Reported Speech

CHAPTER - 15

REPORTED SPEECH

 

We report what has happened in two ways:

1. Direct speech - A talks to B

2. Indirect speech - C reports to D, B reports to C

Direct speech uses the actual words the speaker used.

Indirect speech does not use the actual words of the speaker but reports the same information.

There are many rules to change direct speech into indirect speech and vice versa.

DIRECT TO INDIRECT

DECLARATIVE OR ASSERTIVE STATEMENTS

I said, “I am alright". (Direct)

She said that she was alright. (indirect)

Conjunction 'that' is used in this type of sentences.

WH QUESTIONS

He said to me, "Whose wedding did you attend"?

He asked me whose marriage I attended.

No conjunction should be used for wh question.

VERB QUESTION

He asked the talkative man, "Will you please listen"?

He asked the talkative man if he would listen.

Conjunction 'if' is used to connect the sentences.

COMMANDS AND REQUESTS

The teacher told the student, "Keep your mouth shut and listen".

The teacher commanded the students to keep her/his mouth shut and listen.

His friend asked him, "Please wait and I will get back to you".

His friend requested him to wait and he would get back to him.

The conjunction 'to' is used in case of commands and requests.

EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES

The guest said, "How grand the reception is” !

The guest exclaimed that the reception was very grand.