0Direct and Indirect Speech
he word of a speaker may be reported in two ways. 1. Direct Speech
2. Indirect Speech
Direct Speech When we quote the actual words of a speaker, this is called direct speech.
1. Vicki said, “I am very tired now.” Indirect Speech When we report what the speaker said without quoting his exact words, this is called indirect or reported speech. With direct speech we use inverted commas or quotation marks to mark off the exact words of the speaker. With indirect speech we do not.
The verb is changed from present tense to past tense (“am” is changed to “was”), the adverb is changed to “then”, the pronoun is changed in person (“I” is changed to “me”), and the conjunction is used before the indirect statement (often omitted in the English language).
1. Vicki said that he was very tired then. Rules of Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech When the reporting of the principal verb is in the past tense, all present tense of the direct are changed into the corresponding past tense.
● Simple present becomes a simple past.
1. He said, “I am happy.” (direct)
2. He said that he was happy. (indirect)
● Present continuous becomes a past continuous.
1. She said, “I am cooking.” (direct)
2. She said she was cooking. (indirect)
● Present perfect becomes a past perfect.
1. He said, “I have finished the exercise.” (direct)
2. He said that he had finished the exercise. (indirect)
● The Simple past becomes a past perfect.
1. He said, “I won the match last night.” (direct)
2. He said that he had won the match last night. (indirect)
● If the reporting the verb is in the present tense, the tenses of the direct speech do not change.
1. He said, “I am happy.” (direct)
2. He said he was happy. (indirect)
3. He said, “I am cooking.” (direct)
4. He said she was cooking. (indirect)
5. He said, “I have finished the exercise.” (direct)
6. He said he had finished the exercise. (indirect)
7. He said, “I won the match last night.” (direct)
8. He said he had won the match the night before. (indirect)
● 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.
1. She said to me, “I don’t like you.” (direct)
2. She said she didn't like me. (indirect)
3. He said to him, “I don’t like you.” (direct)
4. He said he didn't like him. (indirect)
5. I said to you, “I don’t like you.” (direct)
6. I said I didn't like you.” (indirect)
● Words expressing nearness in time or place are generally changed into words expressing distance. 1. “Now” becomes “then”
2. “Here” becomes “there”
3. “Ago” becomes “before”
4. “Thus” becomes “so”
5. “Today” becomes “that day”
6. “Tomorrow” becomes “next day”
7. “Yesterday” becomes “the day before”
8. “Last night” becomes “the night before”
9. “This” becomes “that”
10. “These” becomes “those''
● The changes do not occur if the speech is reported during the same period or at the same time. Read the sentences below to understand how this rule works.
1. He says, “I am happy to be here this evening.” (direct)
2. He says he is happy to be here this evening. (indirect)
3. He says, “I will see you tomorrow.” (direct)
4 He says he will see you tomorrow. (indirect)
5 He says, “Have you seen my glasses?” (direct)
6. He asks if anyone has seen his glasses. (indirect)
