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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 tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | ¡Son las siete y media! ¿Quién crees que pueda ser? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | ¿Cuándo crees que podremos tener la reunión? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprar los billetes de vuelta ahora? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | ¿De verdad crees que quieres solucionar el problema? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | ¿No crees que es mejor vivir arriba? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | ¿Dónde crees que podemos conseguir una casa? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sigo revisando, ¿crees que puedo probar algunos insectos aquí? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | ¿No crees que podamos conseguir una casa por 1200 al mes? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | ¿Cuánto crees que cueste rentar una casa? |
