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 | |
|---|---|
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quand est-ce que tu penses que tu vas en visiter d'autres? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Ouais, j'avais oublié ça, quand penses-tu qu'on peut se rencontrer du coup ? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| 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 ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Tu ne penses pas que c'ets mieux d'habiter à l'étage? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| 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 where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
