English Direct And Indirect Speech For Cadet College

Direct Speech

Direct Speech shows the exact words spoken by someone, placed inside quotation marks (“ ”).

We use the reporting verb (said, told, asked, etc.) to show who is speaking.

Examples:

• He said, “I am happy.”
• She asked, “Where are you going?”

Indirect Speech

Indirect Speech (or Reported Speech) tells what someone said, but without quoting exact words.

The reporting verb is usually followed by that, if, or a question word.

Examples:

• He said that he was happy.
• She asked where I was going.

Basic Changes from Direct to Indirect Speech

When changing from Direct to Indirect Speech, we usually make these changes:

Change in Pronouns

Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener.

Example:

• Direct: She said, “I like tea.”
• Indirect: She said that she liked tea.

 Change in Tense

If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech usually changes:

Example:

• Direct: He said, “I am reading a book.”
• Indirect: He said that he was reading a book.

Change in Time Words

Sometimes expressions change in Indirect Speech:

Example:

• Direct: She said, “I will see you tomorrow.”
• Indirect: She said that she would see me the next day.

Changing Statements

• Rule: Use that in indirect speech.
• Example:
• Direct: He said, “I like pizza.”
• Indirect: He said that he liked pizza.

 Changing Questions

• Remove question marks in indirect speech.
• Use if/whether for Yes/No questions.
• Keep question words (what, where, why, when, how) for WH-questions.

Examples:

• Direct: She asked, “Do you like coffee?”
• Indirect: She asked if I liked coffee.
• Direct: He asked, “Where are you going?”
• Indirect: He asked where I was going.

Changing Commands and Requests

• Use to + verb for commands and requests.
• Use not to + verb for negative commands.

Examples:

• Direct: She said, “Close the door.”
• Indirect: She told me to close the door.
• Direct: He said, “Don’t be late.”
• Indirect: He told me not to be late.

Changing Exclamations and Wishes

• Use reporting verbs like exclaimed, wished, prayed, and hoped.

Examples:

• Direct: She said, “What a beautiful day!”
• Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
• Direct: He said, “I wish I were rich.”
• Indirect: He wished that he were rich.