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 think we should pay for it? | Denkst du wir sollten dafür zahlen? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Denkst du nicht, dass wir ein Haus für 1200 pro Monat finden können? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| 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? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Es ist 7:30 Uhr! Wer meinst du könnte das sein? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Wann denkst du wirst du dich wieder nach Häusern umsehen? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| 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 have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hast du schon einen Idee was du jetzt machen wirst? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Bedeutet das, dass du eine Provision verlangst? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
