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 | |
|---|---|
| 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? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | Puoi spiegarmi perché dobbiamo pagare £ 30 di più a settimana per favore? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | Si sono pronta, pensi che mi servirà una giacca? |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | Pensi che dovremmo comprare i biglietti di ritorno adesso? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
