1. Indirect Speech (Indirecte Rede)

Indirect speech is used to report what someone has said without quoting them directly. It’s commonly used in conversations, writing, and storytelling.

1.1 How to Form Indirect Speech

In Dutch, indirect speech usually involves subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like dat (that) or of (if/whether). The word order in the subordinate clause changes: the verb moves to the end.

1.2 Key Features of Indirect Speech

1. Use of "dat" (that):
   When reporting statements, dat introduces the reported clause.

Examples:
Direct: Hij zegt: “Ik ben moe.”
Indirect: Hij zegt dat hij moe is. ("He says that he is tired.")
Direct: Zij zei: “Ik wil gaan.”
Indirect: Zij zei dat ze wilde gaan. ("She said that she wanted to go."

2. Use of "of" (if/whether):
   When reporting yes/no questions, use of instead of dat.

Examples:
Direct: Hij vraagt: “Kom jij morgen?”
Indirect: Hij vraagt of ik morgen kom. ("He asks if I’m coming tomorrow.")
Direct: Zij vroeg: “Ben je ziek?”
Indirect: Zij vroeg of ik ziek was ("She asked if I was sick.")

3. Changes in Pronouns and Tense:
   Adjust the pronouns and verb tense to fit the context of the report.

• Ik → hij/zij (I → he/she).

• Present tense may shift to past tense in reported speech.

Examples:
Direct: Ik ben blij.
Indirect: Hij zei dat hij blij was. ("He said that he was happy.")

1.3 Practice Sentences

Convert the following direct speech into indirect speech:

1. Jij zegt: “Ik leer Nederlands.”
   → Jij zegt dat je Nederlands leert.

2. De leraar vroeg: “Heb je je huiswerk gemaakt?”
   → De leraar vroeg of ik mijn huiswerk had gemaakt.

3. Zij zei: “Wij gaan naar huis.”
   → Zij zei dat zij naar huis gingen.

2. The Passive Voice (Lijdende Vorm)

The passive voice emphasizes the action or the recipient of the action rather than the subject performing it. It’s commonly used in formal writing, instructions, and when the subject is unknown or unimportant.

2.1 How to Form the Passive Voice

In Dutch, the passive voice is formed with worden (to become) or zijn (to be) + the past participle.

• Worden is used for actions happening in the present or future.

• Zijn is used for completed actions in the past.

2.2 Passive Voice Examples

1. Present Tense with Worden:

   • De brief wordt geschreven.
     = "The letter is being written."

   • Het huis wordt geschilderd.
     = "The house is being painted."

2. Past Tense with Zijn:

   • De brief is geschreven.
     = "The letter has been written."

   • Het huis is geschilderd.
     = "The house has been painted."

3. Future Tense with Worden:

   • De brief zal geschreven worden.
     = "The letter will be written."

   • Het werk zal morgen gedaan worden.
     = "The work will be done tomorrow."

2.3 Passive Voice with Unknown Subject

• When the subject is unknown or irrelevant, the passive voice is a good choice. Example:

  • Er wordt veel gepraat over het probleem.
    = "There is a lot of talk about the problem."

2.4 Active vs. Passive Voice

2.5 Practice Sentences

Convert the following active sentences into passive voice:

1. Hij maakt een schilderij.
   → Een schilderij wordt gemaakt door hem.

2. Zij hebben de tafel gedekt.
   → De tafel is gedekt door hen.

3. Ik koop een nieuwe fiets.
   → Een nieuwe fiets wordt gekocht door mij.

3. Summary Chart

Mastering indirect speech helps you report conversations, while the passive voice is essential for formal and professional contexts in Dutch.