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 ? |
| 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 ? |
| How much do you think there is? | Combien il y en a-t-il, à ton avis ? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Tu penses qu'on peut le laisser sortir? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Mais pense-tu que nous devrions quitter la maison ? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| 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. |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Penses-tu que nous devrions l'acheter? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
