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    Direct Indirect

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    jamesheller993

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Direct Indirect

    Uploaded by

    jamesheller993
    10 views3 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    10 views3 pages

    Direct Indirect

    Uploaded by

    jamesheller993

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Direct & Indirect Speech

    Direct and Indirect Speech refer to two di erent ways of reporting what someone said.
    Understanding their di erences and rules will help you use them correctly.

    1. Direct Speech
     Direct speech reports the exact words of the speaker, enclosed in quotation marks.
     Structure:
    "Speaker + says/said, 'Exact words.' "
    Examples:
     She said, "I am tired."
     John asked, "Are you coming to the party?"

    2. Indirect Speech
     Indirect speech (or reported speech) conveys the meaning of the speaker's words
    without quoting them exactly. It typically involves changes to the verb tense,
    pronouns, and time expressions.
     Structure:
    "Speaker + says/said that + reported statement."
    Examples:
     She said that she was tired.
     John asked if I was coming to the party.

    3. Key Changes from Direct to Indirect Speech


    a) Tense Changes
    When reporting in the past, verbs in direct speech often shift back one tense (backshifting).
    Direct Speech Indirect Speech
    “I am happy” She said she was happy.
    “He is working” She said he was working.
    “They will come tomorrow” She said they would come the next day.
    “I have finished” She said she had finished.
    “I saw him yesterday” She said she had seen him the day before.

     Exceptions: No backshifting is needed if the reporting verb is in the present tense or if


    the statement is still true.
    o Direct: "I like chocolate."
    Indirect: She says she likes chocolate.
    b) Pronoun Changes
    Pronouns are adjusted to match the perspective of the reporter.
     Direct: "I am busy."
    Indirect: He said he was busy.

    c) Time and Place Changes


    Words indicating time and place are often changed to reflect the new context.
    Direct Speech Indirect Speech
    Now Then
    Today That day
    Tomorrow The next day / Following day
    Yesterday The previous day
    Here There

    4. Reporting Questions
    When converting questions into indirect speech, the sentence structure changes, and
    question marks are removed.
    a) Yes/No Questions
     Use if or whether to introduce the question.
     Direct: "Are you coming?"
    Indirect: He asked if I was coming.
    b) Wh-Questions
     Retain the question word (what, why, where, when, how).
     Direct: "Where is she going?"
    Indirect: He asked where she was going.

    5. Reporting Commands, Requests, and Advice


    a) Commands and Requests
     Use to + verb or not to + verb for negative commands.
     Direct: "Close the door!"
    Indirect: He told me to close the door.
     Direct: "Please help me."
    Indirect: She asked me to help her.
    b) Advice
     Use advised + to + verb.
     Direct: "You should study more."
    Indirect: He advised me to study more.

    6. Reporting Modal Verbs


    Some modal verbs change in indirect speech, while others remain the same.
    Direct Speech Indirect Speech
    Will Would
    Can Could
    May Might
    Must Had to
    Shall Should
    Could / Should / Would Stay the same

    Examples:
     Direct: "I will help you."
    Indirect: She said she would help me.
     Direct: "You must finish the work."
    Indirect: He said I had to finish the work.

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