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 it's better to live upstairs? | Tu ne penses pas que c'ets mieux d'habiter à l'étage? |
| 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 much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| 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? |
| 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 what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| 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 we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| 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? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| 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? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
