







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 pay for it? | これ弁償した方がいいと思う? |
| Do you know how the girls are getting to Soho? | 女の子たちがどうやってソーホーに行くか知ってる? |
| Does it mean you are going to ask for some commission? | それって手数料を請求するってこと? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | 次はいつ家を見に行くの? |
| Do you think it's a good idea? | 良いアイデアだと思う? |
| When do you think we can have the meeting? | いつ僕たちはミーティング出来ると思いますか? |
| But why do you think we should leave the house? | でも、どうして僕たちが家を出るべきだなんて思うんだい? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | 次のお家も見るべきかしら? |
| Yes, I'm ready, do you think I'll need a jacket? | えぇ、準備できたわ。ジャケット必要だと思う? |
| Can you tell me where you are taking me first? | まずはどこに連れてってくれるのか教えてくれないかな? |
| Do you know what time it is? | 今何時かわかる? |
| Do you really think you want to solve the problem? | きみ、本当に問題を解決する気があるのかい? |
| Erm, what do you think she could do to them? | でも、彼女があいつらに何かできると思う? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | 私たち買った方がいいと思う? |
| Hey, don't you think Diego would like to join us, too? | ねえ、ディエゴも私たちに加わってくれるかしら? |
| How much do you think there is? | どれくらいあると思う? |
| Can you please tell me where it is? | それは、どこにあるのか教えてくれます? |
| Can you tell me, Nick, how much they pay, please? | ニック、彼らがいくら払ってるのか教えてくれるかい? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | 7 時半よ! 誰なのかしら? |
| How long do you think it will take? | ミーティングはどれくらいかかるの? |