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 | |
|---|---|
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| 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 ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| 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 how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| 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? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
