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 see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Wie lange denkst du, wird es dauern, bis er fertig ist? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Wo können wir deiner Meinung nach ein Haus finden? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Denkst du, du bist ein guter Koch? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Bedeutet das, dass du eine Provision verlangst? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Denkst du nicht, dass es besser ist oben zu wohnen? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hast du schon einen Idee was du jetzt machen wirst? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Ähm, was meinst du könnte sie ihnen antun? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Das ist Wahnsinn. Meinst du wir können die Preise verhandeln? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Meinst du wir sollten uns jetzt schon die Fahrscheine für den Rückweg kaufen? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Weißt du wie spät es ist? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Meinst du ich sollte Pogo aus seiner Box nehmen? |
