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 why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | Pensi che dovremo vedere la prossima casa? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| 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? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | Sto ancora guardando, pensi che posso provare qualche insetto qui? |
| How much do you think there is? | Quanto pensi ce ne sia? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | Pensi che dovremo pagarlo? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | Mi dici per favore dov’è? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | Sai in che modo le ragazze vogliono arrivare a Soho? |
| Do you think they are doing fine? | Pensi che stanno andando bene? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | Pensi che dovremo comprarlo? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | Ehi, non pensi che anche Diego vorrebbe unirsi a noi? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | Credi che dovrei fare uscire Pogo dalla sua gabbietta? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | Pensi di essere un buon cuoco? |
| Can you tell me what you are planning then? | Puoi dirmi che cosa hai in mente allora? |
| Do you think we should make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
