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 | |
|---|---|
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Il est 7h30, qui ça pourrait bien être? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Penses-tu que nous allons la payer ? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Qui le voudrait ? Peux-tu me dire où tu voudrais donc vivre ? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Peux-tu me dire où tu m'emmènes d'abord ? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Tu sais où se trouve la cuisine? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Tu penses qu'ils vont bien? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
| 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? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Tu ne crois pas que c'est un gentil gars ? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Oui, je suis prête. Tu penses que j'aurai besoin d'un gilet? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| 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? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
