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 really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| 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 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? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Weißt du wo die Küche ist? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
