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Questions and Answers
What is the main difference between direct speech and indirect speech?
Which tense shift is NOT correct when converting from direct speech to indirect speech?
In indirect speech, which of the following statements is true regarding punctuation?
Which reporting verb requires an object to complete the action?
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When adjusting pronouns in reported speech, which change is accurate?
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What tense does present perfect change to in reported speech?
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How do time indicators change in reported speech?
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Which of the following is an example of using 'to' with a command in reported speech?
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Which reporting verb is commonly used for conveying indirect questions?
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In reported speech, 'They said, 'We are happy,' would become:
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Which is NOT a correct change when converting present continuous to reported speech?
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When converting 'She said, 'I will visit tomorrow'' into reported speech, what is the correct transformation?
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Which of the following statements applies when a statement remains true in reported speech?
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What is the basic structure of reported speech?
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Study Notes
Reported Speech
Direct Vs Indirect Speech
-
Direct Speech: Quoting the exact words spoken by a person.
- Example: She said, "I am happy."
-
Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): Paraphrasing the spoken words without quoting them directly.
- Example: She said that she was happy.
Changing Tenses
- When converting from direct to indirect speech, the tense shifts often occur:
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Past Simple → Past Perfect
- Future Simple → Conditional (would)
- Note: If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense may not shift.
Punctuation Rules
-
Direct Speech: Uses quotation marks.
- Example: "I will call you."
-
Indirect Speech: No quotation marks; often contains "that" although it can be omitted.
- Example: He said (that) he would call.
Reporting Verbs
- Common reporting verbs include:
- Say, tell, ask, explain, suggest, advise, warn, promise, etc.
- Usage:
- "Say" does not require an object (e.g., He said.).
- "Tell" requires an object (e.g., He told me.).
Pronoun Adjustments
- Pronouns often change to reflect the perspective of the speaker:
- "I" changes to "he/she"
- "you" changes to "I" or "he/she" depending on context
- "we" changes to "they"
- "my" changes to "his/her"
- "your" changes to "my/his/her"
- "our" changes to "their"
Summary
- Reported speech transforms direct quotations into paraphrased statements, requiring adjustments in tense, punctuation, and pronouns while selecting appropriate reporting verbs. Understanding these elements is crucial for accurate communication.
Direct Vs Indirect Speech
- Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken.
- Indirect speech paraphrases the words without quoting them directly.
Changing Tenses
- The tense often shifts when converting from direct to indirect speech.
- Present Simple becomes Past Simple
- Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous
- Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect
- Past Simple becomes Past Perfect
- Future Simple becomes Conditional
- If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense may not shift.
Punctuation Rules
- Direct speech uses quotation marks.
- Indirect speech does not use quotation marks.
- Indirect speech often uses 'that', but this can be omitted.
Reporting Verbs
- Common reporting verbs include: say, tell, ask, explain, suggest, advise, warn, promise.
- 'Say' does not require an object.
- 'Tell' requires an object.
Pronoun Adjustments
- Pronouns often change in indirect speech to reflect the speaker's perspective.
- 'I' changes to 'he/she'
- 'You' changes to 'I' or 'he/she'
- 'We' changes to 'they'
- 'My' changes to 'his/her'
- 'Your' changes to 'my/his/her'
- 'Our' changes to 'their'
Reported Speech
- Conveys what someone else said without quoting their exact words.
- AKA: Indirect Speech
Key Changes in Reported Speech
- Pronouns shift depending on the speaker's point of view
- Tense changes:
- Present simple → past simple
- Present continuous → past continuous
- Present perfect → past perfect
- Past simple → past perfect
- Future → conditional
- Time and place words change:
- Now → then
- Today → that day
- Tomorrow → the next day
- Yesterday → the day before
- Here → there
Structure
- Basic structure: He/She/They said (that)… or He/She/They told me (that)…
- "That" is optional and often omitted in informal speech
Examples
- Direct Speech: She said, "I am going to the store."
- Reported Speech: She said (that) she was going to the store.
- Direct Speech: John said, "I will finish the report tomorrow."
- Reported Speech: John said (that) he would finish the report the next day.
Questions and Commands
- Yes/No questions: Use if/whether
- Example: "Are you coming?" → He asked if I was coming.
- Wh- questions: Retain the wh- word
- Example: "Where are you?" → She asked where I was.
- Commands: Use ‘to’ + base form of the verb
- Example: "Close the door." → He told me to close the door.
Reporting Verbs
- Use varying reporting verbs to convey different meanings
- Say, tell, ask, suggest, inform, warn, advise, etc.
Exceptions
- If a statement is still true and relevant, the tense may remain the same
- Example: "The Earth revolves around the Sun." → He said that the Earth revolves around the Sun (no change in tense).
Tips
- Practice converting sentences from direct to reported speech to strengthen understanding
- Pay attention to context to appropriately adjust pronouns and time indicators.
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Description
Test your understanding of direct and indirect speech with this quiz. You'll explore the rules for changing tenses, punctuation, and common reporting verbs. Perfect for students looking to master this essential aspect of English grammar.
