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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, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ¿Puedes decirme, Nick, cuánto pagan ellos? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | ¿Crees que eres un buen cocinero? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | ¿Crees que van a llevarse bien? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | ¿Pero por qué crees que deberíamos salirnos de la casa? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | ¿Puedes primero decirme a dónde me vas a llevar? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | ¿Crees que deberíamos comprarlo? |
| 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 know how the girls are getting to Soho? | ¿Sabes cómo van a llegar las chichas a Soho? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | ¿Sabes cuánto cuestan los billetes? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | ¿Crees que podemos dejarlo salir? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | ¿Quién sí? ¿Puedes decirme entonces dónde te gustaría vivir? |
| 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 think we should see the next house? | ¿Crees que deberíamos ver la siguiente casa? |
| Do you know what time it is? | ¿Sabes qué hora es? |
| 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? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | ¿Sabes los años que tiene esta estación? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Cierto, olvidé eso, ¿entonces a qué hora crees que nos podamos reunir? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | ¿Crees que eso ayudará a que consigamos una mesa? |
