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? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Weißt du welche Farbe die Verpackung hat? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Kannst du mir dann sagen was du vor hast? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Was meinst du, für wie viele Personen du kochen wirst? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| 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? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Wann denkst du, können wir uns treffen? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| Do you think she is good? | Denkst du, dass sie gut ist? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
