1. Overview:
Direct and indirect speech are ways to convey what someone has said. Direct speech quotes the exact words of the speaker, while indirect speech reports what someone said without quoting their exact words. This is used to share information or tell stories.
2. Cases of Usage:
Case 1: Direct Speech
Direct speech is used when you want to repeat someone's words exactly.
Example: She said, "I am going to the store."
Case 2: Indirect Speech
Indirect speech is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. The tense often changes.
Example: She said that she was going to the store.
Case 3: Reporting Questions
When reporting a question, the structure changes. The question becomes a statement, and the verb tense often changes.
Example: He asked, "What time is it?"
Becomes: He asked what time it was.
Case 4: Reporting Commands
When reporting a command, you often use the verb "to tell" with "to."
Example: She said, "Close the door."
Becomes: She told me to close the door.
3. Exceptions or Things to Pay Attention To:
Not all verbs change tense in indirect speech. For example, if the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense in indirect speech may stay the same.
Example: He says, "I like chocolate" becomes "He says that he likes chocolate."
Also, when the information is still true or a universal fact, the tense does not change.
Example: He said, "The Earth orbits the Sun" becomes "He said that the Earth orbits the Sun."
4. Additional Notes:
Common mistakes include forgetting to change the pronouns and the tense in indirect speech. Remember to adjust pronouns according to the context.
Example: "I will help you, she said" becomes "She said that she would help me."
