du, wir können das dort finden? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Kannst du mir bitte erklären weshalb wir £30 mehr pro Woche zahlen müssen? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Bedeutet das, dass du eine Provision verlangst? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Kannst du mir dann sagen was du vor hast? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Wer möchte das schon? Kannst du mir dann sagen, wo du leben möchtest? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Denkst du wir sollten ihn kaufen? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
