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 ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Ça veut dire que vous allez demander une espèce d'acompte? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| 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 they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| 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 how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
