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 I should take Pogo out of his box? | Tu penses que je devrais sortit Pogo de sa boîte? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Penses-tu que ça nous aidera à avoir une table ? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quand est-ce que tu penses que tu vas en visiter d'autres? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Peux-tu me dire ce que tu prévois de faire du coup ? |
| 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 ? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
| 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 ? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Où penses-tu que nous pourrions avoir une maison ? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
