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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| 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 you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| 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 ? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Tu peux me dire combien ils payent, Nick, s'il te plaît? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quand pensez-vous partir ? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Penses-tu qu'on puisse en trouver là-bas? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Tu sais pourquoi ils ont construit cette énorme jetée? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
