The exact words
that someone says are called direct speech. Quotation marks “ ” are used to set off direct speech.
Mom said, “Where
are my keys?”
“This ice cream is
delicious,”said Tom.
“Have you boys
washed your hands?”asked Dad.
“Please get out of
the car,”the police officer ordered.
“What a beautiful
dress!”said Sally.
Indirect Speech
You can report what
someone says without using their exact words. To do this, use a verb like say,
ask or tell, followed by that. This is called indirect speech.
There are several differences between a sentence with direct speech and a
sentence with indirect speech.
You don’t use
quotation marks with indirect speech.
You change the
tense of the verb.
You change the
pronouns and determiners.
Here are some
examples. The verb tenses that change are printed in bold and the pronouns and
determiners that change are printed in color. Remember that the past tense of can
is could and the past tense of will is would.
direct
speech indirect speech
Maggie said, “I feel ill.” Maggie
said that she felt ill.
Sumiko said, “It’s time to leave.”
Sumiko said that it was time
to leave.
“I can’t find my book,”
said Alice. Alice said that she couldn’t find her
book.
“John is hitting me,” said
Peter. Peter
said that John was hitting him.
Dad said, “I haven’t had my Dad
said that he hadn’t had his
breakfast yet.”
breakfast yet.
“My car won’t start,” said
Mom. Mom
said that her car wouldn’t start.
In indirect speech people often leave out the
conjunction that.
Maggie said that
she felt ill.
Sumiko said that
it was time to leave.
Alice said that
she couldn’t find her book.
Peter said that
John was hitting him.
Dad said that
he hadn’t had his breakfast yet.
When you are using
indirect speech to report a statement that is still true now, you don’t
change the tense of the verb.
direct speech indirect speech
John said, “My mom doesn’t like fish.” John said that his mom doesn’t
like fish.
“I live in a house by the sea,” said
Anna. Anna said that she lives
in a house by the sea.
Dad said, “Paris is a beautiful
city.” Dad said Paris is a
beautiful city.
Indirect Commands
Use verbs like order,
tell and warn to report orders and instructions.
The construction to + verb or not
to + verb may also be used.
direct speech indirect speech
The teacher said, “Stop running in The teacher ordered us to
stop
the corridor!”
running in the corridor.
“Put your books away, children,” Mr. Park told the children to
put their
said Mr. Park.
books away.
Dad said to David, “Please help me Dad asked David to help him
by
by washing the dishes.” washing the dishes.
Jack said to Maggie, “Please Jack begged Maggie not to
tell
don’t tell anyone my secret!” anyone his secret.
Miss Lee said to Alan, “Don’t be Miss Lee warned Alan not to
be
late again tomorrow.” late again the next day.
Indirect Questions
The verb ask is
usually used to report questions.
direct speech indirect speech
Sally said, “Where is my backpack?” Sally asked where her backpack
was.
Peter said, “Have you finished your homework. Peter asked if I had finished my
homework?”
To report a
question, put the subject before the verb or helping verb. Remember that
the subject comes after the helping verb when you ask a question. Here
are some examples. The subjects are printed in bold and the verbs are printed
in color.
asking a
question reporting a question
“Where are they going?” I
asked where they were going.
“Can Jack ride
his bike?” I asked if Jack could ride
his bike.
“Did Miss Lee sing a
song?” I
asked whether Miss Lee sang a song.
“Has she finished her
homework?” I asked if she had finished her homework.
To report a
question-word question, use the same question word in direct speech.
direct speech indirect speech
Mom said, “Where are your shoes?” Mom asked where my shoes were.
Maggie said, “Who has taken my pen?” Maggie asked who had taken her
pen.
“What
time does the show start?” Sue asked what time the show
started.
asked
Sue.
When you are
reporting yes or no questions, use if or whether after the
verb.
direct speech indirect speech
“Is it raining?” asked Tom. Tom
asked if it was raining.
Alice said, “Can you help us?” Alice
asked whether I could help them.
Dad said, “Is the train on time?” Dad
asked if the train was on time.
reference: Basic English Grammar, Book 2
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