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Indirect question Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( Indirect question phrase + question word / if / whether + subject + verb )

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:

Could you tell me...?
Do you know...?
Have you any idea...?
Can you tell me...?

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
How much do you think there is?	家里有多少，你觉得？
Don't you think he is a nice guy?	你不觉得他很不错吗？
Can you tell me what you are planning then?	那你能告诉我你的计划吗？
Who would? Can you tell me where you want to live then?	谁想啊？那么你能告诉我你想住哪里吗？
It's seven thirty! Who do you think it could be?	7点半! 你觉得会是谁呢？
How much do you think renting a house would cost?	租一个房子你觉得要花多少钱？
Do you think you are a good cook?	你觉得自己是一个好厨师吗？
How long do you think it's going to take to be ready?	你觉得要多长时间才能做好？
I'm still checking, do you think I can try some bugs here?	我还在看，你觉得我尝一尝这里虫子，怎么样？
Do you think we should buy the return tickets now?	你觉得我们现在应当购买返程票吗？
Do you think they are doing fine?	你觉得它们相处得还可以吗？
Can you tell me where you are taking me first?	你能先告诉我要带我去哪里吗？
Do you think I should take Pogo out of his box?	你觉得我应该将波哥从它的盒子里取出来吗？
Yeah, I forgot that, when do you think we can meet, then?	是啊，我忘了这个，那么你觉得几点见面好呢？
That's insane, do you think we can negotiate the prices?	太疯狂了，你觉得我们可以讨价还价吗？
Don't you think you are getting a bit too angry?	你不觉得自己有些过于愤怒了吗？
Don't you think it's better to live upstairs?	你不觉得住在楼上更好吗？
Do you know where the kitchen is?	你知道厨房在哪儿吗？
Do you really think you want to solve the problem?	你真的认为你想解决问题吗？
Do you think we should see the next house?	你觉得我们还要去看下一个房子吗？

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