Reported Speech: Telling someone what someone else said
Reported speech is a way of talking about what someone else said, but not using their exact words. It's like summarizing or paraphrasing what they said. It's also called indirect speech.
Here's how it works:
* Direct Speech: The exact words someone said, usually enclosed in quotation marks.
* Example: "I am going to the store," she said.
* Reported Speech: A rephrased version of what was said, without using quotation marks.
* Example: She said that she was going to the store.
Key changes in reported speech:
* Tense shift: The tense of the verb usually changes to reflect the past tense of the reporting verb (like "said").
* Example: "I am tired," she said. -> She said that she was tired.
* Pronoun changes: Pronouns may need to change depending on the context.
* Example: "You are late," he said to her. -> He told her that she was late.
* Time and place references may need to change:
* Example: "I'll see you tomorrow," she said. -> She said she would see me the next day.
Here are some examples of reported speech:
* Direct Speech: "I love pizza," he said.
* Reported Speech: He said that he loved pizza.
* Direct Speech: "Where are you going?" she asked.
* Reported Speech: She asked where I was going.
* Direct Speech: "I will be back in an hour," he told me.
* Reported Speech: He told me that he would be back in an hour.
Why use reported speech?
* To avoid being repetitive: Instead of repeating the exact same words every time, reported speech can provide variety and make the language more concise.
* To summarise longer conversations: It allows you to convey the main points of what was said, without including every detail.
* To make a story more engaging: Reported speech can add nuance and perspective to a narrative.
Understanding reported speech is crucial for effective communication. It helps us understand and convey information accurately and efficiently, making our language more versatile and engaging.