Here's what's involved:
1. Changes in Verb Tense:
* Direct speech: "I am going to the store," she said.
* Indirect speech: She said that she was going to the store.
Notice the shift from the present tense ("am going") in direct speech to the past tense ("was going") in indirect speech.
2. Changes in Pronouns:
* Direct speech: "You need to study harder," the teacher said.
* Indirect speech: The teacher said that I needed to study harder.
The pronoun "you" in direct speech becomes "I" in indirect speech because the speaker is now reporting what the teacher said to *them*.
3. Changes in Time and Place:
* Direct speech: "I will meet you at the park tomorrow," he said.
* Indirect speech: He said that he would meet me at the park the next day.
"Tomorrow" becomes "the next day" and "you" becomes "me" to reflect the shift in context.
4. Changes in Reporting Verbs:
* Direct speech: "Please, come in," she said.
* Indirect speech: She asked me to come in.
The reporting verb changes to reflect the type of utterance. "Said" is used for statements, "asked" for questions, and "told" for commands.
Why use indirect speech?
* Smooth and natural conversation: Instead of directly quoting someone, indirect speech makes the flow of conversation more natural and cohesive.
* Avoids repetition: If you need to repeat a statement multiple times, using indirect speech can make your conversation less repetitive.
* Provides context: Indirect speech allows you to provide context and explanation around the quoted statement.
Key Takeaways:
* Indirect speech is about reporting what someone said without directly quoting them.
* It involves changing the verb tense, pronouns, time and place references, and reporting verbs to fit the current conversation.
* It helps create a smoother flow and avoids repetition in conversation.