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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | ¿Podrías por favor explicarnos por qué nosotros tenemos que pagar £30 más por semana? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | ¿Cuándo crees que irás a buscar casas otra vez? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | ¿Para cuántas personas crees que vas a cocinar? |
