Indirect commands
- You would normally use an indirect command when you 'desire' that
someone do something, but you don't want to 'command' them to do it:
Imperative: Get me the paper!
Indirect command: I want you to get me the paper!
- You would also use an indirect command in reported speech:
Quoted: Father said to Maksim: "Get me the paper!"
Reported: Father said to Maksim, that he should get him the paper.
- Indirect commands in Russian are formed with the conjunction
чтобы placed at the beginning of the subordinate clause, and the verb indicating what is 'desired' in the past tense:
Я хочу, чтобы ты приготовил ужин сегодня.
I want you to prepare
dinner today.
Сергей хотел, чтобы сын дал ему газету.
Sergei wanted his son to
give him the paper.