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 should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| 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? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| Do you think she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | Per quante persone pensi di dover cucinare? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | Sai dov’è la cucina? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | Sai quanto è vecchia questa stazione? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
