







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 can let him go out? | 彼を行かせてあげてもいいと思う? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| Do you think it will help us get a table? | そんなんでテーブルが押さえられると思うの? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | そっちで見つけられると思う? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| When do you think you will be leaving? | いつ出発するつもりなの? |
| 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 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? |
| 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 know what time it is? | 今何時かわかる? |
| 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? |
| Don't you think we can get a house for 1200 per month. | 月 1200 でお家を買えると思うんだけど。 |
| Do you think we should buy the return tickets now? | 私たち帰りのチケット買ったほうがいいと思う? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| How long do you think it's going to take to be ready? | 出来上がるまで、どれくらい時間がかかると思う? |
| 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? |