Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech are two different ways of reporting what someone said or thought. Direct speech reports the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what was said or thought but does not use the exact words. Here are some important rules and examples of direct and indirect speech in English:
- Direct speech is reported using quotation marks, while indirect speech is not.
Example: “I love pizza,” said John. (direct speech)
John said he loved pizza. (indirect speech)
- In indirect speech, the verb tense and pronoun may need to change to reflect the change from first to third person.
Example: “I am happy,” said Susan. (direct speech)
Susan said she was happy. (indirect speech)
- The word “that” is often used in indirect speech to introduce the reported speech.
Example: “I will be there on time,” said Tom. (direct speech)
Tom said that he would be there on time. (indirect speech)
- The word “to” can be used to report an order or request.
Example: “Shut the door,” said the teacher. (direct speech)
The teacher told us to shut the door. (indirect speech)
- When reporting questions, the word order may need to change, and the verb “asked” is often used.
Example: “Where are you going?” asked Sarah. (direct speech)
Sarah asked where we were going. (indirect speech)
In conclusion, direct and indirect speech are important aspects of English grammar used to report what someone said or thought. By understanding the rules and examples of direct and indirect speech, you can improve your English writing and communication skills.
Change of Person
- He says, “I am writing a book.” (Direct Speech)
He says that he is writing a book. (Indirect Speech) - They say,”we don’t want any more.” (Direct Speech)
They say that they don’t want any more. (Indirect Speech) - She says to me, “You write a letter.” (Direct Speech)
She tells me that I write a letter. (Indirect Speech) - Rahim says to Karim, “You are my friend.” (Direct Speech)
Rahim tells Karim that he (Karim) is his friend. (Indirect Speech)
- Ramzan says “He is my friend.” (Direct Speech)
Ramzan says that he is his(Ramzan) friend. (Indirect Speech)
Change to Tense
- Zeenat will say,”I see a picture.” (Direct Speech)
Zeenat will say that she sees a picture. (Indirect Speech) - Husna says, “I love my childern.” (Direct Speech)
Husna says that she loves her childern. (Indirect Speech)
| Will | Changes into | Would |
| Shall | Changes into | Should/Would |
| May | Changes into | Might |
| Can | Changes into | Could |
| Do/Does | Changes into | Did |
| Today | Changes into | That day |
| Tonight | Changes into | That night |
| Last night | Changes into | The previous night |
| Hence | Changes into | Thence |
| Next day | Changes into | The following day |
| This | Changes into | That |
| Now | Changes into | Then |
| These | Changes into | Those |
| Here | Changes into | There |
| Thus | Changes into | To |
| Tomorrow | Changes into | The next day |
| Yesterday | Changes into | The previous day |
| Ago | Changes into | Before |
| Hither | Changes into | Thither |
| Just | Changes into | Then |
- The teacher said, “Honesty is the best policy.” (Direct Speech)
The teacher said that honesty is the best policy. (Indirect Speech) (Universal Truth) - The guide said, “Red Fort was built by shahjahan.” (Direct Speech)
The guide said that Red Fort was built by shahjahan. (Indirect Speech) (Historical Fact)
Interrogative sentences
- He said to me, “Can you help me?” (Direct Speech)
He asked me if I could help him. (Indirect Speech)
- Zahid said to me, “What is your name?” (Direct Speech)
Zahid asked me what my name was. (Indirect Speech)
Imperative Sentences
- He said to me, “Bring me a glass of water.”(Direct Speech)
He ordered me to bring him a glass of water. (Indirect Speech) - Zahid said to me, “Please help me.”(Direct Speech)
Zahid requested me to help him(Zahid).(Indirect Speech) - Razia said to me, “Do not go there.” (Direct Speech)
Razia forbade me to go there. (Indirect Speech)
- He said to me, “Let us take some rest.” (Direct Speech)
He proposed to me that we should take some rest. (Indirect Speech)
Optative Sentences
- She said, “O for a glass of water!” (Direct Speech)
She wished for a glass of water. (Indirect Speech) - He said to Zakir, “May Allah grant you long life!” (Direct Speech)
He Prayed that Allah might grant Zakir long life. (Indirect Speech)
Exclamatory Sentences
- They said , “Hurrah! we have won the match.” (Direct Speech)
The exclaimed with joy that they had won the match. (Indirect Speech) - She said, “Alas! my only son is dead.” (Direct Speech)
She exclaimed with sorrow that her only son was dead. (Indirect Speech) - He said to them, “Bravo! well done.” (Direct Speech)
He applauded them saying that they had done well. (Indirect Speech)