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Direct and Indirect Speech
What is Speech in Grammar?
The way the words of a speaker are expressed is called speech. There are two types of speech:
1. Direct speech
2. Indirect speech
What is direct speech?
Direct speech is where the exact words of a person are stated.
Characteristics of Direct Speech:
| Leela said, “It is indeed very strange.” |
| My teacher asked the class, “How many forgot to do their homework?” |
| Mikhail Gorbachev said: “Political leaders still think things can be done through force, but that cannot solve terrorism. Backwardness is the breeding ground of terror, and that is what we have to fight.” |
Jameel says, “I am painting my house blue” Jameel said yesterday, “I am painting my house blue.” Jameel said three years ago, “I am painting my house blue.” |
Indirect Speech:
Indirect speech is where the words of the speaker are not reported in the exact manner in which they are said.
Characteristics of Direct Speech:
Direct speech: Leela said, “It is indeed very strange.” Indirect speech: Leela said that it was indeed very strange. |
Direct speech: Smitha said, “My bag is missing!” Indirect speech: Smitha exclaimed that her bag was missing. |
Direct speech: Jerome stated, “I bequeath my money to my niece.” Indirect speech: Jerome stated that he bequeathed his money to his niece. Direct speech: Teacher said, “Jupiter has 63 moons.” Indirect speech: Teacher said that Jupiter has 63 moons. |
The pronouns in the quoted speech will change in indirect speech.
Direct speech: Meena said, “Will you come along?” Indirect speech: Meena asked if he/she/I would come along. |
Direct speech: Krishna said, “I can take care of the business.” Indirect speech: Krishna said that he could take care of the business |
Direct speech: Ajay said, “Please move along.” Indirect speech: Ajay requested everyone to move along. Direct speech: Manish said, “Bring me some food to eat.” Indirect speech: Manish ordered that they bring some food for him to eat |
Direct speech: Meenal said, “Can I return the book tomorrow?” Indirect speech: Meenal asked if she could return the book the day after. Direct speech: She said, “I live here.” Indirect speech: She said that she lived there. |
Rules for Tense Change in Indirect Speech:
The tense of the verbs in the direct speech may change in indirect speech
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| Simple present tense | Simple past tense |
| Rita said, “I ride bikes.” | Rita said that she rode bikes. |
| Present continuous tense | Past perfect tense |
| Frieda said, “I am buying some clothes.” | He told me that the dog has been fed |
| Present perfect continuous tense | Past perfect continuous tense |
| Mala said, “The tap has been running since 9 am.” | Mala said that the tap had been running since 9 am. |
| Simple past tense | Past perfect tense |
| Gertrude said, “The guests left.” | Gertrude said that the guests had left. |
| Past continuous tense | Past perfect continuous tense |
| The boy said, “It was raining that night.” | The boy said that it had been raining that night. |
| Past perfect tense | Past perfect tense |
| Fiona said, “I had called Maria.” | Fiona said that she had called Maria. |
| Simple future tense (will) | Simple future tense (would) |
| Greg said, “I will arrive by morning.” | Greg said that he would arrive by morning. |
| Future continuous tense (will) | Future continuous tense (would) |
| He said, “I will be reading a book.” | He said that he would be reading a book. |
| Future perfect tense (will) | Future perfect tense (would) |
| Jigar said, “I will have finished the work by 3.” | Jigar said that he would have finished the work by 3. |
Rules for Changing Adverbs in Indirect Speech:
Adverbs of place and time change in indirect speech
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| Today | That day/the same day |
| Usha said, “I will watch a movie today.” | Usha said that she would watch a movie that day. |
| Tomorrow | The day after/the next day |
| I said, “I will visit my friend tomorrow.” | I said that I would visit my friend the day after |
| Yesterday | The day before/the previous day |
| Veena said, “The meeting was held yesterday.” | Veena said that the meeting was held the day before. |
| Next week/month/year | The week/month/year after |
| She said, “I will arrive next week.” | She said that she would arrive the week after. |
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