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 ? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| 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? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| 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 ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
