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 make a reservation? | Pensi che dovremmo prenotare? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | Puoi dirmi, Nick, quanto pagano, per favore? |
| Do you know why they built this enormous pier? | Sai perché hanno costruito questo molo enorme? |
| Don't you think he is a nice guy? | Non pensi sia un bravo ragazzo? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | Significa che chiederai una commissione? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | Pensi che possiamo farlo uscire? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | Pensi che sia una buona idea? |
| 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? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | Quando pensi di cercare nuovamente delle case? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | Ma perché pensi che dovremmo lasciare la casa? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | Sai quanto costano i biglietti? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | Puoi dirmi dove mi porti prima? |
| Do you know what time it is? | Lo sai che ore sono? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | Hai un piano su cosa fare adesso? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | Sai di che colore è la confezione? |
| How long do you think it will take? | Quanto tempo pensi ci vorrà? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | È una pazzia, pensi che possiamo trattare sui prezzi? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | Quanto pensi che costerebbe affittare una casa? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | Sono le 7:30! Chi pensi possa essere? |
| Where do you think we can get a house? | Dove pensi che possiamo trovare una casa? |
