In speaking, we sometimes ask two questions together. The first question is just an introduction for the listener. We use these especially when we don’t want to be too direct:
[1] What do you think about this building? [2] I mean, do you like it?
(The first question introduces the topic of the building, the second one asks a more specific question about it. The listener answers the second question.)
[1] Do you miss home? [2] Like, do you miss your mother’s cooking?
(The first question introduces the topic of missing home, the second one asks a more specific question about it. The listener answers the second question.)
Two-stepyes-noquestions
We sometimes useyes-noquestions one after the other. The first question is an introduction to the topic and the speaker usually knows the answer. The second question is more specific.
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The first question is introductory. A knows that B usually drives to college. The second question is more specific. By asking the question in two stages, the speaker is being less direct with the listener. | A asks B for a lift to college all in one question. This is correct too, but it is slightly more direct. |
Pre-questions in two-step questions
Sometimes we ask if we can ask a question. This is very polite:
A:Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
B:Sure.
A:Do you like Janie?
B:Well, most of the time, I do.
In formal contexts, such as interviews, we commonly use these polite pre-questions before we ask the main question:
May I ask you a question about your last job?Why did you leave it?
We can addjustandpleaseto make them even more polite:
Polite | More polite |
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See also:
Politeness
Two-step questions that suggest the answer
We also use two-step questions to first ask a question and then suggest an answer with a rising or fall-rising intonation. The speaker is quite sure of the answer and wants the listener to confirm it:
Where are you from, Helen?Manc↗hester?
A:When’s our flight?Aroun↘d ei↗ght?
B:Yeah, 8.10 am.
See also:
Intonation andyes-noquestions