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 what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| 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. |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| 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 if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| 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 know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| 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 ? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
