by Dr. Radut

English Grammar: Direct and Indirect Speech

In English, direct speech and indirect speech (also called reported speech) are used to communicate what someone said. The difference between these two forms lies in how the speaker’s words are presented. Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, while indirect speech conveys the message in a paraphrased manner. Understanding the rules for transforming direct speech into indirect speech is essential for clear communication.

Direct Speech

Direct speech involves quoting the speaker’s exact words. Quotation marks are used to indicate that the words are directly from the speaker.

Structure: Subject + Reporting Verb + Comma + Quotation Marks + Exact Words + Quotation Marks

Example: John said, "I am going to the store."

In this example, the exact words spoken by John are quoted within the quotation marks, which makes it direct speech.

Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves paraphrasing what someone said, without using the exact words. This usually involves changing the tense of the original speech and sometimes adjusting pronouns, time expressions, or other details to fit the context.

Structure: Subject + Reporting Verb + That + Reported Speech

Example: John said that he was going to the store.

In this example, John's words are reported indirectly. The tense has changed from "am" (present) to "was" (past), and there are no quotation marks because the sentence is paraphrased.

Changing Tenses in Indirect Speech

When transforming direct speech into indirect speech, the verb tenses often shift according to the time of reporting. This is called backshifting. Here are the general rules for changing tenses:

  • Present simple → Past simple
  • Present continuous → Past continuous
  • Present perfect → Past perfect
  • Past simple → Past perfect

Direct Speech: "I am happy," she said.

Indirect Speech: She said that she was happy.

In this example, the present simple "am" changes to the past simple "was" when the speech is reported.

Changing Pronouns and Time Expressions

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, pronouns and time expressions often need to be changed to reflect the new context. Here are some common changes:

  • Pronouns: "I" changes to "he" or "she" depending on the speaker.
  • Time Expressions: Words like "now," "today," or "tomorrow" often change in reported speech.

Direct Speech: "I will call you tomorrow," he said.

Indirect Speech: He said that he would call me the next day.

In this example, the pronoun "I" changes to "he," "you" changes to "me," and "tomorrow" changes to "the next day."

Reporting Questions

When reporting questions, the word order changes, and the question mark is dropped in indirect speech. If the question starts with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how), that word remains in the sentence. If the question is a yes/no question, "if" or "whether" is used in the indirect speech.

Yes/No Questions:

Direct Speech: "Are you coming to the party?" she asked.

Indirect Speech: She asked if I was coming to the party.

Wh- Questions:

Direct Speech: "Where do you live?" he asked.

Indirect Speech: He asked where I lived.

Reporting Commands, Requests, and Advice

When reporting commands or requests, "to" + infinitive is often used in indirect speech. For advice, the reporting verb "advise" is commonly used.

Direct Speech (Command): "Close the door," he said.

Indirect Speech: He told me to close the door.

Direct Speech (Request): "Please help me," she said.

Indirect Speech: She asked me to help her.

Direct Speech (Advice): "You should see a doctor," she said.

Indirect Speech: She advised me to see a doctor.

Common Reporting Verbs

In addition to "say" and "tell," there are many other reporting verbs that can be used to report speech more accurately. These include:

  • Ask
  • Advise
  • Suggest
  • Explain
  • Promise
  • Warn
  • Apologize

Example: She apologized for being late.

Common Mistakes with Direct and Indirect Speech

Some common mistakes include:

  • Forgetting to backshift tenses when necessary.
  • Not adjusting pronouns or time expressions to match the context.
  • Using incorrect word order in reported questions.

Mistake: He said, "I am tired," that he was tired. (Incorrect)

Correction: He said that he was tired. (Correct)

In the correct version, the quotation marks are removed, and the sentence is properly backshifted and paraphrased.