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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Ne penses-tu pas que nous pourrions avoir une maison pour 1200 par mois. |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| 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 ? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Je suis encore entrain de regarder, penses-tu que je peux essayer quelques insectes ici ? |
