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 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? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | C'est fou, penses-tu qu'on peut négocier les prix ? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| 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 time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| 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 ? |
| 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 ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
