Direct and Indirect Speech

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English Grammar Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct Speech | Indirect Speech | Tense Change | Time Change | Pronoun Change | Reporting Verbs | Use of 'That'
We often have to give information about what people say or think. In order to do this you can use direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech.
Direct Speech
Saying exactly what someone has said is called direct speech (sometimes called quoted speech) Here what a person says appears within quotation marks ("...") and should be word for word. For example: She said, "Today's lesson is on presentations." or "Today's lesson is on presentations," she said.
Indirect Speech
Indirect speech (sometimes called reported speech), doesn't use quotation marks to enclose what the person said and it doesn't have to be word for word. When reporting speech the tense usually changes. This is because when we use reported speech, we are usually talking about a time in the past (because obviously the person who spoke originally spoke in the past). The verbs therefore usually have to be in the past too.
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Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct Speech
In direct speech, the original speaker's exact words are given and are indicated by quotation marks. "I don't know what to do," said Dean. In some grammar books, said Dean is referred to as a reporting clause. "I don't know what to do," is referred to as the reported clause.
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Indirect Speech
In indirect speech, the exact meaning of the speaker's words is given, but the exact words are not directly quoted. Dean said that he didn't know what to do. To convert direct speech into indirect speech:
If the main verb is past tense, present tense verbs in the that clause must also be changed to past tense. Dean said that he didn't know what to do. First and second person pronouns must be changed to third person pronouns. Dean said that he didn't know what to do.
(The that can often be left out: Dean said he didn't know what to do.)
Indirect Questions
The same rules apply to indirect questions as to indirect statements. The difference is that a wh clause is used instead of a that clause.
Direct question: "Did Marama's horse win a prize?" Owen asked. Indirect questions: Owen asked whether (or if) Marama's horse had won a prize. Direct question: "Why won't you marry me?" asked Donald. Indirect question: Donald asked her why she wouldn't marry him. In telling a story or recounting events, a speaker using direct speech has all the resources of intonation to produce a lively account. Because indirect speech is always speech reported by someone else, the account is more reserved and restrained. "What shall we do?" asked Bev. "Don't worry, Bev," said Duncan, "I've got a plan." Bev asked Duncan what they should do. He told her not to worry and that he had a plan. The ability to change direct speech into indirect speech is a useful skill for those engaged in taking the minutes of a meeting or reporting on events. Direct speech: "First of all, I would like to thank everybody who helped with the fair. The results were very good, and we will now be able to buy two more computers." Indirect speech: The principal said that he would like to thank everybody who had helped with the fair. He announced that the results were very good and that the school would now be able to buy two more computers.
Exploring Language Contents Exploring Language is reproduced by permission of the publishers Learning Media Limited on behalf of Ministry of Education, P O Box 3293, Wellington, New Zealand, Crown, 1996.
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Indirect speech (test n3005 - please quote this number when you contact us) RESULTS
1. 'Please, don't tell your mother!' -> She asked me [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: NOT TO TELL MY MOTHER 2. 'I swear I won't tell your mother, Sue!' -> He Home promised Sue [NO ANSWER] Wrong! Correct answer: Print NOT TO TELL HER MOTHER Guestbook 3. 'Shall I phone my doctor?' -> She offered [NO Report a bug ANSWER] Wrong! Correct answer: TO PHONE HER DOCTOR 4. 'I won't repeat what he has told me.' -> She agreed [NO ANSWER] Wrong! Correct answer: NOT TO REPEAT WHAT HE HAD TOLD HER GREAT! Get a free English 5. 'We'll clean your flat after our party.' -> They lesson every week! promised Mary [NO ANSWER] Wrong! Correct answer: TO CLEAN HER FLAT AFTER THEIR PARTY 150,000 6. 'Why don't I cook your dinner, Mr Price?' -> She subscribers! offered Mr Price [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct Click here! answer: TO COOK HIS DINNER 7. 'You ought to have your car serviced, dad!' -> He advised his father [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct Recommended: answer: TO HAVE HIS CAR SERVICED > English 8. 'Wait outside your office!' -> I told my employees translator [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: TO WAIT > Sites for OUTSIDE THEIR OFFICE teachers 9. 'How do we find your village?' -> They asked us [NO > Other sites for ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HOW TO FIND OUR teachers VILLAGE 10. 'Get yourself ready before lunch.' -> She told me when [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: TO GET MYSELF READY 11. 'Say that you are disappointed.' -> I told him what [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: TO SAY 12. 'OK! We'll do what has been decided!' ->They agreed [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: TO DO WHAT HAD BEEN DECIDED
Remarque: - La structure (infinitif) N'EST PAS utilise aprs les verbes introducteurs du discours indirect: SUGGEST & SAY: Ex: He suggested having dinner in a restaurant. Ex: The nurse said you mustn't shout.
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Latest member with a PERFECT mark: dargdonax / France, on Friday 13 June 2008 08:35: "20/20 !" They got a perfect mark
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1. 'I am very tired.' She said she [NO ANSWER] very tired. Wrong! Correct answer: WAS 2. 'You play the piano very well.' Mr Jones told me I [NO ANSWER] the piano very well. Wrong! Correct answer: Home PLAYED Print 3. 'Can you give us a hand?' They asked if we [NO Guestbook ANSWER] give them a hand. Wrong! Correct answer: Report a bug COULD 4. 'We 're leaving the town.' He told me they [NO ANSWER] the town. Wrong! Correct answer: WERE LEAVING 5. 'He hasn't shaved.' I noticed that he [NO ANSWER] . GREAT! Wrong! Correct answer: HADN'T SHAVED Get a free English lesson every week! 6. 'Your parents have had an accident.' Sally rang to say that your parents [NO ANSWER] an accident. Wrong! 150,000 Correct answer: HAD HAD subscribers! 7. 'I left home at seventeen.' Her letter said that she Click here! [NO ANSWER] home at seventeen. Wrong! Correct answer: HAD LEFT 8. 'Don't worry! He won't say anything to the police'. I Recommended: was sure he [NO ANSWER] anything to the police. > English Wrong! Correct answer: WOULDN'T SAY translator 9. 'None of our relatives will come.' They knew none of > Sites for their relatives [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: teachers WOULD COME > Other sites for 10. 'This parcel has been opened at the customs.' I teachers could see the parcel [NO ANSWER] at the customs. Wrong! Correct answer: HAD BEEN OPENED Les explications sont inutiles: se reporter aux quivalences donnes par le tableau.
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The reported speech (test n6238 - please quote this number when you contact us) RESULTS
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1. I am going to the cinema with my girlfriend. ==> He said [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HE WAS GOING TO THE CINEMA WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND. 2. You have bought yourself a lovely new dress ! ==>
He told her [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: SHE HAD BOUGHT HERSELF A LOVELY NEW DRESS 3. They are waiting outside. ==> He announced [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: THEY WERE WAITING OUTSIDE 4. I have been smoking too much. ==> She said [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: SHE HAD BEEN GREAT! Get a free English SMOKING TOO MUCH lesson every week! 5. I lost my temper last week. ==> He said [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HE HAD LOST HIS 150,000 TEMPER THE WEEK BEFORE subscribers! 6. I was as sick as a dog yesterday. ==> She told me Click here! [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: SHE HAD BEEN AS SICK AS A DOG THE DAY BEFORE 7. You play the piano very well. ==> He told her [NO Recommended: ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: SHE PLAYED THE > English PIANO VERY WELL translator 8. She has given me a birthday gift ! ==> He announced > Sites for that [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: SHE HAD teachers GIVEN HIM A BIRTHDAY GIFT. > Other sites for 9. He is sitting right behind me. ==> I told her that [NO teachers ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HE WAS SITTING RIGHT BEHIND ME 10. I will answer the phone. ==> He announced that [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HE WOULD ANSWER THE PHONE
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<25/100: 25 - 49.99/100: 50 - 74.99/100: 74.99 99.99/100: Perfect: 15.2% 20.7% 8.8% 2.6% 52.8%
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1. Sarah : I went to bed at 2 o'clock. Sarah said that she [NO ANSWER] to bed at 2 o'clock. Wrong! Correct answer: HAD GONE 2. Sarah : I'm not looking forward to work. Sarah said Home that she [NO ANSWER] forward to work. Wrong! Print Correct answer: WASN'T LOOKING Guestbook 3. Sarah : Two new people are starting work. Sarah said Report a bug that two new people [NO ANSWER] work. Wrong! Correct answer: WERE STARTING 4. Sarah : I can't remember exactly what I've got to do. Sarah said that she [NO ANSWER] exactly what she had to do. Wrong! Correct answer: COULDN'T REMEMBER GREAT! Get a free English 5. Sarah : But I won't be able to sit quietly at my desk. lesson every week! Sarah said that she [NO ANSWER] sit quietly at her desk. Wrong! Correct answer: WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO 150,000 6. Sarah : I've arranged to meet Lucy this afternoon. subscribers! Sarah said that she [NO ANSWER] to meet Lucy this Click here! afternoon. Wrong! Correct answer: HAD ARRANGED 7. Sarah : We're going to see a film. Sarah said that they [NO ANSWER] to see a film. Wrong! Correct answer: Recommended: WERE GOING > English translator > Sites for teachers > Other sites for
teachers
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<25/100: 25 - 49.99/100: 50 - 74.99/100: 74.99 99.99/100: Perfect: 35.8% 17.2% 23.4% 13.7% 9.9%
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Direct speech => Reported speech (test n745 - please quote this number when you contact us) RESULTS
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1. The train leaves at 05:32 => She said that [NO ANSWER] at 05:32. Wrong! Correct answer: THE TRAIN LEFT 2. We want to go to Disneyland => The children cried they [NO ANSWER] to Disneyland. Wrong! Correct answer: WANTED TO GO 3. John and William never write to us => Mr and Mrs Litten complained that John and William [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: NEVER WROTE TO THEM 4. It's too late to catch the train => He said that it [NO ANSWER] the train . Wrong! Correct answer: WAS TOO LATE TO CATCH
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<25/100: 25 - 49.99/100: 50 - 74.99/100: 74.99 99.99/100: Perfect: 28.5% 18.4% 20% 19.4% 13.8%
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Direct and indirect form (test n5292 - please quote this number when you contact us) RESULTS
1. John: " Where does Paul live ? " ==> Paul wondered [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: WHERE PAUL LIVED. 2. Liz: " Does John have eggs for breakfast ? ==> Liz Home wondered if [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: Print JOHN HAD EGGS FOR BREAKFAST. Guestbook 3. The campers: " Mrs Taylor, can we spend the evening Report a bug in town ?" ==> The campers asked [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: MRS TAYLOR IF THEY COULD SPEND THE EVENING IN TOWN. 4. Wilma: " Deb isn't fun to be with ".==> Wilma said [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: THAT DEB GREAT! Get a free English WASN'T FUN TO BE WITH. lesson every week! 5. Jack: " I wonder why Walter always wears a cap ". ==> Jack wondered [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct 150,000 answer: WHY WALTER ALWAYS WORE A CAP. subscribers! 6. Deb: " Wilma, you really are a nice roommate ". ==> Click here! Deb told [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: WILMA THAT SHE REALLY WAS A NICE ROOMMATE. 7. Mrs Taylor: " Where is my wallet ?" ==> Mrs Taydor Recommended: wondered [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: > English WHERE HER WALLET WAS. translator 8. Deb to Walter: " My father owns a pub in Scotland > Sites for ".==> Deb told [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct teachers answer: WALTER THAT HER FATHER OWNED A PUB IN > Other sites for SCOTLAND. teachers 9. Liz to Jack: " Will you marry me ? "==> Liz asked [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: JACK IF HE WOULD MARRY HER. 10. Liz to Paul: " Do you like going to the swimmingpool ?" ==> Liz asked [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: PAUL IF HE LIKED GOING TO THE SWIMMINGPOOL. 11. Wilma: " Why is Deb always in a bad mood ?"==> Wima wondered [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: WHY DEB WAS ALWAYS IN A BAD MOOD. 12. Paul to Walter: " Are you glad to be in England ? "
==> Paul asked [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: WALTER IF HE WAS GLAD TO BE IN ENGLAND. 13. Liz: " My brother's got a Ferrari " ==> Liz said [NO ANSWER] Wrong! Correct answer: THAT HER BROTHER HAD GOT A FERRARI. 14. Jack to Liz: "You can come and stay in my flat ". ==> Jack told [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: LIZ THAT SHE COULD COME AND STAY IN HIS FLAT. 15. Paul: " How long does Liz swim for ?" ==> Paul wondered [NO ANSWER] . Wrong! Correct answer: HOW LONG LIZ SWAM FOR.
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Results of the 2 184 people who have taken this test: Average mark: 32 /100
<25/100: 25 - 49.99/100: 50 - 74.99/100: 74.99 99.99/100: Perfect: 53.2% 24.9% 13.1% 7% 1.8%
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Direct and Indirect Speech

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