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 think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| 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? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
