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 ? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| 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. |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Tu penses vraiment régler le problème? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Tu penses qu'on peut se voir quand? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Tu ne penses pas que tu es un peu trop en colère? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Tu sais s'il a une petite amie ? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Tu sais combien coûtent les tickets? |
| 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 know how old this station is? | Saurais-tu quel âge a cette station? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| 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 ? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| 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 we should see the next house? | Tu pense qu'on devrait visiter la prochaine maison? |
| Do you think she is good? | Pensez-vous qu'elle soit bien ? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Tu penses que ça sera prêt dans combien de temps? |
