Indirect Quotations: Reporting What Someone Said Without Their Exact Words
Indirect quotations, also called reported speech, are a way of conveying what someone said without directly quoting their exact words. Instead, you paraphrase the speaker's message using your own words.
Here's what makes indirect quotations different from direct quotations:
* No quotation marks: Indirect quotations don't use quotation marks.
* Changes in tense and pronouns: The tense and pronouns are often adjusted to match the context of the reporting verb.
* Focus on the gist of the message: They prioritize conveying the speaker's meaning rather than their exact phrasing.
Here's an example:
Direct quote: "I'm going to the store," she said.
Indirect quote: She said that she was going to the store.
Here's why we use indirect quotations:
* To avoid interrupting the flow of your writing: Using direct quotes can sometimes make your writing choppy.
* To condense long or complex quotes: Indirect quotes allow you to summarize the main points of a lengthy passage.
* To avoid the need for precise accuracy: Sometimes, the exact wording isn't important, and an indirect quote is sufficient.
Here are some key features of indirect quotations:
* Reporting verb: An indirect quote is introduced by a reporting verb, such as "said," "explained," "asked," "commented," etc.
* Conjunction "that": The conjunction "that" is often used to connect the reporting verb with the indirect quote (though it's not always necessary).
* Tense and pronoun changes: The tense and pronouns in the indirect quote are adjusted to match the reporting verb's tense and the context of the sentence.
Example:
* Direct quote: "I saw a blue bird," he said.
* Indirect quote: He said that he had seen a blue bird. (The tense shifts from present to past, and the pronoun "I" changes to "he")
By understanding the nuances of indirect quotations, you can effectively convey information from others while maintaining a smooth and engaging writing style.