Here are some things to know about direct and indirect speech in the English language.
DIRECT and INDIRECT SPEECH – These are the two forms used when reporting what someone has said, and here are some of their rules.
In writing, references are essential when citing spoken words or examples. Some of the examples are the dialogues in novels, quotes in articles, and paraphrased discussions in blogs. A speech can be determined in two types: direct and indirect or reported speech. Both of these types are crucial for effective communication.
It is best to know the proper way to use them to create effective writing and speech, and improve these skills.
Direct speech is the exact quote in a sentence. Meaning, these are the exact words of a person. This is used in interviews, plays, narratives, and conversations. These sentences are always enclosed in quotation marks and paired with the words said or asked, also called the reporting verbs.
Examples:
- Maria said, “I love reading books.”
- He asked, “Do you want to come?”
- “I think,” they said, “that we should go now.”
- I said, “I am learning how to play the guitar.”
- The doctor advised, “Take this medicine twice a day.”
Indirect or reported speech is stating what a person said without quoting them verbatim. This could be done through either rephrasing, paraphrasing, or grammatical changes. The verb tenses and pronouns are changed to fit the narrator’s perspective. Simply speaking, the message is conveyed in own words, often without quotation marks.
Examples:
- Maria said that she loved reading books.
- He asked me if I wanted to come.
- They said that they thought they should go then.
- I said that I was learning how to play the guitar.
- The doctor advised me to take the medicine twice a day.
The other reporting verbs are:
- Insisted
- Suggested
- Shouted
- Recommended
- Implied