How to use indirect and direct speech, English Grammar

Direct and indirect speech, also known as reported speech, are two ways of conveying what someone else has said or written. Direct speech repeats the exact words of the speaker or writer, while indirect speech reports the meaning of the original message using different words and sentence structures.

How to use indirect and direct speech

Here are some tips on how to use direct and indirect speech correctly:

Direct Speech:

Use quotation marks: 

When using direct speech, put the exact words of the speaker or writer inside quotation marks.

Example: 

John said, "I am going to the cinema."

Use reporting verbs: 

Use a reporting verb, such as "said" or "asked", to introduce the direct speech.

Example: 

She asked, "What time is it?"

Change verb tense and pronouns: 

When using direct speech, the verb tense and pronouns should match the original message. 

For example, if the speaker said "I am happy", the direct speech should be "She said, 'I am happy'".

Indirect Speech:

Use reporting verbs: 

Use a reporting verb, such as "said" or "told", to introduce the indirect speech.

Example: 

She told me that she was going to the cinema.

Change verb tense and pronouns: 

When using indirect speech, the verb tense and pronouns should change to reflect the reported speech. 

For example, if the speaker said "I am happy", the indirect speech should be "She said that she was happy".

Use conjunctions and word order: 

In indirect speech, the word order and conjunctions change to reflect the meaning of the original message.

Example: 

Direct speech: "I will be there tomorrow," said John.

Indirect speech: John said that he would be there the following day.

In summary, direct speech repeats the exact words of the speaker or writer, while indirect speech reports the meaning of the original message using different words and sentence structures. It's important to use the appropriate reporting verb, change the verb tense and pronouns, and adjust the word order and conjunctions when using indirect speech. By understanding the difference between direct and indirect speech, you can communicate the intended meaning accurately and effectively.