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Reference

Passing on what you heard

A verb ending that means "apparently": you pass it on without vouching for it.

All grammar
The ending that carries it
-vat
Called
kaudne kõneviis
the quotative, or oblique mood in an English grammar book

What it is for

  • Rumors, hearsay and things you read somewhere

    • Tammetõrude rohkus ennustavat karmi talve.

      An abundance of acorns is said to predict a harsh winter.

    • Aus ülestunnistus pidavat karistust kergendama.

      An honest confession is said to lighten the punishment.

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  • Common in the news, where who said it matters
  • Can sound doubtful, depending on how it's said

    • Mees väidab end mitte teadvat, kuhu ta auto jättis.

      The man claims he does not know where he left his car.

    • Kohus andis hagi tagasi, sest see olevat puudulikult koostatud.

      The court returned the statement of claim because it was allegedly poorly drafted.

    • Watch out

    English needs a word like "apparently". Estonian does it with a verb ending, so it's easy to read straight past it and take a rumor as fact.

    Where the course teaches it

    3 units
    • Passing on what you heardB2Pass on hearsay with the mood Estonian keeps for it, and notice when it's used on you.
    • Law and justiceB2Understand a legal notice and describe a dispute and how it ended.
    • The world outsideC1Follow international news and describe a country's diplomatic position.

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