Direct and Indirect Speech – Complete Notes
What is Direct Speech?
When we report the exact words of the speaker using inverted commas (“ ”), it is called Direct Speech.
Example:
Rama said, “I am very busy now.”
What is Indirect (Reported) Speech?
When we report what the speaker said without quoting the exact words, it is called Indirect Speech.
Example:
Rama said that he was very busy then.
Difference Between Direct and Indirect Speech
In direct speech, inverted commas are used, but in indirect speech they are not used.
In indirect speech, the sentence usually begins with a reporting verb like said, told, asked, etc.
Pronouns, tenses, adverbs and demonstratives usually change in indirect speech.
Changes While Converting Direct into Indirect Speech
When we change a sentence from direct to indirect speech, the following changes generally take place.
The conjunction “that” is used before the reported statement (in statements).
The pronoun changes according to the subject of the reporting verb.
The tense of the verb usually changes if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
Words expressing nearness (now, here, today) change into words expressing distance (then, there, that day).
Example:
Direct: Rama said, “I am busy now.”
Indirect: Rama said that he was busy then.
Rules for Change of Tenses
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech is usually changed as follows.
Simple Present changes into Simple Past.
He said, “I am unwell.”
He said that he was unwell.
Present Continuous changes into Past Continuous.
He said, “My master is writing letters.”
He said that his master was writing letters.
Present Perfect changes into Past Perfect.
He said, “I have passed the examination.”
He said that he had passed the examination.
Simple Past changes into Past Perfect.
He said, “The horse died in the night.”
He said that the horse had died in the night.
Past Continuous changes into Past Perfect Continuous.
Arun said, “I was sleeping.”
Arun told that he had been sleeping.
Important Exception (Universal Truth & Still True Statements)
If the reported statement is a universal truth or still true at the time of reporting, the tense may remain unchanged.
Example:
The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.”
The teacher said that the earth goes round the sun.
Gopi said, “I know her address.”
Gopi said that he knows her address.
(He knows it even now.)
Change of Modal Auxiliaries
Will changes into Would.
Can changes into Could.
May changes into Might.
Shall changes into Would or Should.
Example:
Pradeepa said, “We shall come there.”
Pradeepa said that they would come there.
Rahul said, “Shall I go tomorrow?”
Rahul asked whether he should go the next day.
Change of Adverbs and Words of Nearness
Words showing nearness in time or place are changed into words showing distance.
Ago becomes before.
Here becomes there.
Now becomes then.
Today becomes that day.
Tomorrow becomes the next day or the following day.
Yesterday becomes the previous day or the day before.
Last night becomes the night before.
Next week becomes the following week.
Example:
Sathi said, “My sister will come here today.”
Sathi said that her sister would come there that day.
Rahim said, “I want this pen now.”
Rahim said that he wanted that pen then.
Change of Demonstratives
This changes into that.
These change into those.
Example:
He said, “I like this book.”
He said that he liked that book.
Reporting Verbs
The reporting verb is chosen according to the type of sentence.
For statements, verbs like said and told are used.
For questions, verbs like asked, enquired or wondered are used.
For commands, verbs like ordered, commanded or told are used.
For requests, verbs like requested or begged are used.
For exclamations, verbs like exclaimed, cried or applauded are used.
Other common reporting verbs include advised, warned, promised, agreed, refused, praised, blamed, wished and complained.
Reporting Questions
While changing questions into indirect speech, the question mark is removed and the sentence becomes a statement.
Auxiliary verbs like do, does, did are removed.
If the question begins with Wh-words (what, where, why, how), the same word is used in indirect speech.
If the question is a Yes/No question, whether or if is used.
Example:
He said to me, “What are you doing?”
He asked me what I was doing.
The stranger asked, “Where do you live?”
The stranger enquired where I lived.
He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
He asked whether they would listen to such a man.
Reporting Commands and Requests
In commands and requests, the imperative mood is changed into the infinitive (to + verb).
Example:
Ram said to Arjun, “Go away.”
Ram ordered Arjun to go away.
He said to him, “Please wait here till I return.”
He requested him to wait there till he returned.
The officer said to the peon, “Post these letters.”
The officer ordered the peon to post those letters.
Reporting Exclamations and Wishes
Exclamatory sentences are changed into statements and introduced by suitable verbs like exclaimed, wished, prayed, applauded, etc.
Example:
He said, “Alas! I am undone.”
He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Alice said, “How clever I am!”
Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Ravi said, “What a great man Suresh is!”
Ravi exclaimed that Suresh was a very great man.
“Happy birthday, my dear Deepa!” said her grandfather.
Deepa’s grandfather wished her a happy birthday.
Key Points for Exams
Direct speech uses inverted commas, indirect speech does not.
Pronouns change according to the speaker.
Tense usually changes when the reporting verb is in the past.
Universal truths do not change tense.
Questions, commands, requests and exclamations have special reporting verbs.