1. Direct and Indirect Speech Direct speech is used when giving the exact words |
of what other people say, think, believe, etc. |
Examples: Ann said, "It's going to be fun!" Mom asked, "Where's the car key?" "Let's go early tomorrow," suggests Bill. |
Indirect speech or reported speech is used when |
telling about what someone said but not using that |
person's exact words. |
Examples: She asked if I'm all right. Jake said that he wanted to drive the car. Felly wondered whether she'll pass the exam. |
2. Change of situation It's also possible to report what a person said in |
one place or time to another setting. |
Examples: Sally (on Monday morning): I'm too sick to work. Cathy (on Monday afternoon): Sally said that she |
was too sick to work. |
3. Pronouns If there's a change of speaker, pronoun is also |
changed. |
Example: Olly said that he's too full to eat dessert. Ben asked if he could train with me today. |
4. Here and Now When there's a change of place and time, words like |
here, now, this, today are dropped. |
Examples: Ted said he wanted to order. (not to order now) Gem asked if she could use the bathroom. (not use |
the bathroom here) |
5. Tenses Tense is also changed when there's a change of time. |
Example: Harry said he didn't love the food. (not he doesn't love...) |
6. Taking Out That It's also possible to drop the word "that." |
Example: Sasha said (that) she'd be done soon. |