







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 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| Do you have a plan about what you are going to do now? | 今からすることは決めてあるのかい? |
| It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be? | 7 時半よ! 誰なのかしら? |
| Do you know what time it is? | 今何時かわかる? |
| Do you know how much the tickets are? | チケットがいくらか知ってる? |
| I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here? | まだ見てるよ。ここって虫も食べれると思うかい? |
| Do you think we should buy it? | 私たち買った方がいいと思う? |
| 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? |
| Do you know what colour the packet is? | 何色のパッケージか分かる? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| Do you think we can find it there? | そっちで見つけられると思う? |
| How much do you think there is? | どれくらいあると思う? |
| Do you know how old this station is? | この駅がどのくらい古いのか知っている? |
| How many people do you think you are going to cook for? | 君は何人分の料理を作ろうと思ってるの? |
| Do you think we should see the next house? | 次のお家も見るべきかしら? |
| Do you think you are a good cook? | あなたは料理するの上手だと思う? |