3/19/2017

DIRECT AND INDIRECT

SPEECH
Ref: High School English Grammar & Composition
by WREN & MARTIN

Direct Speech
The speech in which the reporter do quote actual words of the
speaker.
we use inverted commas, , to mark off the exact words of the
speaker.
The part contained in the inverted commas may be referred to
as the reported speech.
We use comma , as a separator between the reported and the
reporting speech.
The form of verb used in the reporting speech, called principle
verb, dictates tense of the indirect speech.
E.g. He said , I am unwell.
Reporting speech Separator Reported Speech

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Indirect Speech
The speech that reports what the speaker said without quoting his
exact words.
The separator of the indirect speech gets replaced by using the
conjunction that before the indirect statement.
The pronouns of the direct speech are changed, where
necessary, so that their relations with the reporter and his hearer,
rather than with the original speaker are indicated.
The term that, used as a replacement for the separator, is often
omitted specially in spoken English.
E.g. He said that he was unwell.

Rules for changing Direct into Indirect

The tense of indirect speech will change with respect to
principle verb as follows;
With the principal verb in past;
The shall of future tense gets changed into should.
The will of future Tense is changed into would or should.

Direct Speech Principle verb/tense Tense Modification Indirect Speech

He said, I am unwell. Past Simple present >> Simple past He said that he was unwell

He said, My master is writing letter. Past Present cont. >> Past cont. He said that his master was writing letter.

He said, I have passed the exams. Past Present perfect >> Past perfect He said that he had passed the exams.

He said, The horse died in the night. Past Simple Past >> Past perfect He said that the horse had died in the
night.

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Contd.
The tense of indirect speech may not change if;
The reported speech is true/fact or is still relevant or if it is a universal
truth.
Direct: The earth goes round the sun, said the Teacher.
Indirect: The teacher said that the earth goes/went round the sun
Direct: She said, English is hard to learn.
Indirect: She said that English is/was hard to learn.
The past tense is often used when it is uncertain if the statement is true or
when we are reporting objectively.
Direct: I know her address, said Gopi.
Indirect: Gopi said that she knew her address
If the reporting/principle verb is in the present tense, the tense does not
change.
Direct: He says, I am unwell. He says, the horse died in the night.
Indirect: He says that he is unwell. He says that the horse died in the night.

Interrogative speech
If the question in reported part of direct speech starts with an interrogative
word i.e. what, when, where, how etc. the indirect speech is introduced by
verbs such as asked/inquired etc.
Direct Indirect
He said to me, What are you doing ? He asked me what I was doing.
Where do you live?, asked the stranger The stranger enquired where I live.
You said to him When will you come ? You asked him when he would go.

If the question in reported part of direct speech does not start with an
interrogative word, the reporting verb is followed by whether or if.
Direct Indirect
He said, Will you waste your time watching TV ? He enquired if I would waste my time watching TV.
The policeman said to us, Where are you going ? The policemen enquired where were we going.
Do you suppose you know better than your elders ? His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed
jeered his angry mother that he knew better than his elders.

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Contd.
Commands and requests
The indirect speech is introduced by verbs expressing command/request.
Direct: Subaiyyal said to Romaisa, Go away He shouted, Let me go.
Indirect: Subaiyyal ordered Romaisa to go away. He shouted to them to let him go.
Exclamations and wishes
In reporting exclamations and wishes the indirect speech is introduced
by some verb expression exclamation or wish.
Direct: He said, Alas ! I am undone
Indirect: He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct: Alice said, How clever I am !
Indirect: Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.

DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH

She said, Honesty is the best policy She said that honesty is the best policy.

I said to you, I go to school I told you that I went to school.

They said to us, We have done our work They told us that they had done their work.

He said to me, I am very busy now
Raza said to me, You will go to Lahore
tomorrow
You said to them, These are your pens
He told me that he was very busy then.
Raza told me that I should go to Lahore the next day
You told them that those were their pens.

He said to his mother, I shall come here He told his mother that he would go there.
The teacher said to boys, How are you The teacher asked boys how they were working hard those
working hard these days days.
He said to me, Do not walk bare footed He advised me not to walk bare footed.

He said to me, Please give me your book He requested me to give him my book.

They said, Hurrah ! We have won the match. The exclaimed with joy that they had won the match

He said, May you live long! He prayed that you might live long.