Indirect offers, suggestions, and advice. Indirect exclamations.

Greeting and leave-taking in indirect speech

When converting offers and suggestions into indirect speech, we use the verbs to offer and to suggest. There is a difference between these two verbs, though both are rendered in Russian by 'предложить': the person who makes an offer intends to do the action himself, and the action is an act of kindness. A suggestion may also be an act of kindness, but not necessarily; the person who makes a suggestion may or may not intend to do the action himself. (He said to her, "Shall I fetch you a glass of water?" She said, "Do, please” ("No, don't trouble.") - He offered to fetch her a glass of water and she accepted the offer (declined the offer)). Note. — If the verb to suggest is followed by a subordinate clause, the predicate of the subordinate clause is expressed by a verb in the analytical form of the Subjunctive Mood with the auxiliary should.

Sentences expressing advice are converted into indirect speech by means of the verb to advise. (He said to them, "You had better take a taxi, you may be late." - He advised them to take a taxi, as otherwise they might be late).

When exclamations are converted into indirect speech, it is not so much the verb as the adverbial modifier which shows the character of the exclamation — whether it expresses joy, sorrow, surprise, etc. (She said, "How pleasant! Jane is going to spend a week with us!” - She cried joyfully that Jane was going to spend a week with them. She said, 'I am so sorry! Jane is leaving us!" - She said sadly that Jane was leaving them. She said, "I am sure we'll never meet again." - She said regretfully she was sure they would never meet again. She said to them, "I'm sure you’ll soon forget me.” - She said with bitterness that she knew (was sure) they would soon forget her. She said to him, "You are telling a lie!" - She cried indignantly that he was telling a lie. She said to him, "Do you mean to say you've already read all the books?" - She asked in surprise if he had really read all the books.

When converting greetings and leave-taking into indirect speech, we use such verbs as to greet, to welcome, etc. (She said to them “How do you do?” – She greeted them. He said to them “Happy to see you at my place” – He welcomed them. He said to them “Good-by” – He bade them good-by. He said to them “Good night” – He wished them good night)