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 it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| 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? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
