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? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| 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 know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| 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 think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
