Indirect speech

Definition

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is a way of conveying what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. Instead of using direct quotations, it involves paraphrasing or summarizing the original statement while changing the pronouns and adjusting the tense according to a sequence of tenses, which reflects the relationship between the reporting verb and the reported statement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In indirect speech, the pronouns often change to match the perspective of the speaker rather than the original speaker.
2. When converting from direct to indirect speech, certain time expressions like 'today' may change to 'that day', 'tomorrow' to 'the next day', and so forth.
3. The tense usually shifts back one step in time; for example, present simple becomes past simple, and present perfect becomes past perfect.
4. Indirect speech does not require quotation marks, as it paraphrases the original speaker's words instead of reproducing them exactly.
5. Questions and commands in direct speech also have specific structures when converted to indirect speech, often requiring adjustments in word order and phrasing.

Review Questions

• How does changing from direct speech to indirect speech affect the use of pronouns and time expressions?
  • When converting from direct speech to indirect speech, both pronouns and time expressions need to be adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporting speaker. For example, if a person says 'I am happy,' this would become 'He said that he was happy' in indirect speech. Time expressions like 'today' can change to 'that day,' demonstrating how context influences both pronouns and temporal references.
• Analyze how tense shifts function in indirect speech when reporting a statement made in the present tense.
  • In indirect speech, when reporting a statement made in the present tense, tense shifts typically involve moving back one step in time. For instance, if someone says 'I like ice cream,' it becomes 'She said that she liked ice cream.' This shift is essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy and ensuring that the reported statement aligns with the timing of the reporting action.
• Evaluate the implications of using indirect speech in written communication compared to direct quotes, particularly regarding clarity and interpretation.
  • Using indirect speech instead of direct quotes can significantly impact clarity and interpretation in written communication. Indirect speech offers flexibility by summarizing or paraphrasing statements, which can make texts more concise and easier to read. However, it may also lead to ambiguity or misinterpretation if crucial nuances of the original statement are lost. Evaluating whether to use indirect or direct speech requires considering the importance of precision versus brevity in conveying information.

Related terms

Direct Speech:

Direct speech is when a person's exact words are quoted and enclosed in quotation marks, providing a verbatim account of what was said.

Reporting Verb: A reporting verb is a verb used to introduce reported speech, such as 'say,' 'tell,' 'ask,' or 'advise,' which helps indicate the nature of the statement being reported.

Tense Shift: Tense shift refers to the grammatical changes in tense that occur when converting direct speech into indirect speech, often moving from present to past forms.