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 really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| 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 know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Tu ne penses pas que c'ets mieux d'habiter à l'étage? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| 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 ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| 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 think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
