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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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 know if he has got a girlfriend? | ¿Sabes si tiene novia? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ¿Crees que debería sacar a Pogo de su caja? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo cree que se tarde? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ¿No crees que es mejor vivir arriba? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| 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 old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
