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Introduction to Indirect Speech
Indirect speech, or reported speech, conveys what someone has said without quoting their exact words. Instead of using quotation marks, it paraphrases the original statement.
Example
  • Direct Speech: She said, "I will come to the party."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that she would come to the party.
Structure of Indirect Speech
1. Basic Structure
The basic structure of indirect speech consists of a reporting clause followed by the indirect speech.
    Examples
  • Reporting Clause: He said
  • Indirect Speech: that he was hungry.
  • Complete Sentence: He said that he was hungry.
2. Removing Quotation Marks
In indirect speech, quotation marks are omitted, as the exact words of the speaker are not used. Instead of quoting the speaker, the statement is paraphrased.
    Examples
  • Direct Speech: She said, "I am tired."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that she was tired.
3. Using “That” in Indirect Speech
The word "that" is often used to introduce the indirect speech, although it can be omitted in informal contexts.
    Examples
  • With "that": He said that he would call later.
  • Without "that": He said he would call later.
Changing Tenses in Indirect Speech
Overview of Tense Changes
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, the tense of the verb typically shifts back to reflect the change in perspective. Here are the common tense changes:
    Examples
  • Present Simple → Past Simple
  • Present Continuous → Past Continuous
  • Present Perfect → Past Perfect
  • Past Simple → Past Perfect
  • Future Simple → Conditional
Examples of Common Tense Changes
    1. Present Simple to Past Simple:
  • Direct Speech: She said, "I am happy."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that she was happy.
    2. Present Continuous to Past Continuous:
  • Direct Speech: He said, "I am studying."
  • Indirect Speech: He said that he was studying.
    3. Present Perfect to Past Perfect:
  • Direct Speech: They said, "We have completed the project."
  • Indirect Speech: They said that they had completed the project.
    4. Past Simple to Past Perfect:
  • Direct Speech: John said, "I visited Paris."
  • Indirect Speech: John said that he had visited Paris.
    5. Future Simple to Conditional:
  • Direct Speech: Mary said, "I will join you."
  • Indirect Speech: Mary said that she would join us.
Changing Pronouns in Indirect Speech
Adjusting Pronouns Based on the Context
In indirect speech, pronouns must be adjusted according to the context of the reporting sentence. This change reflects the perspective of the speaker and ensures clarity in communication. Common adjustments include:
    Examples
  • I → he/she
  • You → he/she or they
  • My → his/her
  • Your → his/her
  • We → they
  • Our → their
  • They → we
Examples of Pronoun Changes
  • Direct Speech: She said, "I will call you."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that she would call him.
  • Direct Speech: He said, "You are my best friend."
  • Indirect Speech: He said that I was his best friend.
  • Direct Speech: They said, "We need your help."
  • Indirect Speech: They said that they needed our help.
  • Direct Speech: John said, "I finished my homework."
  • Indirect Speech: John said that he had finished his homework.
  • Direct Speech: Mary said, "You should join us."
  • Indirect Speech: Mary said that I should join them.
Changing Time Expressions in Indirect Speech
Adjusting Time Words
In indirect speech, time expressions often change to reflect the shift in context from the original statement to the reporting sentence. Here are some common adjustments:
    Examples
  • today → that day
  • now → then
  • tomorrow → the next day / the following day
  • yesterday → the day before / the previous day
  • last week → the week before / the previous week
  • next week → the following week
  • soon → shortly / a little later
  • in a week → in a week’s time / the following week
Examples of Time Expression Changes
  • Direct Speech: She said, "I will see you today."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that she would see me that day.
  • Direct Speech: He said, "I am leaving now."
  • Indirect Speech: He said that he was leaving then.
  • Direct Speech: They said, "We will meet tomorrow."
  • Indirect Speech: They said that they would meet the next day.
  • Direct Speech: John said, "I finished it yesterday."
  • Indirect Speech: John said that he had finished it the day before.
  • Direct Speech: Mary said, "I will call you next week."
  • Indirect Speech: Mary said that she would call me the following week.
Reporting Questions
1. Structure for Indirect Questions
When reporting questions in indirect speech, the structure consists of a reporting verb followed by the indirect question. Common reporting verbs include "ask," "inquire," and "want to know."
    Examples
  • Direct Question: He asked, "Are you coming?"
  • Indirect Question: He asked if she was coming.
  • Direct Question: She asked, "What is your name?"
  • Indirect Question: She asked what my name was.
2. Changes in Word Order for Indirect Questions
In indirect questions, the word order changes from a question format to a statement format. The subject comes before the verb.
    Examples
  • Direct Question: "What time does the meeting start?"
  • Indirect Question: She asked what time the meeting started.
  • Direct Question: "Where are you going?"
  • Indirect Question: He asked where I was going.
3. Examples of Reporting Yes/No and WH-Questions
    Examples
  • Direct Speech: He asked, "Is it raining?"
  • Indirect Speech: He asked if it was raining.
  • Direct Speech: He asked, "Where are you going?"
  • Indirect Speech: He asked where I was going.
Reporting Commands and Requests
1. Structure for Indirect Commands
When reporting commands in indirect speech, the structure consists of a reporting verb followed by the command. The command is typically introduced with "to."
    Examples
  • Direct Command: He said, "Leave the room."
  • Indirect Command: He told her to leave the room.
  • Direct Command: She said, "Finish your homework."
  • Indirect Command: She asked him to finish his homework.
2. Using Verbs like "ask," "tell," and "order"
Common reporting verbs for commands and requests include "ask," "tell," "order," and "request." The choice of verb can slightly change the meaning or tone of the command.
    Examples
  • Direct Speech: He said, "Please help me."
  • Indirect Speech: He asked me to help him.
  • Direct Speech: She said, "You must be quiet."
  • Indirect Speech: She told us to be quiet.
  • Direct Speech: The teacher said, "Don't speak during the test."
  • Indirect Speech: The teacher ordered us not to speak during the test.
3. Examples of Reporting Requests and Commands
    Examples
  • Direct Speech: "Close the door."
  • Indirect Speech: He asked her to close the door.
  • Direct Speech: "Please send me the report."
  • Indirect Speech: She requested that I send her the report.
  • Direct Speech: "Help your brother with his homework."
  • Indirect Speech: She told him to help his brother with his homework.
  • Direct Speech: "Don't forget to call me."
  • Indirect Speech: He reminded her not to forget to call him.
Common Reporting Verbs
1. Overview of Reporting Verbs
Reporting verbs are crucial for conveying what someone has said, asked, or suggested. Common reporting verbs include "said," "told," "asked," and "suggested."
    Examples
  • Said (used for general statements)
  • Told (used when giving information or instructions)
  • Asked (used for questions or requests)
  • Suggested (used to recommend an idea)
Summary of Common Reporting Verbs
Verb
Usage
Example
Said
General statements without an object
He said that it was a nice day.
Told
Statements or commands with a direct object
She told him to be careful.
Asked
Questions or requests
He asked whether she was coming.
Suggested
Recommendations or proposals
They suggested that we go for a walk.
Indirect Speech with Modal Verbs
1. How Modal Verbs Change in Indirect Speech
When converting direct speech that includes modal verbs into indirect speech, some modal verbs change form. Common changes include:
    Examples
  • Can → Could
  • May → Might
  • Will → Would
  • Shall → Should
  • Must → Had to (in some contexts)
2. Examples of Modal Changes
    Examples
  • Direct Speech: "I can swim."
  • Indirect Speech: He said that he could swim.
  • Direct Speech: "You may leave early."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that I might leave early.
  • Direct Speech: "I will help you."
  • Indirect Speech: He promised that he would help me.
  • Direct Speech: "We shall meet tomorrow."
  • Indirect Speech: She said that we should meet the next day.
  • Direct Speech: "You must finish your work."
  • Indirect Speech: He insisted that I had to finish my work.
Summary of Modal Verb Changes
Modal Verb
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech
Can
"I can help you."
He said that he could help me.
May
"You may join us."
She said that I might join them.
Will
"I will call you."
He said that he would call me.
Shall
"We shall see."
She said that we should see.
Must
"You must try this."
He said that I had to try it.