DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

In direct speech someones words are rendered exactly as they were uttered. In indirect
speech, by contrast, these words are reported. At the level of writing, the quotation marks, that
are typically English for direct speech, are omitted.
Changes regarding the verb
If the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, then the rules of the sequence of tenses are
applied.

I often write letters. She said that she often wrote letters.

I am writing a letter. He said that he was writing a letter.

I have just seen him. I informed her that I had just seen him.

I solved the problem yesterday. I told them that I had solved the problem the day
before.

I had done such things. He said that he had done such things.

Will you do this tomorrow? I asked him if/ whether he would do that the next day.

They will be talking about salaries tomorrow morning. He said that they would be
talking about salaries next morning.

We will have finished work by 11 oclock. She said they would have finished work by
11 oclock.

Sometimes the past progressive remains unchanged.

I was reading at 9 oclock yesterday. He said he was reading at 9 oclock the day
before.

The past tense simple after since generally doesnt change.

I have been working here since I came to New York. He said he had been working
there since he came to New York.

Changes of modal verbs

All the modals that have a present and a past form generally change the present form into the
past form: shall should, will would, can could, and may might.
Modal verbs like ought, used, need, dare usually remain unchanged.

You ought to know this. He said that I ought to know that.

They used to smoke a lot. She told me that they used to smoke a lot.

You neednt do it now. She told me that I neednt do it then.

He darent jump from this height. She told me that he darent jump from that height.

Modal must remains unchanged whenever it expresses advice, orders, suppositions.

You must be more careful. She told me that I must be more careful.

You must be rather tired. She said that I must be rather tired.

Whenever it expresses necessity or obligation, must is replaced by have (in one of the past
tenses) + long infinitive.

I must get up early tomorrow. He informed us that he had to/ would have to get up
early the following day.

Changes of pronouns and determiners

Personal pronouns are changing according to the logic of the utterance.

You wont like it. She said that I wouldnt like it. I said that she/ he/ they wouldnt
like it. a.s.o.

Demonstratives of nearness are replaced by demonstratives of distance.

I like this dress. She said that she liked that dress.

These rules are very important. She said that those rules were very important.

Changes of adverbials (of place and time)

Nearness is replaced by distance.

Here there

Now then/ at that time

Today that day

Yesterday the day before

Tomorrow the day after/ the following day/ the next day

The day before yesterday two days before

The day after tomorrow two days after/ in two days time

Ago before

Last previous

The adverbials remain unchanged if the speaker reports an utterance in the same place and
approximately at the same time as the direct speaker.

I will come here tomorrow. He said that he would come here tomorrow.

Verbs used to report declarative sentences

Declaratives are reported by verbs such as say, tell, inform, retort, deny, announce, declare,
explain, admit, remark, promise, remind, etc. The use of these verbs depends on the type of speech
act the speaker performs in direct speech.

I will help you. He said/ promised that he would help me.

No, I didnt take that book. He said he hadnt taken that book./He denied taking that
book.

In order to express the speakers attitude, his/ her tone or quality of voice, etc. certain animal
sound verbs or instrument sound verbs are used, e.g.: croak, bray, neigh, quack, bark, etc.; scrape,
rasp, creak, etc.

If you ever do that again you will be fired. He barked that if I ever did that again I
would be fired.

I would rather die than cooperate with you. He rasped that he would rather die than
cooperate with me.

Reported interrogative sentences

The verbs used to report interrogative sentences are mainly ask, wonder, inquire, and the
cluster want to know.

Why did Tom buy that car? He asked/ wondered/ wanted to know/ inquired why
Tom bought that car.

The word order in an indirect question is identical to the one in a declarative sentence.
(Subject + predicate).

Where are you going? She asked me where I was going.

Reported general interrogatives are usually introduced by elements such as if/ whether.

Do you like this? She asked me whether/ if I liked that.

Whenever the predicate of the reported special interrogative is the existential or the link be,
and the special word is a subject or a predicative, the interrogative word order may be preserved;
Standard English prefers the declarative word order.

Who is that girl? He asked who that girl was/was that girl.

The interrogatives which have an imperative function are reported by verbs chosen according
to the speech act each sentence performs; an infinitive is often used in the reported interrogative.

Would you help me? She asked/ begged/ implored me to help her.

Why dont you buy a better dictionary? She suggested to me to buy/ that I should
buy a better dictionary.

Shall I bring you your glasses? Sally offered to bring me my glasses.

Reported imperative sentences.

They are usually rendered by an infinitive. The reporting verbs are used according to the
speech act expressed by each sentence. Basic verbs: ask, beg, implore (for requests); order,
demand, tell (for orders, demands); advise, recommend, warn, etc.

Open the window, please. She asked me to open the window.

Clean the barracks! The officer ordered the soldiers to clean the barracks.

Dont go there! He warned me not to go there.

Reported exclamatory sentences

We include here not only the exclamatory sentences proper, but also the declaratives,
imperatives, and interrogatives which have an exclamatory function. They are usually reported by

a verb modified by an adverbial in order to preserve the emotional charge, and by the specific
verbs exclaim and ejaculate (old-fashioned).

What a delicious cake! The guest exclaimed/said admiringly that the cake was
delicious.

How beautiful she is! He exclaimed (with admiration) that she was beautiful.

You are telling a lie! She cried indignantly/ angrily that I was telling a lie.

I am so sorry Mary is leaving us! She said sorrowfully that Mary was leaving them.
(But also She said she was sorry that Mary was leaving them.)

Do forgive me for what I have done! She begged her forgiveness for what she had
done.

Greetings are reported using verbs such as wish, greet, welcome, etc.

Happy to see you! I welcomed them.

Good night! I wished her good night.

Good bye! I took leave of him/ I bade him good bye/ I said good bye to him.

How do you do! I greeted her.

Interjections are reported either neutrally or with some detailed modification.

Oh! He said oh!/ He gave an exclamation of surprise.