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 she is good? | Tu pensi sia brava? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | Pensi davvero che vuoi risolvere il problema? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | Non credi che ti stai arrabbiando un po’ troppo? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | Chi vorrebbe? Puoi dirmi allora dove vuoi vivere? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | Quando pensi di partire? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | Quanto tempo pensi ci voglia perché sia pronto? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Do you know if he has got a girlfriend? | Sai se ha una ragazza? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | Pensi che possiamo trovarlo là? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | Pensi che ci aiuterà ad avere un tavolo? |
| 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? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | Erm, cosa pensi che potrebbe fare a loro? |
