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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 | |
|---|---|
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ¿No crees que es mejor vivir arriba? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | ¿Sabés por qué construyeron este enorme muelle? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | ¿Para cuántas personas crees que vas a cocinar? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Do you think she is good? | ¿Crees que sea buena? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
