Français
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 | |
|---|---|
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
