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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| 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? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Es ist 7:30 Uhr! Wer meinst du könnte das sein? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Denkst du, die beiden kommen klar miteinander? |
| 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? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Wie lange denkst du, wird es dauern, bis er fertig ist? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Wann denkst du, können wir uns treffen? |
| 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? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
