Dutch Grammar Quiz: Indirect Speech (Indirecte rede)

Key rules for Indirect Speech

Statements: dat + SOV word order

To report a statement, use dat as the connector. After dat the clause follows SOV order — the finite verb (and any infinitives) move to the end of the clause.

Yes/no questions: of

To report a yes/no question, replace the question with of (whether). The verb still moves to the end of the clause.

Wh-questions: question word as connector

To report a wh-question, keep the question word (waar, hoe, wanneer, wat, wie, hoelang…) as the connector. The verb still moves to the end.

Examples

"Ik heb koorts." → Ze zegt dat ze koorts heeft. — "I have a fever." → She says that she has a fever.
"Je moet meer bewegen." → De dokter zegt dat ik meer moet bewegen. — "You need to move more." → The doctor says that I need to move more.
"De bijwerking is mild." → Hij zegt dat de bijwerking mild is. — "The side effect is mild." → He says that the side effect is mild.
"U moet dit recept ophalen." → De arts zegt dat u dit recept moet ophalen. — "You need to pick up this prescription." → The doctor says that you need to pick up this prescription.
"Heb je pijn?" → Hij vraagt of ik pijn heb. — "Do you have pain?" → He asks whether I have pain.
"Neemt u de medicijnen?" → Ze vraagt of u de medicijnen neemt. — "Are you taking the medication?" → She asks whether you are taking the medication.

Practice: Indirect Speech

Key rules for Indirect Speech

Examples

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Practice: Indirect Speech

Key rules for Indirect Speech

Examples

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