Italiano
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 know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | Quando pensi che potremo fare il meeting? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | Già, dimenticavo, quando pensi che possiamo vederci, allora? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | Non credi sia meglio vivere al piano di sopra? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | Non pensi che possiamo prendere una a casa per 1200 al mese? |
