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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 | |
|---|---|
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | Eso es de locos, ¿crees que podamos negociar los precios? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | ¿No crees que te estás enfadando demasiado? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| 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 think it's a good idea? | ¿Crees que es una buena idea? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | ¿Puedes decirme qué estás planeando, entonces? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| 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 can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
