Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct and indirect speech, also known as reported speech, refer to the ways in which people communicate what someone else has said or written. It is used to report what someone has said or written, without using their exact words or phrasing.
Direct Speech
Direct speech is when someone quotes or reports what another person has said or written, using their exact words. Direct speech is usually indicated using quotation marks, which are placed at the beginning and end of the quoted text. Direct speech is commonly used in conversations, interviews, and quotes in news articles.
Example:
- John said, "I am going to the store."
- "I love pizza," said Mary.
Indirect Speech
Indirect speech is when someone reports what another person has said or written, but does not use their exact words. Indirect speech is also called reported speech. Indirect speech is usually introduced by a reporting verb, which can be in the present or past tense, depending on the context. The reporting verb is usually followed by the original speaker's statement, which is often changed to fit the grammar of the sentence.
Example:
- Direct speech: John said, "I am going to the store."
- Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.
- Direct speech: "I love pizza," said Mary.
- Indirect speech: Mary said that she loved pizza.
Key Differences Between Direct and Indirect Speech
The key differences between direct and indirect speech are:
- Direct speech uses the exact words of the original speaker, while indirect speech uses the reported words of the original speaker.
- Direct speech is usually indicated by quotation marks, while indirect speech does not use quotation marks.
- The tense of the verb changes in indirect speech, depending on the context and reporting verb used.
- In indirect speech, the pronouns and time expressions may also change to fit the context and grammar of the sentence.
Conclusion
Direct and indirect speech are two ways of reporting what someone has said or written. Direct speech uses the exact words of the original speaker, while indirect speech uses the reported words of the original speaker. The tense of the verb changes in indirect speech, depending on the context and reporting verb used.