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 | |
|---|---|
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Pour combien de personnes envisages-tu de cuisiner? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Tu sais quelle heure il est? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Tu pense qu'on devrait acheter les tickets de retour maintenant? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Tu penses être un bon cuisinier? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Tu penses que c'est une bonne idée? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Combien penses-tu qu'une location de maison coûterait ? |
| 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 ? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Hé, ne penses-tu pas que Diego voudrait nous rejoindre également ? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Hum, tu penses qu'elle peut leur faire quoi? |
| 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? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Tu peux me dire où elle est? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Penses-tu qu'on devrait faire une réservation ? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Savez-vous comment les filles se rendent-elles à Soho ? |
| 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 have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Est-ce qu'il te reste un plan pour la suite? |
| 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 explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Tu peux m’expliquer pourquoi on doit payer 30£ de plus par semaine? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sais-tu de quelle couleur est l'emballage? |
