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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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | ¿Crees que podemos encontrarlo allí? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | ¿Crees que deberíamos hacer una reservación? |
| How much do you think there is? | ¿Cuánto crees que hay? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | ¿A qué hora crees que saldrás? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprarlo? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | ¿No te parece que es un buen tipo? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Sí estoy lista, ¿crees que necesitaré una chaqueta? |
| 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 we should pay for it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos pagarlo? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, ¿qué crees que les podría hacer? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | ¿Sabes si tiene novia? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | ¿Eso significa que vas a pedir una comisión? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | ¿Sabes dónde está la cocina? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hey, ¿no crees que Diego también se nos podría unir? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | ¿Cuánto crees que tardará en estar listo? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | ¿Tienes un plan sobre qué vas a hacer ahora? |
