Indirect Statements

Indirect statements are generally introduced by the verbs to say, to tell, to announce and in official style by the verb to inform. (If the person addressed is mentioned after the verb to announce, the preposition “to” must be used. With the verb to inform the person addressed must be mentioned.)

e.g. The monitor said to us, “There will be a meeting tonight.” – The monitor said/ told us/ announced (to us)/informed us that there would be a meeting that night.

The verb to say is used to introduce both direct and indirect speech if the person addressed is not mentioned. If the person is mentioned, the verb to tell is preferable in indirect speech. The verb “to tell” is used to introduce indirect speech only.

e.g. She said to us, “I’ve received an interesting letter.” – She told us she had received an interesting letter.

Note: 1. The verb “to speak” never introduces indirect speech because it is never followed by an object clause (It can only be followed by an object clause with a preposition). That’s why Він говорив, що любить музику should be rendered in the following way: He said he was fond of music.

2. The verb “to speak” cannot take a direct object, unless it is the name of a language or the noun “truth” (“to speak the truth”). Він говорив багато цікавого should be rendered as He said many interesting things.

Other verbs are also used to introduce statements. According to the character of the statement, the verbs to promise, to remark, to remind, to admit, to assure, to deny, etc. are frequently used.

e.g. She said to them, ”I’ll certainly come in time.” – She assured them that she would come in time.

Indirect Questions

1. There is no inversion in indirect questions. (Word order is the same as in statements.)

2. An indirect general question is introduced by the conjunction “if” or “whether”.

e.g. He asked me, “Will you be here tomorrow?- He asked me whether(if) I would be there the next day.

Note: The indirect question is always introduced by “whether” and not “if” if it includes the conjunction ‘or’:

e.g. I have asked him whether he will go there or stay at home.

If a complete sentence follows the conjunction “or”, “whether” must be repeated:

e.g. I don’t know whether they will all go there or whether A. will go there alone.

3. While converting answers to general questions the words “yes” or “no” are omitted:

He asked her, “Do you want to see the new film?” She answered, “Yes, I do.” (“No, I don’t.”)

He asked her whether she wanted to see the new film. She answered that she did (that she didn’t).

4. If a direct question to the subject contains the link-verb ‘to be’, the direct order of words is not always strictly observed.

e.g. He asked, “Who is that man?” –He asked who the man was, or He asked who was the man.

5. Indirect questions are generally introduced by the verb “to ask”. In more official style the verb “to inquire” is used.

e.g. She called at the office and said, “When does the secretary usually come?” – She called at the office and inquired when the secretary usually came.

In converting answers the verbs ‘to answer’ and ‘to reply’ are generally used.