Direct and Indirect Speech

By the end of the lesson I will: Understand the difference between direct and indirect speech. Be able to apply this knowledge in my writing. Accurately punctuate direct and indirect speech Know when and how to change pronouns and verb tenses in indirect speech.

Direct speech When we use direct speech in our writing: The exact words spoken must be put inside speech marks. “ ” The first spoken word must have a capital letter. When a new speaker begins, we must start a new line.

Here are some terms that are used in direct speech and what they will change to when moving to indirect speech.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech simple present He said, “I go to school every day.” simple past He said (that) he went to school every day. simple past  He said, “I went to school every day.” past perfect He said (that) he had gone to school every day. present perfect  He said, “I have gone to school every day.” past perfect  He said (that) he had gone to school every day. present progressive He said, “I am going to school every day.” past progressive He said (that) he was going to school every day. past progressive He said, “I was going to school every day.” perfect progressive He said (that) he had been going to school every day, future (will) He said, “I will go to school every day.” would + verb name He said (that) he would go to school every day. future (going to) He said, “I am going to school every day.” present progressive He said (that) he is going to school every day. past progressive He said (that) he was going to school every day auxiliary + verb name He said, “Do you go to school every day?” He said, “Where do you go to school?” simple past He asked me if I went to school every day.* He asked me where I went to school.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech The situation changes if instead of the common said another part of the very to say is used. In that case the verb tenses usually remain the same. Some examples of this situation are given below. Direct Speech Indirect Speech simple present + simple present He says, “I go to school every day.” simple present + simple present He says (that) he goes to school every day. present perfect + simple present He has said, “I go to school every day.” present perfect + simple present He has said (that) he goes to school every day. past progressive + simple past He was saying, “I went to school every day.” past progressive + simple past He was saying (that) he went to school every day. past progressive + past perfect He was saying (that) he had gone to school every day. future + simple present He will say, “I go to school every day.” future + simple present He will say (that) he goes to school every day.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech Another situation is the one in which modal constructions are used. If the verb said is used, then the form of the modal, or another modal that has a past meaning is used. Direct Speech Indirect Speech can He said, “I can go to school every day.” could He said (that) he could go to school every day. may He said, “I may go to school every day.” might He said (that) he might go to school every day. might He said, “I might go to school every day.”   must He said, “I must go to school every day.” had to He said (that) he had to go to school every day. have to He said, “I have to go to school every day.” should He said, “I should go to school every day.” should He said (that) he should go to school every day. ought to He said, “I ought to go to school every day.” ought to He said (that) he ought to go to school every day.

Questions Indirect Questions if, whether General questions “Are you watching TV?” “Do you play chess?” “Does she go to school?” “Are you listening to me?” “Have you done your homework?” “Did you skate last winter?” “Will you see your friend tomorrow?” if, whether …I was watching TV. …I played chess. …she went to school. …I was listening to him. …I had done my homework. …I had skated the winter before. …I should see my friend the next day.

Here are some examples of direct speech.

Direct Speech I’ve hurt my leg! “I’ve hurt my leg!” moaned the boy.

Can you take a deep breath? Direct speech Can you take a deep breath? “Can you take a deep breath?” asked the doctor.

Direct speech I like this dress. The woman said, “I like this dress.”

Use the correct punctuation to write what is being said. Direct Speech Use the correct punctuation to write what is being said. The train will leave in ten minutes! I’ve caught three fish. I love ice cream. Do you know what type of angle this is? I am a clever girl.

Indirect speech This is sometimes called REPORTED SPEECH. When we use indirect speech in our writing: We don’t use speech marks. We usually have to change pronouns and verb tenses. We don’t have to start a new line when we report a new speaker’s words.

Here are some examples of indirect speech.

Direct Speech The boy moaned that he had hurt his leg. I’ve hurt my leg! The boy moaned that he had hurt his leg.

Can you take a deep breath? Direct speech Can you take a deep breath? The doctor asked the boy if he could take a deep breath.

The woman said that she liked the dress. Direct speech I like this dress. The woman said that she liked the dress.

Use the correct punctuation to report what was said. Indirect Speech Use the correct punctuation to report what was said. The train will leave in ten minutes! I’ve caught three fish. I love ice cream. Do you know what type of angle this is? I am a clever girl.

He said he’d caught three fish He said he’d caught three fish. Не shouted (that) the train would leave in ten minutes! She said she was a clever girl. He said he loved ice cream. She asked if I knew what type of angle this was?

QUESTIONS Is your father still in Moscow? We asked the girl if her father was still in Moscow. I wanted to know when he had fallen ill. Is your father still in Moscow? When did you fall ill?

By the end of the lesson I will look for evidence to show that you will: Understand the difference between direct and indirect speech. Be able to apply this knowledge in your writing. Accurately punctuate direct and indirect speech Know when and how to change pronouns and verb tenses in indirect speech.