DIRECT VERSES REPORTED SPEECH - Angelfire



DIRECT VERSES REPORTED SPEECH

(a) What is direct speech?

It is the spoken word and will be indicated by inverted commas.

For eg:

“I need your advice,” she said.

“I am feeling giddy,” he complained.

(b) What is reported speech?

We often tell people what others have told us. This is called reported speech or indirect speech.

For eg:

She said that she needed my advice.

He complained that he was feeling giddy.

DIFFERENCES

1) Statements are usually reported with a past tense verb and an optional that. All tenses that follow must move back into the past. This is sometimes called backshift.

Present continuous to past continuous:

“We are having our dinner.”

She said that they were having their dinner.

Past simple to past perfect:

“I wrote a letter to her.”

He said that he had written a letter to her.

NOTE:

If the report is about something that is always true, it may not be necessary to backshift.

“I like sunflowers.”

She said that she likes sunflowers.

“Tokyo is the capital of Japan.”

He said that Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

2) Speakers can be mentioned at the beginning or end of the sentence in direct speech.

John said, “We’re going to miss the bus.”

“We’re going to miss the bus,” said John

Speakers are mentioned at the beginning of the sentence in reported speech.

John said that they were going to miss the bus.

3) In reported speech, references to people, places and times often change because the point of view changes.

“I’ll see you here tomorrow,” said Mary.

Mary said she would see me there the next day.

“I bought this book yesterday,” said Martin.

Martin said he had bought the book the day before.

4) Sometimes when reporting, we can summarize what people say.

“Look, how many times must I tell you to do your homework?”

Her mother said she had to do her homework.

REPORTING VERBS

Reporting verbs include part of the meaning of the words reported. Here are some of the most common reporting verbs.

Advise “I wouldn’t buy that dress if I were you.”

I advised her not to buy the dress.

Agree “Yes, Jill, I think you are right,” said Jack

Jack agreed with Jill.

Ask “Sharon, do you think you could help me?”

I asked Sharon to help me.

Invite “Would you like to come to my house for tea?”

I invited her to my house for tea.

Promise “I will be home by 11 tonight.”

She promised to be home by 11 tonight.

Remind “Don’t forget to send Jan a birthday card, Amy.”

I reminded Amy to send Jan a birthday card.

Suggest “How about going to the beach?” said Carlos

Carlos suggested going to the beach.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Exercises

A) Rewrite each sentence in direct speech, ending as shown.

1) Anna told us that she had finished her homework.

“ ___________________________________ ,” Anna told us.

2) George said that he would be back at 6:00pm.”

“ ____________________________________________ , “ George said.

3) Helen said she was going shopping.

“ ________________________________________ ,” said Helen

4) Paul said that he wanted to make a phone call.

“ _________________________________________________ ,” said Paul

5) Tina told her teacher she had forgotten her homework.

“ ____________________________________________________ ,” Tina told the teacher.

6) Jane told me she would let me know.

“ _______________________________________________ , “ Jane told me.

7) Bill said he was going to be late.

“ ____________________________________________,” Bill said

B) Rewrite each sentence in reported speech, beginning as shown.

1) “I won’t be there because I’m having a party,” said Usha.

Usha told us that she __________________________________________

2) “I’ve lost the map and I don’t know the way,” said Bryan.

Bryan told me that he __________________________________________

3) “When I finish my homework, I’m going to watch television,” said Carol.

Carol said that when ___________________________________________

4) “I like swimming but I don’t go often,” said Connie.

Connie told us that she _________________________________________

5) “I want to buy it but I haven’t brought any money,’ said Tony.

Tony said that he _____________________________________________

6) “I got up late and I missed the bus,’ said Richard.

Richard said _________________________________________________

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