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 think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| 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? |
| 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. |
| 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? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| 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 buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| 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 long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| 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? |
