Direct and Indirect Speech
Also known as "reported speech," this is a fundamental concept for reporting what someone else has said. Understanding the difference is key to clear communication.
Direct Speech
Quoting the exact words of the speaker.
This form uses quotation marks (" ") to show the speaker's words precisely as they were spoken.
Structure: Reporting verb + "Exact Words"
- She said, "I am going to the library."
- "I love this song," he exclaimed.
Indirect (Reported) Speech
Reporting the meaning of what someone said.
This form rephrases the speaker's words, so no quotation marks are needed. Tenses, pronouns, and other words often change.
Structure: Reporting verb + that + reported words
- She said that she was going to the library.
- He exclaimed that he loved that song.
Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech
Follow these key steps to convert speech correctly.
- Remove Quotation Marks: The new sentence is a report, not a direct quote.
- Change Pronouns: Pronouns change to reflect the new speaker's perspective (e.g., "I" might become "he" or "she").
- Shift the Tense (Backshift): If the reporting verb (like "said" or "told") is in the past, the verb tense in the reported speech usually moves one step back into the past.
- Adjust Time & Place Words: Words like "today," "tomorrow," and "here" must be changed to reflect the new time and place of reporting.
Tense Changes (Backshifting)
This is one of the most important rules when the reporting verb is in the past.
| Direct Speech Tense | Indirect Speech Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple (is/am/are) | Past Simple (was/were) | "I am happy." → He said he was happy. |
| Present Continuous (is/are -ing) | Past Continuous (was/were -ing) | "She is reading." → He said she was reading. |
| Simple Past (ate) | Past Perfect (had eaten) | "I ate an apple." → She said she had eaten an apple. |
| Present Perfect (have/has + V3) | Past Perfect (had + V3) | "We have finished." → They said they had finished. |
| will | would | "I will call you." → He said he would call me. |
| can | could | "I can help." → She said she could help. |
Time and Place Word Changes
| Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|
| today | that day |
| yesterday | the day before |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| now | then |
| here | there |
| this | that |
| these | those |
Important Tip: Reporting Questions
When reporting a question, the word order changes back to a statement form and you don't use a question mark.
- Direct: He asked, "Where are you going?"
- Indirect: He asked where I was going.
- Direct: She asked, "Are you tired?"
- Indirect: She asked if I was tired.