Understanding how to report speech accurately is essential for effective communication in English. Whether you’re preparing for an English proficiency test like the International English Test (IET) or seeking to refine your English skills, mastering reported speech can elevate your writing and speaking abilities. This article covers everything you need to know about direct and indirect speech, including how to report speech, tense changes, and how to handle questions and requests.
What is Reported Speech?
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used when we want to report what someone has said without quoting their exact words. On the other hand, direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken by someone.
Direct Speech:
In direct speech, the exact words spoken by someone are quoted. These words are placed inside quotation marks.
Examples of Direct Speech:
- She says, “What time will you be home?”
- John said, “There’s an elephant outside the window.”
- “There’s a fly in my soup!” screamed Simone.
Indirect Speech:
Indirect speech reports what someone has said without quoting their exact words. Tense changes are often required when converting direct speech to indirect speech. The reporting verb such as “say,” “tell,” or “ask” is used, and quotation marks are omitted.
Examples of Indirect Speech:
- She said that she was tired.
- He told me that he had seen the movie.
- She asked me what time I would be home.
Key Differences Between Direct and Indirect Speech
The main differences between direct speech and indirect speech are:
- Quotation Marks: Direct speech uses quotation marks, but indirect speech does not.
- Tense Change: In indirect speech, the tense of the verbs usually shifts back in time.
- Pronouns: In indirect speech, pronouns often change to match the new context.
Tense Changes in Reported Speech
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, you often need to change the tense of the original statement. Here’s a quick guide on how tense changes in reported speech:
Example of Tense Changes:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I am tired,” she said. | She said that she was tired. |
| “I have finished my work,” he said. | He said that he had finished his work. |
| “I will go to the store tomorrow,” she said. | She said that she would go to the store the next day. |
In general, the tense in reported speech is one step back from the tense in direct speech:
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Future Simple → Conditional
However, if the reporting verb is in the present tense or the original statement is still true, no tense change is required.
Example of No Tense Change:
- Direct Speech: “I have missed the train,” he says.
- Indirect Speech: He says that he has missed the train.
Changing Time and Place References
When converting direct speech into reported speech, you also need to adjust time and place references accordingly.
Example of Changing Time and Place References:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I will see you tomorrow,” he said. | He said that he would see me the next day. |
| “I saw her yesterday,” she said. | She said that she had seen her the day before. |
| “I am going to London today,” he said. | He said that he was going to London that day. |
In addition, personal pronouns may also change when reporting speech:
- I becomes he or she
- You becomes he, she, or they depending on the context.
Reporting Questions in Speech
Reporting questions in indirect speech follows different rules than reporting statements. Here’s how to handle questions:
Yes/No Questions:
To report yes/no questions, use ask followed by if or whether. No need for a question mark.
Example of Yes/No Questions:
- Direct Speech: “Are you coming?” she asked.
- Reported Speech: She asked if I was coming.
Wh-Questions:
For questions starting with question words (like what, where, why), the word order remains the same in reported speech. However, there is no need to invert the subject and verb.
Example of Wh-Questions:
- Direct Speech: “Where are you going?” he asked.
- Reported Speech: He asked where I was going.
Reporting Orders, Requests, and Suggestions
In reported speech, orders and requests are typically introduced with verbs like tell, ask, or order, and they are often followed by an infinitive.
Example of Reporting Orders and Requests:
- Direct Speech: “Please close the door,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He asked me to close the door.
Example of Reporting Suggestions:
- Direct Speech: “You should go to the doctor,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She suggested that I go to the doctor.
Reporting Hopes, Intentions, and Promises
When reporting hopes, intentions, or promises, verbs like promise, hope, and intend are commonly used, often with a that clause.
Example of Reporting Hopes and Intentions:
- Direct Speech: “I will call you tomorrow,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He promised to call me the next day.
Why Reported Speech is Important for the International English Test (IET)
Mastering reported speech is an essential skill for the International English Test (IET), especially in the writing and speaking sections. Here’s how understanding direct and indirect speech can help:
- Writing: In the writing tasks, you may need to report someone’s speech or explain an event, requiring a good grasp of reported speech and its nuances.
- Speaking: In the speaking section, you’ll be asked to report information or express what others have said. Using reported speech accurately can help you communicate effectively and demonstrate your proficiency.
- Listening: Understanding how others use reported speech in conversation will help you answer questions more accurately and understand nuances in dialogue.
Conclusion
Reported speech is a crucial part of English grammar, and mastering it will significantly improve your ability to communicate clearly and accurately. Whether you’re preparing for the International English Test (IET) or simply aiming to enhance your English skills, understanding the rules for direct and indirect speech, tense changes, and reporting questions is essential. With practice, you’ll be able to use reported speech confidently in both spoken and written English.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
