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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Tu peux m’expliquer pourquoi on doit payer 30£ de plus par semaine? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Oui, je suis prête. Tu penses que j'aurai besoin d'un gilet? |
| 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 know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
