Direct Speech and Reported Speech/Narration

Direct Speech and

 Reported

Speech/Narration

There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

The child said that they were lost.

The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

simple present to simple past
past to past perfect
present perfect to past perfect

in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Quotation                       

a) "Where do they live?"

b) What time is it?"     

c) "Why did you say that?"

d) "Where will you stay?"

Reported Speech”

a) Abdul wanted to know where they live.

b) Do you know what time it is?

c) Pedro asked me why I had said that.

d) Have you decided where you will stay?

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Quotation

a) "I am hungry."

b) "Where will you be?"

c) "Have you seen my glasses?"

Reported Speech”

a) Hongzia said she was hungry.

b) Anastasia wanted to know where I would be.

c) Aiden asked me if I had seen their glasses.


Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and time.

Quotation                       

a) "I don't like this book."

b) "I'll see you tomorrow" (spoken on Thursday)

Reported Speech”

a) Seon said he didn't like that book.

b) Michiko said she would see me yesterday. (reported on Saturday)


Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Quotation

a) "You should arrive early."

b) "Don't wait to apply."

c) "Shema should call me."

Reported Speech”

a) Alex recommended that we arrive early.

b) Hai recommended that I not wait to apply.

c) I will suggest that Shema call you.


Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

An infinitive

Quotation

a) "Call me when you get home."

b) "Plan ahead."

Reported Speech”

a) Mom said we should call her when we get home.
                               Or
Mom said to call her when we get home.

b) My father told me that I should plan ahead.

                               Or
My father told me to plan ahead.

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with "if"

An infinitive

Quotation

Action:

a) "Will you carry the box for me?"

Permission:

b) "Can I make an appointment?"


Reported Speech”

a) She asked if I would carry the box for her.

                                 Or

She asked me to carry the box for her.


b) Durand asked if he could make an appointment.


Durand asked to make an appointment.



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