Direct and Indirect Speech

A.   Introduction

There two ways to convey a message of a person, or the words spoken by a person to other person.

1. Direct speech
2. Indirect speech

            Suppose your friend whose name is John tells you in school, “I will give you a pen”. You come to home and you want to tell your brother what your friend told you. There are two ways to tell him.

              Direct speech: John said, “I will give you a pen”.
              Indirect Speech: John said that he would give me a pen.

            In direct speech the original words of person are narrated (no change is made) and are enclosed in quotation mark. While in indirect speech some changes are made in original words of the person because these words have been uttered in past so the tense will change accordingly and pronoun may also be changed accordingly. In indirect speech the statement of the person is not enclosed in quotation marks, the word “that” may be used before the statement to show that it is indirect speech.  Indirect speech is also called reported speech because reported speech refers to the second part of indirect speech in which something has been told by a person.

Reporting verb: The verb first part of sentence (i.e. he said, she said, he says, they said, she says,) before the statement of a person in sentence is called reporting verb.

Examples. In all of the following example the reporting verb is “said”.
              He said, “I work in a factory”                           (Direct speech)
              He said that he worked in a factory.                (Indirect speech)
              They said, “we are going to cinema”               (Direct speech)
              They said that they were going to cinema.      (Indirect speech)

Direct speech	Reported speech
She says: "I like tuna fish."	She says that she likes tuna fish.
She said: "I'm visiting Paris next weekend"	She said that she was visiting Paris the following weekend.

B.    Fundamental Rules for Indirect Speech

1.      Reported speech is not enclosed in quotation marks.

2.      Use of word “that”: The word “that” is used as a conjunction between the reporting verb and reported speech.

3.      Change in pronoun: The pronoun (subject) of the reported speech is changed according to the pronoun of reporting verb or object (person) of reporting verb (first part of sentence). Sometimes the pronoun may not change.

In following example the pronoun of reported speech is “I” which will be changed in  indirect speech into the pronoun (Subject) of reporting verb that is “he”.

       Examples:
       Direct speech: He said, “I am happy”
       Indirect Speech: He said that he was happy.
       Direct speech: I said to him, “you are intelligent”
       Indirect Speech: I said him that he was intelligent.

       (“You” changed to “he” the person of object of reporting verb)

1. Change in time: Time is changed according to certain rules like now to then, today to that day, tomorrow to next day and yesterday to previous day.

      Examples.
      Direct speech: He said, “I am happy today”
      Indirect Speech: He said that he was happy that day.

1. Change in the tense of reported speech: If the first part of sentence (reporting verb part) belongs to past tense the tense of reported speech will change. If the first part of sentence (reporting verb part) belongs to present or future tense, the tense of reported speech will not change.

      Examples:
      Direct speech: He said, “I am happy”
      Indirect Speech: He said that he was happy. (Tense of reported speech changed)
      Direct speech: He says, “I am happy”
      Indirect Speech: He said that he is happy. (Tense of reported speech didn’t change)

C.    Different Types of Sentences

When you use reported speech, you either report:

·         statements

·         questions

·         requests / commands

·         other types

1.       Reporting Statements

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

·         pronouns

·         tense

·         place and time expression

1.1  Pronouns

  In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what.

Example:

She says, “My dad likes roast chicken.” – She says that her dad likes roast chicken.

The pronoun (subject) of the reported speech is changed according to the pronoun of reporting verb or object (person) of reporting verb (first part of sentence). Sometimes the pronoun may not change.

1.      First person pronoun in reported speech i.e. I, we, me, us, mine, or our, is  changed according to the pronoun of reporting verb if pronoun in reporting verb is third person pronoun i.e. he, she, it, they, him, his, her, them or their.

Examples:
         Direct speech: He said, “I live in New York”
         Indirect speech: He said that he lived in New York.
         Direct speech: They said, “we love our country”
         Indirect speech: They said that they loved their country

2.      First person pronoun in reported speech i.e. I, we, me, us, mine, or our, is not     changed if the pronoun (Subject) of reporting is also first person pronoun i.e. I or     we.

Examples:
Direct speech: I said, “I write a letter”
Indirect speech: I said that I wrote a letter.
Direct speech: We said, “we completed our work”
Indirect speech: We said that we completed our work.

3.      Second person pronoun in reported speech i.e. you, yours is changed according     to the person of object of reporting verb.

Examples:
      Direct speech: She said to him, “you are intelligent”
      Indirect speech: She said to him that he was intelligent.
      Direct speech: He said to me, “you are late for the party”
      Indirect speech: He said to me that I was late for the party.

4.      Third person pronoun in reported speech i.e. he, she, it, they, him, his, her, them      or their, is not changed in indirect speech.

    Examples.
    Direct speech: They said, “he will come”
    Indirect speech: They said that he would come.
    Direct speech: You said, “they are waiting for the bus”
    Indirect speech: You said that they were waiting for the bus.

2.2 Tenses

·         If the sentence starts in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in reported speech.

·         If the sentence starts in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in reported speech.

	Direct speech	Reported speech
(no backshift)	“I write poems.”	He says that he writes poems.
(backshift)	“I write poems.”	He said that he wrote poems.

No backshift

Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in a present tense (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).

Example:
He says, “I write poems.” – He says that he writes English.

Backshift

You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in a past tense (e. g. He said).

Example:
He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.

Examples of the main changes in tense: 

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
Simple Present He said: "I am happy"	Simple Past He said that he was happy
Present Progressive He said: "I'm looking for my keys"	Past Progressive He said that he was looking for his keys
Simple Past He said: "I visited New York last year"	Past Perfect Simple He said that he had visited New York the previous year.
Present Perfect He said: " I've lived here for a long time "	Past Perfect He said that he had lived there for a long time
Past Perfect He said: "They had finished the work when I arrived"	Past Perfect He said that they had finished the work when he had arrived"
Past Progressive He said: "I was playing football when the accident occurred"	Past Perfect Progressive He said that he had been playing football when the accident had occurred
Present Perfect Progressive He said:"I have been playing football for two hours."	Past Perfect Progressive He said that he had been playing football for two hours
Past Perfect Progressive He said: "I had been reading a newspaper when the light went off"	Past Perfect Progressive He said that he had been reading a newspaper when the light had gone off
Future Simple (will+verb) He said: "I will open the door."	Conditional (would+verb) He said that he would open the door.
Conditional (would+verb) He said: "I would buy Mercedes if I were rich"	Conditional (would+verb) He said that he would buy Mercedes if he had been rich"

    The modal verbs could, should, would, might, needn't, ought to, used to do not normally change.
Example:
He said, "She might be right." – He said that she might be right.

Other modal verbs may change:

Modal	Direct speec	Repored speech
can	"I can do it."	He said that he could do it.
may	"May I go out?"	He wanted to know if he might go out.
must	"She must apply for the job."	He said that she must/had to apply for the job.
will	"They will call you."	He tod her that they would call her.

Indirect speech for sentence having MODALS, should, ought to, might, would, and could”The modal will not change in indirect speech.

Modal	Direct speec	Repored speech
would	“I would start a business.”	He said that he would start a business
could	"I could run faster.”	He said that he could run faster
might	"The guests might come.”	He said that the guests might come
should	"They should help him."	They said that they should help him
Ought to	“I ought to wait for him.”	She said that she ought to wait for him

3.3 Place, demonstratives and time expressions

Place, demonstratives and time expressions change if the context of the reported statement (i.e. the location and/or the period of time) is different from that of the direct speech.

In the following table, you will find the different changes of place; demonstratives and time expressions.

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
Time Expressions
today	that day
now	then
yesterday	the day before
… days ago	… days before
last week	the week before
next year	the following year
tomorrow	the next day / the following day
Place
here	there
Demonstratives
this	that
these	those

2.       Reporting Questions

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

·         pronouns

·         place and time expressions

·         tenses (backshift)

Also note that you have to:

·         transform the question into an indirect question

·         use the question word (where, when, what, how) or if / whether

Types of questions	Direct speech	Reported speech
With question word (what, why, where, how...)	"Why" don’t you speak English?”	He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
Without question word (yes or no questions)	“Do you speak English?”	He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

Indirect speech for Interrogative (question) sentence

            For changing interrogative (question) sentence into indirect speech we have to observe the nature of question and then change it into indirect speech according to it rules for indirect speech. A question can be of two types. One type which can be answered in only YES or NO and other type which needs a little bit explanation for its answer and cannot be answered in only YES or NO.

Examples:
Do you like music? (It can be answered in YES or NO)
How are you? (It cannot be answered in YES or NO but it needs a little bit explanation i.e, I am fine.)

Questions which can be answered in YES/NO

To change questions (which can be answered in yes or no) into indirect speech, word “if” or “whether” is used before the question in indirect speech. Rules for change in tense of question sentences are same as for change in normal tenses in indirect speech but sentence will not start with the auxiliary verb of the tense. The word “that” is not used between reporting verb and reported speech as conjunction in indirect speech for question sentence. Question mark is not used in indirect speech.

Examples:
Direct speech: He said to me, “do you like music?”
Indirect Speech: He asked me if I liked music. (Not, did I like music)
Or Indirect Speech: He asked me whether I liked music.          

Direct speech:  She said, “Will he participate in the quiz competition?”
Indirect Speech: She asked me if he would participate in quiz competition.

Direct speech: I said to him, “are you feeling well?”
Indirect Speech: I asked him if he was feeling well.
Direct speech: They said to me, “did u go to school?”
Indirect Speech: They asked me if I had gone to school.
Direct speech: He said to me, “Have you taken the breakfast?”
Indirect Speech: He asked me if I had taken the breakfast

Question which cannot be answered in YES/NO

To change such questions into indirect speech, the words “if” or “whether” is not used. The tense of the question is changed according to the rules for change in normal tenses in indirect speech but sentence will not start with the auxiliary verb of the tense. The word “that” is not used between reporting verb and reported speech as conjunction, in indirect speech for question sentence. Question mark is not used in indirect speech.

Examples:
Direct speech: He said to me, “how are you?”
             Indirect speech: He asked me how I was. (Not, how was I)
             Direct speech: Teacher said to him, “what is your name?”
             Indirect speech: Teacher asked him what his name was.
             Direct speech: She said to him, “why did you come late?”
             Indirect speech: She asked him why he had come late.
             Direct speech: He said, “when will they come?”
             Indirect speech: He asked when they would come.
             Direct speech: She asked his son, “why are you crying?”
             Indirect speech: She asked her son why he was crying.

3.       Reporting Requests / Commands

When transforming requests and commands, check whether you have to change:

·         pronouns

·         place and time expressions

Direct speech	Reported speech
“Nancy,do the exercise.“	He told Nancy to do the exercise.
"Nancy, give me your pen, please."	He asked Nancy to give him her pen.

Tenses are not relevant for requests – simply use to  / not to + verb (infinitive without "to")

Example:

She said, “Sit down." - She asked me to sit down.

She said, "don't be lazy" - She asked me not to be lazy 

For affirmative use to + infinitive (without to) For negative requests, use not to + infinitive (without to).

 

D.    Indirect Speech for Exclamatory and Imperative   Sentences.

1.       Indirect speech of imperative sentence

A sentence which expresses command, request, advice or suggestion is called imperative sentence.
For example,
     •  Open the door.
     •  Please help me.
     •  Learn your lesson.

To change such sentences into indirect speech, the word “ordered” or “requested” or “advised” or “suggested” or “forbade” or “not to do” is added to reporting verb depending upon nature of imperative sentence in reported speech.

Examples:
Direct speech: He said to me, “please help me”
Indirect Speech: He requested me to help him.
Direct speech: She said to him, “you should work hard for exam”
Indirect Speech: He suggested him to work hard for exam.
Direct speech: They said to him, “do not tell a lie”
Indirect Speech: They said to him not to tell a lie.
Direct speech: He said, “open the door”
Indirect Speech: He ordered to open the door.
Direct speech: The teacher said to student, “do not waste time”
Indirect Speech: The teacher advised the students not to waste time.
Direct speech: He said, “please give me glass of water”
Indirect Speech: He requested to give him a glass of water.
Direct speech: Doctor said to me, “Do not smoke”
Indirect Speech: Doctor advised me not to smoke.
Direct speech: The teacher said to him, “Get out”
Indirect Speech: The teacher ordered him to get out

2.       Indirect speech of exclamatory sentences

Sentence which expresses state of joy or sorrow or wonder is called exclamatory sentence.
For example.
             •  Hurrah! We won the match.
             •  Alas! I failed the test.
             •  Wow! What a nice shirt it is.

To change such sentences, the words “exclaimed with joy” or “exclaimed with sorrow” or “exclaimed with wonder” is added in the reporting verb depending upon the nature of exclamatory sentence in indirect speech.

Examples:
Direct speech: He said, “Hurrah! I won a prize”
Indirect Speech: He exclaimed with joy that he had won a prize.
Direct speech: She said, “Alas! I failed in exam”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed with sorrow that she failed in the exam.
Direct speech: John said, “Wow! What a nice shirt it is”
Indirect Speech: John exclaimed with wonder that it was a nice shirt.
Direct speech: She said, “Hurrah! I am selected for the job”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed with joy that she was selected for the job.
Direct speech: He said, “Oh no! I missed the train”
Indirect Speech: He exclaimed with sorrow that he had missed the train.
Direct speech: They said, “Wow! What a pleasant weather it is”
Indirect Speech:  They exclaimed with wonder that it was a pleasant weather

E.    Other Transformations

 

·         Expressions of advice with must, should and ought are usually reported using advise / urge.
Example:
“You must read this book.“
He advised / urged me to read that book.

·         The expression let’s is usually reported using suggest. In this case, there are two possibilities for reported speech: gerund or statement with should.
Example:
“Let’s go to the cinema.“=
1. He suggested going to the cinema.
2. He suggested that we should go to the cinema.

F.    Main Clauses Connected With And/But

If two complete main clauses are connected with ‚and or ‚but, put ‚that after the conjunction.

Example:
He said,“I saw her but she didn't see me.“ – He said that he had seen her but that she hadn't seen him.“

If the subject is dropped in the second main clause (the conjunction is followed by a verb), do not use ‚that‘.

Example:
She said,“I am a nurse and work in a hospital.“ – He said that she was a nurse and worked in a hospital.“

G.   Exercise

A. Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into the indirect speech!

1. He said, “I have got a toothache”.

2. Manu said, “I am very busy now”.

3. “Hurry up,” she said to us.

4. “Give me a cup of water,” he told her.

5. She said, “I am going to college.”

6. The stranger said to me, ‘Could you help me?’

B. Sentences are given in the indirect speech. Change them into the direct speech!

1. Ramesh said that he had finished his homework.

2. The boy asked his mother if he could watch TV.

3. The man asked the passerby if he would help him.

4. The girl said that I was sitting on her seat.

5. The man asked the boy where he was going.

6. The girl asked who had taken her pen.

Answers:

A. 

1. He said that he had got a toothache.

2. Manu said that he was very busy then.

3. She told us to hurry up.

4. He asked her to give him a cup of water.

5. She said that she was going to college.

6. The stranger asked me if I could help him.

B.

1. Ramesh said, ‘I have finished my homework.’

2. The boy said, ‘Mummy, can I watch TV?’

3. ‘Will you help me?’ the man asked the passerby.

4. ‘You are sitting on my seat.’ the girl said.

5. ‘Where are you going?’ the man asked the boy.

6. ‘Who took my pen?’ the girl asked.

Sources:

www.englishgrammar.org

www.studyandexam.com

www.myenglishpages.com

www.ego4u.com

www.e-grammar.org

www.edufind.com