Indirect Speech: Reporting what someone said, without quoting them directly
Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is a way of reporting what someone said without using their exact words. It involves changing the original words into a different grammatical structure and, often, adjusting the tenses.
Here's how it works:
1. Start with a reporting verb: This indicates who is speaking and what action they are performing (e.g., said, told, asked, explained).
2. Use a conjunction: "that" is often used, but other conjunctions like "if" or "whether" might be necessary depending on the original sentence.
3. Change the tense: The tenses of the original sentence are adjusted to reflect the past tense of reporting the speech.
4. Adjust pronouns and time references: If necessary, change pronouns and time references to reflect the change in speaker and time.
Example:
Direct Speech: "I am going to the cinema tonight," she said.
Indirect Speech: She said that she was going to the cinema that night.
Key Differences:
* Direct speech uses quotation marks to enclose the exact words spoken.
* Indirect speech does not use quotation marks.
* Tenses are adjusted in indirect speech to reflect the past tense of reporting.
* Pronouns and time references might be changed in indirect speech to fit the context.
Why use indirect speech?
* It can be more concise and efficient than using direct speech.
* It allows for a smoother flow in writing or conversation.
* It can be used to summarize or paraphrase someone's words.
Important notes:
* The original meaning should be preserved in indirect speech.
* The choice of reporting verb can affect the meaning of the reported speech.
* Questions in indirect speech are usually introduced with "if" or "whether".
Understanding indirect speech is essential for effective communication, allowing you to accurately report what someone said while maintaining the clarity and context of the original statement.