Ravi said ‘The concert ended yesterday’. (Convert the sentence into indirect speech)
Ravi said that the concert had ended the previous day.
The policeman said ‘Don’t cross the speed limit’. (Convert the sentence into indirect speech)
Direct and indirect speech, also known as reported speech, are two ways of expressing what someone said. In just 200 words, let's explore the differences and usage of direct and indirect speech.
Direct speech is the exact words spoken by someone, presented within quotation marks. It captures the original words, tone, and punctuation of the speaker. For example, "She said, 'I am going to the store.'"
Indirect speech, on the other hand, reports what someone said without using their exact words. It is typically introduced by a reporting verb (such as "said," "told," or "asked") and is usually in a different tense from the original speech. The pronouns, tenses, and word order may also change. For instance, the previous direct speech example in indirect speech would be "She said that she was going to the store."
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Indirect speech is commonly used when reporting past events or when the original speaker's words need to be summarized or paraphrased. It allows for a more concise and cohesive representation of someone's statement in the context of another sentence or paragraph.
When using indirect speech, it is important to pay attention to tense changes, pronoun adjustments, and other modifications to ensure grammatical accuracy and coherence. Additionally, reporting verbs such as "said," "told," or "asked" can be used to introduce indirect speech and attribute the statement to the original speaker.
Understanding direct and indirect speech is essential for effective communication, accurate reporting, and maintaining the appropriate style and tone in writing or conversation.