Español
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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | ¿Sabes de qué color es el paquete? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
