In English grammar, understanding direct and indirect speech through its rules, formation and examples is so important as this part of grammar play vital role in achieving various communicative goals. In order to convey speakers original words, tone, intent, to enrich writing skills, to design news articles, and to bring originality in storytelling, direct and indirect speech plays pivotal role.
Difference between Direct and Indirect Speech
Change from direct speech to indirect speech means change in the form without changing the meaning of speaker.
Direct speech
Direct speech is defined as the exact words spoken by a individual. These words are written within quotation marks. This method of reporting speech preserves the original phrasing, tone, and intent of the speaker, allowing readers to experience the dialogue as it was originally expressed.
For example, President Donald Trump said, “I will impose more tariffs.” in this statement, ” I will impose more tariffs,” are the direct words from speaker. They remain unchanged.
Indirect speech
In contrast, indirect speech paraphrases the speaker’s original words without quotation marks. This transformation not only changes the sentence structure but also often modifies the tense of the verbs.
President Donald Trump said, “I will impose more tariffs.” would convert to indirect form as “President Donald Trump said that he would impose more tariffs.”
Indirect speech prioritizes the overall message instead of the precise wording. This form can present the message in a potentially new light.
Reported speech
Speaker’s actual words or narration are written within quotation marks. Within quotation marks means original speech as it is. No changes are made.
President Donald Trump said, “I will impose more tariffs.”
In this example, (“I will impose more tariffs.”) is called “reported speech.”
Reporting speech
President Donald Trump said, “I will impose more tariffs.”
Reporting speech is written without quotation marks. It is separated by comma from reported speech.
“President Donald Trump said” is called reporting speech. It is used to describe the direct speech or reported speech.
Main and dependent clauses
President Donald Trump said that he would impose more tariffs.
- Every direct speech is made up of two clauses.
- Reporting part belongs to main clause. (President Donald Trump said) Whereas, speakers part is called subordinating or dependent clause.
- “That he would impose more tariffs.”) Both are joined in the Indirect speech with “That” or also called “that- nominal clause.
Rules for Converting Sentences to Indirect Speech
Converting sentences from direct to indirect speech requires a clear understanding of several fundamental rules. One of the primary aspects involves shifts in verb tenses. Generally, when transforming direct speech into indirect speech, the tense of the verb in the reported clause changes.
1. Changing present tense in indirect speech
In Short, tense of direct speech or reported speech changes according to the tense of reporting verb while making indirect speech.
When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, then there is no need to change the tense of direct speech.
Example of present tense in direct and indirect speech
- He says, “I am fine.” (direct reported speech in present tense)
- He says that he is fine. (no change in the present tense in indirect speech)
- She says, “Himalaya is lofty mountain.”
- She says that Himalaya is lofty mountain.
2. Change of past tense in indirect speech
But, when the reporting verb is in the past tense, then the tense of direct speech changes accordingly.
a) Simple present to simple past.
When the direct speech is in the simple present, then the tense is changed to simple past in the indirect speech.
- Student said, “Teacher teaches writing skills.“(direct speech)
- Student said that teacher taught writing skills. (indirect speech)
b) Present continuous to past continuous
- He said, “They are working continuously.” (direct speech)
- He said that they were working continuously. (indirect speech)
c) Perfect present to past perfect
- Direct speech: Emma said, “I have completed my assignment.”
- Indirect speech: Emma said that she had completed her assignment.
d) Present continuous perfect to past continuous perfect
- Direct speech: She said, “I have been exercising since last week.“
- Indirect speech: She said that she had been exercising since the week before.
3.Changing Past tense to past tense in indirect speech
When the tense of direct speech is in the past tense, then we will notice following changes in the indirect speech
a) Past simple to past perfect.
- Direct speech: Matt said, “I did better job.”
- Indirect speech: Matt said that he had done better job.
b) Past continuous to past perfect continuous
- Direct speech: Henry said, “I was digging a hole.”
- Indirect speech: Henry said that he had been digging a hole.
Pronoun shifts are another essential component when converting to indirect speech. The pronouns used in direct speech often need to be adjusted to suit the perspective of the speaker in the indirect statement.
Rules regarding changes in pronouns in indirect speech
Change in first person
Rule states that when there is first person singular or plural comes in the direct speech, then the subject of the direct speech changes as per the subject of the reporting verb or part.
- He said, “I will plant more trees.”
In the above mentioned example, subject of the direct speech is first person singular, therefore, it changes according to the subject of “He said.”
He said that he would plant more tress.
More examples of first person
- Direct speech: The man said, “I am the witness of that earthquake.
- Indirect speech: The man said that he was the witness of that earthquake.
- Direct speech: John said, “I am so busy to talk to you.”
- Indirect speech: John said that he was so busy to talk to him.
Changes in second person
In case of second person in the direct speech, it changes according to the object of the reporting verb.
- Direct speech: My father said,” you are so careless.”
- Indirect speech: My father said to me that I was so careless.
- Direct speech: You said to me, “You are late.”
- Indirect speech: You said to me that I was late.
Change in third person
But, third person subject remains unchanged in the indirect speech.
- Direct speech: You said to me, “He is absent.”
- Indirect speech: You said me that he was absent.
- Direct speech: John said, “He was so busy.”
- Indirect speech: John said that he was so busy.
- Direct speech: He said, “I am making a chair.”
- Indirect speech: He said that he was making a chair.
- Direct speech: Samuel said, “I want a bike.”
- Indirect speech: Samuel said that he wanted a bike.
Rules for change in time and place adverbs
Changes in the adverbs of time and place in the direct speech takes place in the following way-
- This = that,
- These = those,
- Now= then,
- Ago = before,
- Today =that day, the same day,
- Yesterday = the previous day, the day before,
- Tonight =that night,
- Tomorrow =the next day, the following day,
- Last night =the previous night, the night before,
- For the upcoming time, “following” is used, whereas for the past time “previous” is used.
Indirect Speech Of Assertive Sentences
While making indirect speech of Assertive Sentences, there are certain rules need to be understood carefully. Among them, change of tense and pronouns are very vital. Here, I’m going to explain the indirect speech of assertive sentences with object or without.
Indirect Speech Of Assertive Sentences without object
Here, I try to elaborate the form of assertive sentences in indirect speech with “Object of reporting verb or without Object.” First of all, let’s see without object.
- Teacher says, “You are not studying properly.”
In this example, object of reporting verb is absent.
Second, there is present tense in the reporting part.Therefore, sentence in the indirect speech would be like:–
- Teacher says that they are not studying properly.
With past tense, it would be in the following way. Teacher said that they were not studying properly.
Indirect speech of assertive sentence with object
- Teacher says to students, “You are not studying properly.”
This example is in the present tense. So, the form of indirect speech would be like:-
- Teacher tells that they are not studying properly.
In this sentence, I have taken “Tells” because of the “Object” of reporting verb. In case of past tense, we take past form according to the direct speech.
- Teacher told that they are not studying properly.
Indirect speech of imperative sentences
Imperative sentences are used to express request, advise, command, and order. So, while making indirect speech of imperative sentences, it is essential to use requested, advised, commanded, and ordered in-place of ‘said or told’ in the assertive sentences.
“To and not to” connectors are placed replacing ‘That, if, whether’. So, let’s learn to form indirect speech of imperative sentences.
Rules to form indirect speech of imperative sentences
First of all, it is important to know the intent or mood of imperative sentences. Imperative sentences are used to express certain intents such as request, advise, command, and order.
Assertive sentences are, on the other hand, used to express claims either yes or no. In the formation of indirect speech of assertive sentences, “said and told” are taken.
Second person,”You” is used to form imperative sentences, but it remains silent. Like,” Open the door” in this sentence, second person,” You” is assumed in a silent state.
- Direct speech: Pope said to people, “Help poor in need”.(Request)
In the above example, ‘You’ second person before “Help poor people” is assumed but remains silent.
“To and not to” connectors are placed in place of that, if, whether, conjunctions. It becomes infinitive in the indirect speech.
- Indirect speech: Pope requested people to help poor in need. (Use of To as connector)
- Direct speech: Professor said to students, “Don’t make noise”. (Order)
- Indirect speech: Professor ordered students not to make noise.
In the indirect speech it is like, Professor ordered students not to make noise. (Use of Not to as connector)
Examples of indirect speech of imperative sentences
Following are some useful and important examples of indirect speech of imperative sentences. These are showing mood of request, advise, and order.
- Direct speech: Doctor said to patient, “Don’t take junk food”.
- Indirect speech: Doctor advised patient not to take junk food.
- Direct speech: Father said to son, “Don’t waste your valuable time”.
- Indirect speech: Father advised son not to waste his valuable time.
- Direct speech: Coach said to player, “Don’t repeat mistakes”.
- Indirect speech: Coach advised player not to repeat mistakes.
Indirect speech of interrogative sentence
Interrogative sentences, typically framed as questions, also change form in indirect speech.
While making indirect speech of interrogative sentence, change the reporting words like “asked,” “inquired,” or “wanted to know”.
For “yes/no” questions, use “if” or “whether”; for “wh-” questions, use the same question word.
Other rules regarding tense and pronouns remains same.
Examples of indirect speech of interrogative sentence
Yes/no question
Wh – question
- Direct speech: He said to me, “Can you drive a car?”
- Indirect speech: He asked me if I could drive a car.
- Direct speech: Teacher asked students, “Why are you late today?”
- Indirect speech: Teacher asked students why were they late that day.
- Direct speech: She asked, ‘Do you like ice cream? ‘”
- Indirect speech: She asked whether I liked ice cream.
Indirect speech of exclamatory sentence
- Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions. Understanding emotions prior to make indirect speech is essential.
- Joy
- sorrow,
- surprise,
- anger.
In the formation of indirect speech of exclamatory sentence, change the reporting verb, “said” To
- Exclaimed with joy,
- Exclaimed with sorrow,
- exclaimed with wonder,
Other rules regarding tense, pronouns and conjunction “that” remains the same.
Examples of indirect speech of exclamatory sentence
- Direct speech: Players said, ” Hurray! We have won the match”
- Indirect speech: Players exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
- Direct speech: She said me, “Hello! How are you?”
- Indirect speech: She greeted me and asked how was I.
- Direct speech: He said, “What a beautiful day! “
- Indirect speech: He exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
Last words on understanding direct and indirect speech,
So far, I have explained in detail about direct and indirect speech used in English grammar. First, I have explained difference between direct and indirect speech; reported and reporting verbs, and rules of changing direct to indirect speech. Finally, I have explained how to form indirect speech of assertive as well as imperative sentence. I hope, this piece of writing will help you to master direct and indirect speech.