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 it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| 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 think we should buy the return tickets now? | Meinst du wir sollten uns jetzt schon die Fahrscheine für den Rückweg kaufen? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Denkst du nicht, dass es besser ist oben zu wohnen? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Denkst du wirklich du möchtest das Problem lösen? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Denkst du wir können ihn rauslassen? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ja, das habe ich vergessen. Wann sollten wir uns dann treffen? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Weißt du wie die Mädels nach Soho kommen? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Es ist 7:30 Uhr! Wer meinst du könnte das sein? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Wann denkst du, wirst du losgehen? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Weißt du ob er eine Freundin hat? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Denkst du wir sollten ihn kaufen? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Denkst du das wird helfen einen Tisch zu bekommen? |
| 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? |
