Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and Indirect Speech

By MARISSA RONGCALES

Objectives

​At the end of the lesson, students will

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            1. identify direct and indirect speech;

            2. change statements from direct to indirect speech;

            3. create examples of direct and indirect speech.

Direct/Indirect Speech

​How do you report the words of the speaker?

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          Example:

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Direct/Indirect Speech

​Ramon said, "I am very busy now."

​We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:

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a. We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.

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​

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Direct/Indirect Speech

​We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:

​

a. We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.

​

b. We may report what he said without quoting his exact words.

This is called Indirect or Reported Speech.​

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Direct/Indirect Speech

Direct Speech

Ramon said, "I am very busy now."

​

​ in Direct speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact words of the speaker.

Direct/Indirect Speech

Direct Speech

Ramon said, "I am very busy now."

​

​ in Direct speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact words of the speaker.

Direct/Indirect Speech

Indirect Speech

Ramon said that he was very busy then.

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​ in indirect speech, we do not use inverted commas.

Direct/Indirect Speech

Indirect/Indirect Speech

Ramon said, "I am very busy now." (direct speec​h)

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Ramon said that he was very busy then.

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​1. We have used the conjunction that before the indirect statement.

2. The pronoun I is changed to he. (The pronoun is changed in person.)

3. The verb am is changed to was. (Present tense is changed to past.)

​4. The adverb now is changed to then.

Direct/Indirect Speech

Rules for changing Direct to indirect speech

​When the reporting or the principal verb is in the past tense, all present tenses of the Direct are changed into the corresponding past tenses. Thus,

1. A simple present becomes a simple past.

Direct: He said “I am unwell.”

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  Indirect: He said (that) he was unwell.

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Direct/Indirect Speech

Rules for changing Direct to indirect speech

​When the reporting or the principal verb is in the past tense, all present tenses of the Direct are changed into the corresponding past tenses. Thus,

Direct/Indirect Speech

​2. A present continuous becomes a past continuous.

​ Direct: He said, “My master is writing letters.”

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Indirect: He said (that) his master was writing letters.

Indirect Speech

​Ramon said, "I am very busy now." (direct speech)

Ramon said that he was very busy then.

​

​1. We have used the conjunction that before the indirect statement.

2. The pronoun I is changed to he. (The pronoun is changed in person.)

3. The verb am is changed to was. (Present tense is changed to past.)

Direct/Indirect Speech

Rules for changing Direct to indirect speech

​When the reporting or the principal verb is in the past tense, all present tenses of the Direct are changed into the corresponding past tenses. Thus,

Direct/Indirect Speech

​3. A present perfect becomes a past perfect.

Direct: He said, “I have passed the examination.”

​

Indirect: He said (that) he had passed the examination.

Rules for changing Direct to indirect speech

Direct/Indirect Speech

​Note: The ‘shall’ of the future tense is changed into should. The ‘will’ of the future tense is changed into would or should.

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

He said, “Alas! I am undone!

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

John said that he wanted to be a soldier.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

He called upon heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

“Are you coming home with me?” he asked.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

He said, “How’s your father?”

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

He asked his father when the next letter would come.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

He observed that he had never liked doing that.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the statement is direct or indirect speech.

“The sun rises in the East,” he said.

• Direct Speech

• Indirect Speech

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​In the following slides, change the statements to Direct or Indirect Speech.

​Assignment

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Create a short dialogue using direct and indirect speech.