Direct and indirect speech

Direct and indirect speech

Direct speech takes place when we quote the exact words of the speaker.

Example: She said, "I like your dress."

Indirect speech

The Indirect speech takes places when we report what someone said in our very own words.

Example: She told me that she liked my dress.

Rules

If the reporting verb is in the simple present, simple future or even in the present perfect tense, then the reporting verb in the indirect speech stays the same.

• Rachel says, "She is doing her homework."

• Rachel says that she is doing her homework.

Multiple Select

Turn this into indirect speech.

Samantha tells her sisters, "You are my best friends!"

• Samantha told her sisters they were her best friends.

• Samantha pleads her sisters to be her best friends.

• Samantha tells her sisters that they are her best friends.

• Samantha tells her sisters, "You are my best friends."

If a general or a habitual fact is related to in the sentence, then the simple present tense in the reporting verb stays the same.

Example: They said "The Taj Mahal is in Delhi."

They said that the Taj Mahal is in Delhi.

There is no change when there is a simple past tense stating a historical event.

Ma'am said, "There was a revolt in the year 1857."

Ma'am said that there was a revolt in the year 1857.

Said is changed to told when there is an object after it.

Example: She said to her sister, "I can lend you my hat."

She told her sister that she could lend her her hat.

We can change the word according to the time and place of the sentence.

Example:

Can= Could

Will= would

Now= Then

Tomorrow= The next day

Last night= the previous night

later= after

today= that day

tonight= that night

yesterday= the previous day

thus= so

ago= before

this= that

Interrogative= yes no and question word

Declarative= command request, advice

Exclamatory sentences= state of wonder, state of joy