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 we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Tu ne penses pas que c'ets mieux d'habiter à l'étage? |
| 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? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| 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? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
