indirect

Everyday

1. Not going straight: an indirect route. tree →
2. Not said openly or plainly: an indirect answer. tree →
3. Happening as a side result rather than directly: an indirect cause. tree →
4. (grammar) Indirect speech reports what someone said without their exact words; an indirect object receives the thing given (She gave me a book: me). tree →

In the lessons

In grammar (indirect speech, indirect object), science (indirect evidence), maths (indirect proportion), and everyday life (indirect hints). Phrases: indirect speech, indirect object, indirect route, indirect sunlight.

Examples

• We took an indirect route through the park. tree →
• He gave an indirect answer and didn't say yes or no. tree →
• Direct speech: Tom said, I am hungry. Indirect speech: Tom said he was hungry. tree →
• In She gave me a pen, me is the indirect object. tree →
• Some plants like indirect sunlight. tree →
• Smoking is an indirect cause of many illnesses. tree →

Note

Opposite: direct. Adverb: indirectly. Indirect speech: no speech marks and often the tense moves back (am to was). Also called reported speech.