Guide to Direct and Indirect Speech

1. Understanding Direct Speech:

a. Definition: Direct speech is the verbatim reporting of someone's words, enclosed in

quotation marks, without any changes to the original wording.

b. Example: "She said, 'I am going to the store.'"

2. Understanding Indirect Speech:

a. Definition: Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves paraphrasing

someone's words without using their exact words. It usually requires changes in
pronouns, tenses, and time expressions.

b. Example: "She said that she was going to the store."

3. Changes in Tenses, Pronouns, and Time Expressions:

a. Tenses:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

He said, "I like ice cream."
She said, "I went to the park."
They say, "We are studying."
He said, "I was reading a book."
She says, "I will visit tomorrow."
He said that he liked ice cream.
She said that she had gone to the park.
They say that they are studying.
He said that he had been reading a book.
She says that she will visit the next day.

b. Pronouns:

• Pronouns in indirect speech may change based on the subject of the reporting
clause and the reported clause.

• First-person pronouns (I, we) usually change according to the subject of the
reporting clause.

• Second-person pronouns (you) may change based on the context and

relationship between the speaker and listener.
 • Third-person pronouns (he, she, they) may change based on the gender and
number of the subject of the reporting clause.

c. Time Expressions:

• Time expressions often change in indirect speech to reflect the shift from the
time of speaking in the direct speech to the time of reporting in the indirect
speech.

• Words like "today" may change to "that day," "tomorrow" to "the next day,"
"yesterday" to "the previous day," etc.

4. Importance of Direct and Indirect Speech:

• Direct speech adds authenticity and immediacy to dialogues, allowing characters'

voices to be heard directly.
• Indirect speech is useful for summarizing or reporting conversations, thoughts, or
statements without using direct quotations.

5. Summary:

• Direct speech reproduces someone's words verbatim within quotation marks.

• Indirect speech paraphrases someone's words without using their exact words,
often requiring changes in tenses, pronouns, and time expressions.
• Understanding the rules for converting between direct and indirect speech is
essential for accurate reporting and effective communication.