Direct Speech
* What it is: Direct speech uses the exact words someone said, enclosed in quotation marks.
* When to use it:
* To emphasize the speaker's words: Direct speech makes their words more impactful and immediate.
* For dialogue in fiction: Direct speech is essential for creating realistic and engaging conversations between characters.
* To convey the speaker's tone and attitude: The way someone says something is often as important as what they say.
Examples:
* "I'm going to the store," Sarah said.
* "Don't worry, I've got this," John assured her.
* "Where did you put the keys?" she asked frantically.
Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
* What it is: Indirect speech reports what someone said without using their exact words. It uses a reporting verb (e.g., said, asked, told) and often changes pronouns and verb tenses.
* When to use it:
* To summarize or paraphrase: When you don't need to quote someone verbatim.
* To provide context or background information: Indirect speech can be used to set the scene or introduce a topic.
* When the exact words are less important: If the content is more important than the speaker's exact phrasing.
Examples:
* Sarah said that she was going to the store.
* John assured her that he had it under control.
* She asked frantically where he had put the keys.
Key Differences:
* Punctuation: Direct speech uses quotation marks. Indirect speech does not.
* Verb tenses: Direct speech uses the same verb tense as the original utterance. Indirect speech often shifts the tense.
* Pronouns: Direct speech uses the same pronouns as the original utterance. Indirect speech may change pronouns based on the context.
Example:
Direct Speech: "I am going to the cinema tomorrow," she said.
Indirect Speech: She said that she was going to the cinema the next day.
Important Note: Remember to adjust the verb tense and pronouns in indirect speech to match the reporting verb and the context.