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 | |
|---|---|
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, denkst du nicht, dass Diego auch mitkommen möchte? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Denkst du nicht, dass du dich etwas zu sehr aufregst? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Was meinst du wie viel es kosten würde ein Haus zu mieten? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Denkst du, wir können das dort finden? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Denkst du wir sollten uns das nächste Haus ansehen? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Ja, ich bin bereit. Denkst du, dass ich eine Jacke brauchen werde? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Weißt du wie viel die Fahrscheine kosten? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Wie lange denkst du, wird das dauern? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Denkst du wir sollten reservieren? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Denkst du die Idee ist gut? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Weißt du wie alt dieser Bahnhof ist? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Nick, kannst du mir bitte sagen wie viel sie bezahlen? |
| 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? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Weißt du wo die Küche ist? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo es ist? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Aber warum denkst du sollten wir das Haus verlassen? |
| How much do you think there is? | Was meinst du, wie viel noch übrig ist? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Das ist Wahnsinn. Meinst du wir können die Preise verhandeln? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Kannst du mir zuerst sagen, wohin du mich bringst? |
