There are two ways to
report what someone says or thinks:
1. Direct speech
(Quote speech) shows a person’s exact words. In direct speech, we convey the
message of the speaker in his own actual words without any change to another
person.
Quotation marks
(“….”) are a sign that the words are the EXACT words that a person used.
Example:
Maria asked, “Where are you going?” John replied, “I’m going home.”
2. Indirect speech
(Reported speech) puts the speaker’s words or ideas into a sentence without
quotation marks. In indirect speech, we convey the message of the speaker in
our own words to another person. 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:
Maria asked John where he was going. John said he was going home.
Note:
Use of the word “that” is optional in reported speech. Both of the following
sentences are correct: The boy said that he was lost. The boy said he was lost.
Procedure
of changing direct speech into indirect speech
1. Remove
comma and inverted commas.
2. Put
"that" between the reporting and reported speeches. (it is optional
to put "that" between the reporting and reported speech)
3. Change
the 1st letter of reported speech into small letter except for "I".
4. Change
the pronoun of the direct speech according to the rules.
5. Change
the tense of the direct speech appropriately according to rules.
6. Change
the words expressing nearness in time or places of the direct speech into its
appropriate words expressing distance.
Change in Pronouns
The pronouns of the Direct
Speech are changed where necessary, according to their relations with the
reporter and his hearer, rather than with the original speaker. If we change
direct speech into indirect speech, the pronouns will change in the following
ways.
|
Rules
|
Direct Speech
|
Indirect Speech
|
|
The
first person of the reported speech changes according to the subject of
reporting speech.
|
She
says, "I am in tenth class."
|
She
says, "I am in tenth class."
|
|
The
second person of reported speech changes according to the object of reporting
speech.
|
He says
to them, "You have completed your job."
|
He
tells them that they have completed their job.
|
|
The
third person of the reported speech doesn't change.
|
She
says, "She is in tenth class."
|
She
says that she is in tenth class.
|
Change in Tenses
The past perfect and past
perfect continuous tenses do not change.
|
Rules
|
Direct Speech
|
Indirect Speech
|
|
Simple
Present Changes
To Simple Past |
"I
always drink coffee", she said
|
She
said that she always drank coffee.
|
|
Present
Continuous Changes
To Past Continuous |
"I
am reading a book", he explained.
|
He
explained that he was reading a book
|
|
Present
Perfect Changes
To Past Perfect |
She
said, "He has finished his work"
|
She
said that he had finished his work.
|
|
Present
Perfect Continuous Changes
To Past Perfect Continuous |
"I
have been to Spain", he told me.
|
He told
me that he had been to Spain.
|
|
Simple
Past Changes
To Past Perfect |
"Bill
arrived on Saturday", he said.
|
He said
that Bill had arrived on Saturday
|
|
Past
Perfect Changes
To Past Perfect (No Change In Tense) |
"I
had just turned out the light," he explained.
|
He
explained that he had just turned out the light.
|
|
Past
Continuous Changes
To Past Perfect Continuous |
"We
were living in Paris", they told me.
|
They
told me that they had been living in Paris.
|
|
Future
Changes
To Present Conditional |
"I
will be in Geneva on Monday", he said
|
He said
that he would be in Geneva on Monday.
|
|
Future
Continuous Changes
To Conditional Continuous |
She
said, "I'll be using the car next Friday."
|
She
said that she would be using the car next Friday.
|
Change in Words expressing nearness
in time or places
Generally changed into words expressing distance.
|
Change of place and
time
|
Direct Speech Word
|
Indirect Speech
Word
|
|
Here
|
There
|
|
|
Today
|
that
day
|
|
|
this morning
|
that
morning
|
|
|
Yesterday
|
the day
before
|
|
|
Tomorrow
|
the
next day
|
|
|
next
week
|
the
following week
|
|
|
next
month
|
the
following month
|
|
|
Now
|
Then
|
|
|
Ago
|
Before
|
|
|
Thus
|
So
|
|
|
Last
Night
|
the
night before
|
|
|
This
|
That
|
|
|
These
|
Those
|
|
|
Hither
|
Thither
|
|
|
Hence
|
Thence
|
|
|
Come
|
Go
|
Rules for changing Direct into Indirect Speech
1. The past tense is often
used when it is uncertain if the statement is true or when we are reporting
objectively.
|
Indirect
Speech Conversion
|
Direct
Speech Condition
|
|
Present
Tenses in the Direct Speech are changed into Past Tense.
|
If the
reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense.
|
|
Do Not
Change Tense of reported Speech in Indirect Speech sentence
|
If in
direct speech you find say/says or will say.
|
|
Direct
speech the words within the quotation marks talk of a universal truth or
habitual action.
|
|
|
The
reporting verb is in a present tense.
|
2. When there are two
sentences combined with the help of a conjunction and both sentences have got
different tenses, then change the tenses of both sentences according to the
rule.
Changes in Modals
|
Rules
|
Direct Speech
|
Indirect Speech
|
|
CAN
changes into COULD
|
He
said, "I can drive a car".
|
He said
that he could drive a car.
|
|
MAY
changes into MIGHT
|
He
said, "I may buy a computer"
|
He said
that he might buy a computer.
|
|
MUST
changes into HAD TO
|
He
said, "I must work hard"
|
He said
that he had to work hard.
|
|
These
Modals Do Not Change: Would, could, might, should, ought to.
|
||
|
Would
|
They
said, "we would apply for a visa"
|
They
said that they would apply for visa.
|
|
Could
|
He
said, "I could run faster"
|
He said
that he could run faster.
|
|
Might
|
John
said, "I might meet him".
|
John
said that he might meet him.
|
|
Should
|
He
said, "I should avail the opportunity"
|
He said
that he should avail the opportunity.
|
|
Ought
to
|
He said
to me, "you ought to wait for him"
|
He said
to me that I ought to wait for him.
|
The Introductory
Sentence/Reporting verb
If
you use Reported Speech there are mostly two main differences. The introductory sentence in
Reported Speech can be in the Present or in the Past. If the introductory
sentences are in the Simple Present, there is no backshift of tenses.
Direct Speech: Susan:
“Mary works in an office.”
Reported Speech: Introductory sentence in the Simple
Present → Susan says (that)* Mary works in an office.
Introductory sentence in the
Simple Past → Susan said (that)* Mary worked in an
office.
Different Types of
Sentences
When you use reported speech, you either report:
a.
Reporting Statements
When
transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
1. Pronouns
In
reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says
what.
Example:
She says, “My dad likes roast chicken.” – She says that her dad
likes roast chicken.
2. Tenses
If
the sentence starts in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in reported speech.
If
the sentence starts in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in reported speech.
|
Direct speech
|
Reported
speech
|
|
|
(no
backshift)
|
“I write poems.”
|
He says that he writes poems.
|
|
(backshift)
|
“I write poems.”
|
He said that he wrote poems.
|
No backshift: Do not change
the tense if the introductory clause is in a present tense (e. g. He
says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present
tense verb (3rd person singular).
Example:
He says, “I write poems.” – He says that he writes English.
Backshift: You must change
the tense if the introductory clause is in a past tense (e. g. He
said).
Example:
He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.
Examples of the main changes in tense:
|
Direct Speech
|
Reported
Speech
|
|
Simple Present
He said: "I am happy" |
Simple
Past
He said that he was happy |
|
Present Progressive
He said: "I'm looking for my keys" |
Past Progressive
He said that he was looking for his keys |
|
Simple Past
He said: "I visited New York last year" |
Past Perfect Simple
He said that he had visited New York the previous year. |
|
Present Perfect
He said: " I've lived here for a long time " |
Past Perfect
He said that he had lived there for a long time |
|
Past Perfect
He said: "They had finished the work when Iarrived" |
Past Perfect
He said that they had finished the work when he had arrived" |
|
Past Progressive
He said: "I was playing football when the accident occurred" |
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football when the accident had occurred |
|
Present Perfect Progressive
He said:"I have been playing football for two hours." |
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football for two hours |
|
Past Perfect Progressive
He said: "I had been reading a newspaper when the light went off" |
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been reading a newspaper when the light had gone off |
|
Future Simple (will+verb)
He said: "I will open the door." |
Conditional (would+verb)
He said that he would open the door. |
|
Conditional (would+verb)
He said: "I would buy Mercedes if I were rich" |
Conditional (would+verb)
He said that he would buy Mercedes if he had beenrich" |
The
modal verbs could, should, would, might, needn't, ought to, used to do
not normally change.
Example: He said, "She might be right." – He said that she might be right.
Example: He said, "She might be right." – He said that she might be right.
Other
modal verbs may change:
|
Modal
|
Direct speec
|
Repored
speech
|
|
can
|
"I can do
it."
|
He
said he could do it.
|
|
may
|
"May I
go out?"
|
He
wanted to know if he might go
out.
|
|
must
|
"She must apply
for the job."
|
He
said that she must/had to apply
for the job.
|
|
will
|
"They will call
you."
|
He
tod her that they would call
her.
|
3. Place, demonstratives and time expressions
Place,
demonstratives and time expressions change if the context of the reported
statement (i.e. the location and/or the period of time) is different from that
of the direct speech.
In
the following table, you will find the different changes of place;
demonstratives and time expressions.
|
Direct Speech
|
Reported
Speech
|
|
Time
Expressions
|
|
|
today
|
that
day
|
|
now
|
Then
|
|
yesterday
|
the
day before
|
|
… days ago
|
… days
before
|
|
last week
|
the
week before
|
|
next year
|
the
following year
|
|
tomorrow
|
the
next day / the following day
|
|
Place
|
|
|
here
|
There
|
|
Demonstratives
|
|
|
this
|
That
|
|
these
|
Those
|
b. Reporting
Questions
When
transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
Pronouns,
place and time expressions, tenses (backshift)
Also
note that you have to:
·
transform the question
into an indirect question
·
use the question word
(where, when, what, how) or if / whether
|
Types of questions
|
Direct speech
|
Reported
speech
|
|
With
question word (what, why, where, how...)
|
"Why" don’t you speak English?”
|
He
asked me why I didn’t speak English.
|
|
Without
question word (yes or no questions)
|
“Do you speak English?”
|
He
asked me whether / if I spoke English.
|
c.
Reporting requests / commands
When
transforming requests and commands, check whether you have to change:
·
pronouns
·
place and time
expressions
|
Direct speech
|
Reported
speech
|
|
“Nancy,do the exercise.“
|
He
told Nancy to do the exercise.
|
|
"Nancy, give me your pen, please."
|
He
asked Nancy to give him her pen.
|
|
Tenses
are not relevant for requests – simply use to / not
to + verb (infinitive without "to")
|
Example:
She
said, “Sit down." - She asked me to sit down.
She
said, "don't be lazy" - She asked me not to be lazy
|
For affirmative use to + infinitive
(without to)
For
negative requests, use not to + infinitive (without to).
|
d.
Other transformations
Expressions of
advice with must, should and ought are usually reported
using advise / urge.
Example: “You must read this book.“
He advised / urged me to read that book.
Example: “You must read this book.“
He advised / urged me to read that book.
The
expression let’s is
usually reported using suggest. In this case, there are two
possibilities for reported speech: gerund or statement with should.
Example: “Let’s go to the cinema.“=
1. He suggested going to the cinema.
2. He suggested that we should go to the cinema.
Example: “Let’s go to the cinema.“=
1. He suggested going to the cinema.
2. He suggested that we should go to the cinema.
Changes for Imperative
Sentences
Imperative sentences do not normally
have an expressed subject. This is because the subject ‘you’ is usually
understood. As a result of this, imperative sentences begin with a verb in the
simple present tense. An imperative sentence expresses ideas
such as advice, order, request, suggestion, instruction, permission, allowance
etc. Most
commonly used words to join clauses together are ordered, requested, advised
and suggested. Forbid(s)/ forbade is used for the negative sentences.
In order to
change an imperative sentence into the indirect speech, we use a to-infinitive.
A –that clause is also possible in some cases. Note that instead of ‘said’ we
use one of the following reporting verbs: Advise, command,
request, suggest, threaten, order, forbid, decree, propose, entreat, prompt,
counsel, pardon, beg, persuade, instruct etc.
Notes:
After
suggest, we use a –that clause and not an infinitive.
The
verb propose is not followed by an object.
The
verb forbid itself conveys a negative sense. Therefore, we do not use not in
the following clause.
Examples:
Direct:
Jim said to me, ‘Please lend me your pen.’
Indirect:
Jim requested me to lend him my pen.
Direct:
The officer said to the clerk, ‘Do it immediately.’
Indirect:
The officer ordered the clerk to do it immediately.
Direct:
The doctor said to the patient, ‘Quit smoking.’
Indirect:
The doctor advised the patient to quit smoking. OR The doctor suggested that
the patient should quit smoking.
Direct:
I said to her, ‘Don’t mention his name.’
Indirect:
I forbade her to mention his name.
Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences expresses emotions. Interjections such as
Hurrah, wow, alas, oh, ah are used to express emotions. The word "that"
is used as join clause.
Rules for conversion of Exclamatory Direct Speech Sentences into
Indirect Speech Sentences
1. Exclamatory sentence
changes into assertive sentence.
2. Interjections are removed.
3. Exclamation mark changes
into full stop.
4. W.H words like ,
"what" and "how" are removed and before the adjective of
reported speech we put "very"
5. Changes of
"tenses", "pronouns" and "adjectives" will be
according to the previous rules.
|
Mood of Sentence in
Direct Speech
|
Reporting verb in
indirect verb
|
|
sorrow
in reported speech
|
Exclaimed
with sorrow/ grief/ exclaimed sorrowfully or cried out
|
|
happiness
in reported speech
|
exclaimed
with joy/ delight/ exclaimed joyfully
|
|
surprise
in reported speech
|
exclaimed
with surprise/ wonder/ astonishment"
|
|
appreciation
and it is being expressed strongly
|
Applauded
|
Exercises
Turn
the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. ‘What do you want?’ she asked him.
2. ‘Are you coming with us?’ he asked me.
3. He asked, ‘When do you intend to make the
payment?’
4. ‘Do you come from China?’ said the prince
to the girl.
5. The poor man exclaimed, ‘Will none of you
help me?’
6. ‘Which way should I go?’ asked the little
girl.
7. Alladin said to the magician, ‘What have I
done to deserve so severe a punishment?’
8. ‘Don’t you know the way home?’ I said to
her.
9. ‘Do you write a good hand?’ the teacher
said to the student.
10. ‘Have you anything to say on behalf of the
accused?’ said the judge finally.
11. ‘Have you anything to tell me, little
bird?’ asked Ulysses.
12. ‘Who are you, sir, and what do you want?’
they asked.
13. The king was impressed with the magician
and asked, ‘What can I do for you?’
14. She asked, ‘What is it that makes you
stronger and braver than other men?’
15. ‘Can you solve this problem?’ he asked me.
Answers
1. She asked him what he wanted.
2. He asked me if I was coming/going with
them.
3. He enquired when I/he/she intended to make
the payment.
4. The prince asked the girl if she came from
China.
5. The poor man exclaimed whether none of them
would help him.
6. The little girl asked which way she should
go.
7. Alladin asked the magician what he had done
to deserve so severe a punishment.
8. I asked her whether she did not know the
way home.
9. The teacher asked the student if he/she
wrote a good hand.
10. The
judge finally asked whether he/she had anything to say on behalf of the
accused.
11. Ulysses asked the little bird whether it
had anything to tell him.
12. They asked who he was and what he wanted.
13. The king was impressed with the magician
and asked what he could do for him.
14. She asked him what was it that made him
stronger and braver than other men.
15. He asked me if I could solve that problem.
Sources
:
http://www.myenglishpages.com
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