







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 it's a good idea? | 良いアイデアだと思う? |
| How much do you think renting a house would cost? | お家を借りるとするといくらぐらいかかるか分かる? |
| Do you think she is good? | 彼女は優れた獣医だと思う? |
| 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 know what time it is? | 今何時かわかる? |
| Can you explain why we have to pay £30 more per week please? | どうして週に 30 ポンドも多く払わなきゃいけないのか説明してくれるかい? |
| Do you know where the kitchen is? | キッチンがどこか分かるかい? |
| That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices? | ありえないわね。価格交渉できるかしら? |
| 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? |
| When do you think you are going to look for houses again? | 次はいつ家を見に行くの? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we can let him go out? | 彼を行かせてあげてもいいと思う? |
| Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box? | ポゴをケージから出した方がいいと思う? |
| 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? |
| Don't you think it's better to live upstairs? | 上の階に住む方が良いと思わないの? |
| Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry? | 少し怒り過ぎてるとは思わない? |
| Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then? | そうだろ? それじゃあどこに住みたいか言ってごらん? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | 私たち買った方がいいと思う? |
| Do you think we should pay for it? | これ弁償した方がいいと思う? |
| Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then? | そうだったわね、忘れてたわ。それじゃあいつ会えるかしら? |