If you need to convey what someone said, you can do this using direct speech (Direct Speech) or indirect speech (Indirect Speech).
In direct speech, what someone said is conveyed exactly, without changes, and is framed in quotation marks. In indirect speech, some of the speaker's words can be changed, and quotation marks are not put.
Examples:Direct Speech: Bob said, “Paris is great.” Bob said, "Paris is beautiful."
Indirect Speech: Bob said (that) Paris was great. Bob said that Paris is beautiful.
Rules for converting direct speech into indirect speech
There are simple rules for the transmission of direct speech by indirect speech:
1. Verbs in direct speech in the form of Present Tense are used in indirect speech in the form of Past Tense. Additionally about.
present simple → past simple
Present Continuous → Past continuous
Present Perfect → past perfect
2. Verbs in direct speech in the Past Tense form are used in indirect speech in the Past Perfect form (or may not be used). Additionally about.
past simple → past perfect
Present Perfect → past perfect
3. Verbs in direct speech do not change in form.
past perfect → past perfect
4. Verbs in direct speech in any future tense pass into the corresponding future in the past in indirect speech. Additionally about.
Future Simple → Future Simple in the Past
Future Continuous → Future Continuous in the Past
Future Perfect → Future Perfect in the Past
5. Forms in direct speech in the form of Past Tense change in indirect speech as follows.
can → could
will → would
shall → should
may → might
But Past Tense forms from modal verbs could, would, should, might preserved in indirect speech.
6. Modal verb must in indirect speech may not change, or may take the form of the past tense from the construction have to = had to.
7. and adverbs of time and place in direct speech are replaced in indirect speech in meaning by other words, as in Russian.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| here | there |
| this | that/the |
| these | those |
| now | then |
| today | that day |
| today | that night |
| tomorrow | the next day/the following day |
| yesterday | the day before/the previous day |
| next Monday | the next Monday |
| last Friday | the previous Friday |
| the day before yesterday | two days before/two days earlier |
| ago | before |
Examples: He said, “I shall do it tomorrow.” He said he would do it tomorrow.
He said that he would do it the next day. He said he would do it the next day.
8. and direct speech are replaced by meaning, as in Russian.
Examples: He says, “I have your T-shirt.” He says: "I have your T-shirt."
He says that he has my T-shirt. He says he has my T-shirt.
Indirect speech
In order to convey the speaker's speech, that is, to quote him, we use indirect speech.
Example:
My mother says "I want a new dress" - My mother says: "I want a new dress." (direct speech)
My mother says that she wants a new dress - My mother says that she wants a new dress. (indirect speech)
Remember that when we transmit indirect speech in the past tense, we follow the rules for coordinating tenses.
Example: My mother said she wanted a new dress. - My mom said she wants a new dress.
Indirect speech (statements)
The following verbs are used for approval: to explain - to explain, to say - to speak, to notice - to notice, to add - to add, to tell - to tell, to remark - to note, to remind - to remind, to inform - to inform and so on.
Examples: He told that he didn`t know about it
Remember the use of the preposition: to say smth to smb- to say something to someone. (I said the truth to him- I told him the truth); to tell smb smth - tell someone something (Tell me please about your life- Please tell me about your life)
Introductory words are often used in the present tense when:
1) We read aloud, inform: The magazine says that you should work out 3 times a week.
2) We send a message: What does she say? - She says you have to go
3) We talk about what someone often says: They are always telling how they are happy together.
orders and requests
In this case, we use the infinitive and introductory words: to command - to command, to ask - to ask, to beg / to implore - to beg, to urge - to insist, to order - to order, to tell - to speak, and so on.
Questions
General issues
In indirect speech, direct word order is used to form general questions.
Formed with a particle if/whether translated as Russian particle "whether". They are introduced with the words to ask - to ask, to want to know - to want to know, and so on.
Special questions
Direct word order is also used to form special questions in indirect speech. Introductory interrogative words: why - why, when - when, which - which and so on.
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Indirect speech (Reported speech)- this is the transfer of someone's words without quoting them exactly, in contrast to (direct speech). Indirect speech is often called simply indirect speech (Indirect speech) and much less frequently when indirect discussion. It is worth noting that indirect speech is usually used, much less often direct speech. Compare (note that the tense of the main verb changes in indirect speech):
He said “I am going to watch TV.”- transmission of direct speech.
He said (that) he was going to watch TV. - change of direct speech into indirect.She said “I want to buy a car.”- direct speech
She said (that) she wanted to buy a car.- indirect speechAnna said, “I don't like shopping.”- direct speech
Anna said (that) she didn't like shopping.- indirect speech
Union that can be "omitted", that is, one can say:
Steve said that he was feeling ill. or so Steve said he was feeling ill.
In any case, always pay attention to the structure and sound of the sentence, for example, do not use two that in one sentence, and also if you feel that you may not be understood. Also, if you are not sure if you can insert a union that in this sentence, then it is better not to use it. However, in official speech it is more appropriate to use the union that.
But let's move on to how to correctly change the tense form of verbs in indirect speech.
Present and future tense
“I played football.” → He said he played football or He said he had played football.
“She watched football.” → He said she watched football or He said she had watched football.
“I saw her in the street.” → He said he saw her in the street or He said he saw her…
“I did not go to work.” → He said he did not go to work or He said he had not gone to work
This rule is inappropriate if direct speech has already been in the past perfect:
“I had played football.” → He said she had played football
“They had broken down a car.” → She said they had broken down a car
When can the present and future tenses be left unchanged?
Sometimes present or future tense of verbs in indirect speech can not be changed. If situation at the time of speaking hasn't changed, then you can leave the tense of the verbs as it was. Note that say and tell in this case, you can put in the present or past tense.
“My new job is boring.” → Michael said (says) that his new job is boring.
(The situation has not changed, Mikhail still has a boring job)“I speak English fluently.” → Sonia says (said) that she speaks English fluently.
(Sonya still speaks English fluently)“I want to go to Canada again.” → David tells (told) me he wants to go to Canada again.
(David still wants to go to Canada again)“I will go home tomorrow.” → She said (says) she will go home tomorrow.
(She is still going to go home tomorrow)
And, of course, it will not be a mistake if you say, for example, Sonia said she spoke English fluently. But if situation at the time of transmission of indirect speech has changed, then you need to put the verb as usual in the past tense form. For example, you met Tatyana. She said "Anna is in hospital.” Later that day, you meet Anna on the street and say: Hi, Anna. I didn't expect to see you here. Tatiana said you were in hospital (it would be wrong to say: "Tatyana said you are in hospital", since this is not true, at the moment Anna not in the hospital)
Changing the interrogative sentence
V Indirect Questions the same rules for changing time apply as in affirmative and negative. But they are divided into two types: general issues- Yes/No Questions that can be answered yes or no and special– Information (or Wh-) Questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. For instance:
Do you like music? (this question can be answered yes or no).
How are you? (here it will no longer be possible to answer simply yes or no, it is appropriate - I am fine).
GENERAL ISSUES
As a rule, difficulties with understanding arise precisely with general questions. They are often referred to as " Questions Yes/No”, because direct questions that can be translated into indirect ones can be answered with one word - yes or no. Indirect questions are formed using the words “ if" or " whether”, which are put at the very beginning of the question translated into indirect speech. The rules for matching tenses in sentences are the same as in simple indirect sentences, but they do not begin with (will, have, do ...), instead the words “ if" and " whether”, which are translated into Russian as “ whether”: in this case, there is no difference between them. Use union " that” in indirect questions is grammatically incorrect. Study examples.
| Direct Question | Indirect Question |
|
“ Do you like music?” |
He asked me if I liked music. (Wrong: he asked me did I like music) He asked me whether I liked music. |
|
“Will he participate in the quiz competition?” |
She asked me if he would She asked me whether he would participate in quiz competition. |
|
“Are are you feeling well?” |
I asked him if he was feeling well. I asked him whether he was feeling well. |
|
“Did you go to school?” |
They asked me if I had gone to school. They asked me whether I had gone to school. |
|
“have you taken the breakfast?” |
He asked me if I had taken the breakfast. He asked me whether I had taken the breakfast. |
|
“Were are they going to the car?” |
She asked her husband if they had been going to the car. She asked her husband whether they had been going to the car. |
|
“have they were going to the car” |
She asked her husband if they had been going to the car. She asked her husband whether they had been going to the car. |
SPECIAL QUESTIONS
These questions are formed without “ if" and " whether". Interrogative questions are put in their place: where, why, which, who ... The rest of the formation rules are the same as in ordinary indirect sentences.
| Direct Question | Indirect Question |
| “How are you?” | He asked me how I was. (incorrect: how was I) |
| “What is your name?” | Alice asked him what his name was. |
| Why did did you come late?” | She asked him why he had come late. |
| “Where have have you been?” | She asked her husband where he had been. |
| “When will did they come?” | He asked when they would come. |
| “What were are you doing?” | He asked Anna what she had been doing. |
| Why are are you crying?” | They asked his wife why she was crying. |
Check yourself, take the test.
Indirect Speech Comprehension Test
You can end there. What is indirect speech and how it is built, you, having carefully studied the article above, now know. If you want to fully master indirect speech, then further, additional part articles for you.
Modal verbs
When changing direct speech into indirect speech, it is also necessary to pay attention to whether the sentence contains modal verbs. Like main verbs, they must change in indirect speech, but not all modal verbs can be changed. Study the tables below.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
| CAN → COULD | |
|
“I can drive a car.” She said, “He can play a violin.” “We can climb on a hill.” |
He said he could drive a car. She said that he could play a violin. They said they could climb on a hill. |
| MAY → MIGHT | |
|
“I may buy a computer.” She said, “He may visit a doctor.” “They may go to the zoo.” |
He said that he might buy a computer. She said he might visit a doctor. They said they might go to zoo. |
| MUST → HADTO | |
|
“I must work hard.” She said, “They must carry on their work.” I said to her, “You must learn English.” |
He said he had to work hard. She said that they had to carry on their work. I said to her that she had to learn English. |
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
| WOULD → WOULD | |
|
“I would start a business.” “We would apply for a visa.” “I would appear in the exam.” |
He said that he would start a business. They said they would apply for visa. She said she would appear in the exam. |
| COULD → COULD | |
|
“I could run faster.” “We could not learn the lesson.” “She could play a piano." |
He said that he could run faster. They said they could not learn the lesson. She said she could play a piano. |
| MIGHT → MIGHT | |
|
“Guests might come.” “I might meet him.” “It might rain.” |
He said that guest might come. Anna said she might meet him. She said it might rain. |
| SHOULD → SHOULD | |
|
“I should avail the opportunity.” “We should take the exam.” “I should help him." |
He said that he should avail the opportunity. They said they should take the exam. She said that she should help him. |
| OUGHT TO → OUGHT TO | |
|
He said to me, “You ought to wait for him.” “We ought to attend our classes.” “I ought to learn method of study.” |
He said to me that I ought to wait for him. They said that they ought to attend their classes. She said that she ought to learn method of study. |
Time and adverbs
Time and adverbs in indirect speech also change. Examples:
“I will buy a book tomorrow” → She said that she would buy a book the next day.
“I am happy now” → He said that he was happy then.
“I like this book” → He said that he liked that book.
Imperative and exclamatory sentences
In indirect imperative and exclamatory sentences, most often there is no agreement of tenses. Depending on the context, the verbs said, told, advised, etc. can be replaced.
Imperative sentences
Offers imperative mood- these are proposals of an order, requirements, proposals, advice, etc. For example: “open the doors”, “help me”, “learn lessons”. Words such as requested, ordered, advised, suggested, forbade, and not to do something are often used.
“Please help me” → He asked me to help him.
“You should work hard for exam” → He suggested him to work hard for exam.
“Don't tell a lie” → They said to him not to tell a lie.
“Open the door” → He ordered to open the door.
“Don't waste your time” → The teacher advised the students not to waste their time.
“Do not smoke” → Doctor advised me not to smoke.
exclamatory sentences
Exclamatory sentences are an expression of joy, sadness, surprise, etc. For example: “Wow! We won”, “Alas! You're late" or "Wow! You look great ". Words such as exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, exclaimed with wonder, etc. are often used.
“Alas! I failed in exam” → She exclaimed with sorrow that she failed in the exam.
“Wow! What a nice shirt it is” → Michel exclaimed with wonder that it was a nice shirt.
“Hurrah! I am selected for the job” → She exclaimed with joy that she was selected for the job.
“Wow! What a pleasant weather it is” → They exclaimed with wonder that it was a pleasant weather.
So, about everything in more detail.
Declarative sentences in indirect speech.
If you need to translate a declarative sentence into indirect speech, the first thing you should pay attention to is the speaking verb in the original sentence.
Look at what tense the verb of speaking is in - in one of the present tenses or in the past.
Valentine says:"I'm attracted to clever people." - The verb say is in Present Simple tense (simple present).
Valentine said:"I don't feel comfortable here." - The verb say is in Past Simple tense (simple past).
If the verb of speaking is in present time- You are lucky - to translate direct speech into indirect speech, you just have to change the sentence a little:
Valentine says:"I'm attracted to clever people." (Direct speech) -> Valentine says that he is attracted to clever people - Valentine says that he is attracted to smart people (Reported speech).
Let's look at another example:
Molly says: “I like sport” -> Molly says that she likes sports.
Note that in the third person singular the ending -s appears. It corresponds general rules.
In a word, if the verb of speaking is in the present tense, then the time in the subordinate clause is preserved.
However, if you are less fortunate and the verb of speaking costs in the past time, more manipulations will be required in order to correctly translate direct speech into indirect speech.
Firstly, in this case, the rule of coordinating tenses applies, and therefore the time in the subordinate clause will change - there will be a shift of times into the past.
Time shift table in Indirect Speech.
|
Present Simple -> Past Simple |
Molly said: "I like coffee” -> Molly said that she liked coffee. |
|
Present Continuous -> Past Continuous Am / is are +Ving -> was / were +Ving |
Molly said: "I am drinking coffee” -> Molly said that she was drinking coffee. |
|
Present Perfect -> Past Perfect Have / has + V3 -> had + V3 |
Molly said: "I have drunk my coffee” -> Molly said she had drunk her coffee. |
|
Past Simple -> Past Perfect V2 -> had + V3 |
Molly said: "I liked coffee” -> Molly said she had liked coffee. |
|
Future Simple -> Future Simple in the Past Will -> would |
Molly said: "I will have a coffee.” -> Molly said she would have a coffee. |
|
Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous was/were +Ving -> had +V3 |
Molly said: "I was drinking coffee.” -> Molly said she had been drinking coffee. |
Modal verbs also require change in time.
I hope you noticed that the union that (that), which introduces indirect speech, can be omitted without losing the meaning:
Molly said that she was drinking coffee = Molly said she was drinking coffee.
Sometimes the replacement of time is not enough to correctly translate direct speech into indirect speech. We also need to replace some adverbs and demonstrative pronouns.
Adverb and pronoun substitution table in Indirect Speech
Thus, in order to correctly translate the sentence into indirect speech
Molly said "I don't like these guys".
We need:
- Pay attention to the fact that the verb of speaking is in the past tense, and therefore in the sentence “I don’t like these guys” there will be a shift of tenses into the past (from Present Simple to Past Simple).
- Pay attention to the demonstrative pronoun these and change it to those.
Molly said "I don't like these guys" -> Molly said she didn't like those guys.
And the last point that you need to pay attention to when translating direct speech into indirect speech is the correct use of the speaking verb.
Statements in Indirect speech are usually introduced by the verbs of speaking sау and tell (although other verbs can be used, of which there are at least a hundred -). And if everything is simple with the verb say - it can be used both in direct and indirect speech with and without an addition, then the verb to tell can only be used with an addition.
Compare:
The professor said to his student that his mark was bad.
The professor said that mark was bad.
The professor told his student that his mark was bad.
The professor told that mark was bad. (It is forbidden)
And of course note: say to smb / tell smb.
Interrogative sentences in indirect speech.
When transferring interrogative sentences in indirect speech, the same rules for coordinating tenses and changing some adverbs and pronouns that we discussed above apply. One more rule is added to these rules.
When translating a question into indirect speech, we must change the reverse word order to direct.
Reverse word order:
auxiliary verb + subject + predicate
Did you play hockey?
Direct word order.
Subject + (auxiliary verb) + predicate
Molly is playing tennis.
Each of the types of questions is translated into indirect speech in its own way.
General questions in indirect speech.
Let's look at the translation of general questions into indirect speech using the following sentences as an example:
Peter asks “Do you like tennis, Molly?” (The verb of speaking in the present tense -> the time in the subordinate clause does not change)
Peter asked Molly “Will you come with me tomorrow?” (The verb of speaking in the past tense -> the time in the subordinate clause changes)
We translate (a question with a yes or no answer) into Indirect Speech according to the following scheme:
- Rewriting the main sentence
- Insert unions if or whether (whether)
- We write down subordinate clause according to the scheme
Subject + predicate + secondary members of the sentence.
- Do not forget to change the aspectual form and other words, if necessary.
Thus, the general question is translated into a Reported speech according to the following scheme:
Note that in the second sentence, we changed will to would and tomorrow to the following day.
If your general question began with do \ does \ did, then these auxiliary verbs will not be in indirect speech.
Sandy asks Jim “Do you like coffee?” -> Sandy asks Jim if he likes coffee.
Sandy asked Jim “Do you like coffee?” -> Sandy asked Jim if he liked coffee.
Answers in indirect speech.
Short answers in indirect speech are transmitted by repeating the verb contained in the direct answer. This verb will change according to the tense matching rule. The verb can also be introduced with that.
Have you ever been to the Sudan?
-Yes, I have.
He asked me if I had been to the Sudan and I answered that I had.
Alternative questions in indirect speech.
An alternative question (a question with or) is translated into indirect speech in the same way as a general question.
Let's translate the following alternative questions into indirect speech:
Molly asks Tim “Have you or your sister bought this picture?” -> Molly asks Tim if / whether he or his sister has bought this picture.
Molly asked Tom “Will you come today or tomorrow?” -> Molly asked Tom if / whether he would come that day or the following day.
Special questions in indirect speech.
Special questions are introduced with their own interrogative words, which become allied words. Otherwise, everything is similar to the rules for a general question.
Let's look at examples:
The teacher asks Jillian “Who is on duty today?” -> The teacher asks Jillian who is on duty today.
Mum asked her son “Where have you been?” -> Mum asked her son where he had been.
The shop-assistant asks me “What color do you like?” -> The shop-assistant asks me what color I like.
It is easiest to convert questions to the subject with who? into Reported Speech. and what? Here, the structure of the sentence is completely preserved, and you just have to change the rules for coordinating tenses, if necessary.
Meg asks: “Who is missing?” -> Meg asks who is absent.
Meg asked: “What has happened?” -> Meg asked what happened.
The imperative mood in indirect speech.
To convey the imperative mood in indirect speech, the verbs of speaking are most often used:
Ask, tell, order, command, request, advise, recommend, warn, etc.
Request / order is transmitted using to-infinitive.
David commanded: “Go away!” -> David commanded to go away.
Restrictions are transmitted using not to-infinitive:
David commanded: "Don't shout!" -> David commanded not to shout.
“Sally, buy some bread!” -> Sally was told to buy some bread.
Direct speech let's is conveyed using the verbs of pronunciation offer and suggest.
|
Suggest + Ving \ that smb should |
“Let me help you” – he said.
He offered to help me.
He suggested helping me.
In this article, we will find out what is direct and indirect speech English language , consider examples, and a comparative table will help you better remember how direct and indirect speech differ.
Direct speech in English (Direct Speech) - someone's statement, verbatim introduced into the author's speech. Unlike indirect speech ( Reported speech), it retains the individual and stylistic features of the speech of the one whose statement is reproduced: dialect features, repetitions, pauses, introductory words, etc. Direct speech in English is introduced without conjunctions, personal pronouns, verb forms indicate the attitude to the speaker's face, for example: "You said:" I'll call you back later "". In indirect speech: "You said you'd call back later." Usually direct speech is isolated in the text with quotation marks or separated by a separate paragraph, at the beginning of which a dash is placed. Quotations also refer to direct speech in English.
To translate direct speech into indirect speech, the following words are used in English: say, tell, ask.
Say - used in both direct and indirect speech in English, if after this word there is no person to whom the statement is directed:
Direct speech: " I can't arrive to Kiev", she said- "I can't come to Kiev", she said
Indirect speech: She said she couldn't arrive to Kiev– she said that she would not be able to come to Kiev
Tell - used in indirect speech in English, when it is followed by the person we are addressing:
Direct speech: " I like reading books in English”, he said to me - “I like to read books in English”, he said to me
Indirect speech: He told me he liked reading books in English– he told me that he likes to read books in English
Ask - used both in indirect and direct speech in English (in interrogative sentences):
He asked: “Are you OK?” He asked: “Are you all right?”
He asked me if I was OK - he asked if I was all right
You should pay attention to the following rules:
Say + to infinitive
He said to work harder - he said to work more vigorously
tell sb
He told us about his sister who lived in Kiev– he told us about his sister who lives in Kiev
Speak/talk about
He talked about his trip to Cherkassy– he talked about his trip to Cherkasy
In some cases, it is not necessary to change tenses in indirect speech in English:
When it comes to common knowledge:
“Water boils at 100 degrees”, he said– he said: “Water boils at 100 degrees”
He said that water boils at 100 degree– he said that water boils at 100 degrees
When direct speech is transmitted immediately after it has been delivered:
“I'll call you back" – he said He said that he will call me back- he said he would call back
Indirect question in English (Reported questions)
An indirect question is a question conveyed in indirect (indirect) speech in English. All the changes that a sentence undergoes in indirect speech in English also occur in an indirect question.
In an indirect question, unlike a direct question, there is no inversion, that is, the word order is the same as in a regular declarative sentence (the predicate follows the subject). Where are you going? (direct speech) - Where are you going?
She asked me where I was going(indirect speech) - she asked me where I was going.
A general question (Yes-No question) in indirect speech in English is introduced by the unions if and whether. The combination or not can be added: to the union whether directly after it or at the end of the sentence; to the union if only at the end of the sentence:
Has my secretary returned from Cherkassy?(direct speech) - “My secretary returned from Cherkasy?”
He rang the bell, and asked whether his secretary had returned from Cherkassy(indirect speech) - he rang the bell and asked if his secretary had returned from Cherkasy
A special question (Wh - question) is introduced with the same interrogative word as the corresponding direct question.
How many kilometers to Kiev (direct speech) - “How many kilometers to Kiev?”
I wondered how many kilometers were to Kiev(indirect speech) - I thought how many more kilometers to Kiev
Reported Commands/Requests/Suggestions
To translate commands / requests / suggestions into indirect speech, the following words are used in English: advise, ask, beg, offer, order, suggest, tell, used after: to+infinitive, -ing form, that clause:
“Stop talking” - stop talking
He told us to stop talking (team) - He told us to stop talking
“Can you cal you back later”- "Can you call me back"
he said he asked to call him back later(request) - He asked him to call back
“Let's move to Kiev, he said- "Let's move to Kiev"
He suggested moving to Kiev (offer) - He suggested moving to Kiev
