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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| 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 it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| 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 let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| 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? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
