Indirect speech is made by changing personal pronouns, tenses, and adverbials of time as per the reporting verbs. Besides, “that” nominal is placed between reporting and reported speech. These changes are systematically explained in this blog, “Direct indirect speech explained”.
Understanding Concept clarity of direct and indirect speech
Generally, we write the speakers words in the two methods:-
- Within quotation marks
- Without quotation marks
1. Reported or direct speech
Speaker’s actual words or narration are written within quotation marks. Within quotation marks means reporting as it is without any changes.
UN general secretary said, “Our mission is not yet accomplished”. In this example, the speech within the quotation marks is called “Direct or reported speech”.
Direct in the sense that reporter used words as it is to convey the massage of speaker.
The first letter of the direct speech should be in the upper case. Direct speech is also known as narration.
2. Reporting Or indirect speech
It is used to express or describe the reported or direct speech of person. Reporting speech is written without quotation marks. It is separated by comma from reported speech.
3. Main clause and subordinating clause
Every direct speech is made up of two clauses.
Reporting part belongs to main clause. Whereas, speakers part is called subordinating or dependent clause.
Both are joined in the Indirect speech with “That” or also called “that- nominal clause.”
Basic facts of direct and indirect speech
Change from direct speech to indirect speech means change in the form without changing the meaning of speaker.
President Trump said, “I will impose more tariffs.” This is the example of direct speech. Let’s transform it into Indirect speech. In this speech, there are two parts.
One is reporting and other is speaker’s words. Here, in order to change into Indirect speech we must understand certain rules.
1. Rules to make Indirect speech
First of all understand the two parts clearly. Identify tense of both parts. ”That” is placed before the speakers words. In the above example, ‘President Trump said’ is the reporting part and it is in the past tense.
“I will impose more tariffs.” is the second part in the future tense.
2. Rules regarding pronouns
In this example, there are two types of subject are used.
The subject of reporting verb is “third person singular” whereas, subject direct speech is “first person singular”
Rule states that when there is first person singular or plural comes in the direct speech, then the subject of the direct speech changes as per the subject of the reporting verb or part.
In the above mentioned example, subject of the direct speech is first person singular, therefore, it changes according to the subject of “President Trump.”
- President Trump said that he would impose more tariffs.
In case of second person in the direct speech, it changes according to the object of the reporting verb.
You said to me,” You are late.”You said to me that I was late.But, third person subject remains unchanged in the indirect speech.
You said to me, “He is absent.”You said me that he was absent.
3. Rules to change tense
Tense of the direct speech changes according to the tense of reporting speech. When the tense of direct speech is simple present and the reporting verb is in the past tense, then the tense of direct speech become simple past. In the same way, continuous becomes past continuous and perfect present in the perfect past.
1.World Bank said, “Indian growth rate is declining.”
2.World Bank said that Indian growth rate was declining.
3.Bank said, “Indian economy grows better.”
4.Bank said that Indian economy grew better.
Now, let’s see how to change tense and personal pronouns while making direct and indirect speech. First of all, I’m going to change tense in direct and indirect speech.
Changing Tense In Direct and Indirect Speech
While making indirect speech, tense of the reported or direct speech is changed according to the tense of the reporting verb. Here, in this blog, “changing tense in indirect speech” I’m going to describe how to change the tense of direct speech in making indirect speech.
Changing present tense in indirect speech
First of all, we must not forget a thing that change in the direct speech should be in consistent with reporting verb.
In Short, tense of direct speech or reported speech changes according to the tense of reporting verb while making indirect speech.
When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, then there is no need to change the tense of direct speech.
Example of present tense in direct and indirect speech
He says, “I am fine.” (direct reported speech in present tense)
He says that he is fine. (no change in the present tense in indirect speech)
She says, “Himalaya is lofty mountain.”
She says that Himalaya is lofty mountain.
Change of past tense in indirect speech
But, when the reporting verb is in the past tense, then the tense of direct speech changes accordingly.
1. Simple present to simple past.
When the direct speech is in the simple present, then the tense is changed to simple past in the indirect speech.
- Student said, “Teacher teaches writing skills. “(direct speech)
- Student said that teacher teaches writing skills. (indirect speech)
2. Present continuous to past continuous
- He said, “They are working continuously.” (direct speech)
- He said that they were working continuously. (indirect speech)
3. Perfect present to past perfect
- Emma said, “I have completed my assignment.”
- Emma said that she had completed her assignment.
4. Present continuous perfect to past continuous perfect
- She said, “I have been exercising since last week.“
- She said that she had been exercising since the week before.
Changing Past tense to past tense in indirect speech
When the tense of direct speech is in the past tense, then we will notice following changes in the indirect speech
When the tense of direct speech is in the past tense, then we will notice following changes in the indirect speech.
1. Past simple to past perfect.
- Matt said, “I did better job.”
- Matt said that he had done better job.
2. Past continuous to past perfect continuous
- Henry said, “I was digging a hole.”
- Henry said that he had been digging a hole.
Rules for change in time and place adverbs
Changes in the adverbs of time and place in the direct speech takes place in the following way-
- This = that,
- These = those,
- Now= then,
- Ago = before,
- Today =that day, the same day,
- Yesterday = the previous day, the day before,
- Tonight =that night,
- Tomorrow =the next day, the following day,
- Last night =the previous night, the night before,
For the upcoming time, “following” is used, whereas for the past time “previous” is used.
Changing personal pronouns in indirect speech
While making indirect speech, change of pronouns and tenses become essential. Personal pronouns of direct speech get changed in the indirect speech as per the rules of indirect speech. Herein, you will read simple rules of changing personal pronouns in indirect speech
Changing in personal pronouns while making indirect speech
Take a look at some important rules of making indirect speech by changing pronouns used in direct speech.
When the subject of direct speech in the quotation marks is first person – I, we, my, our etc.Then, it is changed according to the subject of the reporting verb.
1. Example showing change in first person
- Xi Jinping said, “I will consider to impose more tariffs.
In this sentence, in the direct speech, there is first person singular subject. And, subject of reporting verb is third person singular.
In this context, according to the rules, subject of the direct speech changes according to the subject of the reporting verb.
- Xi Jinping said that he would consider to impose more tarrifs.
2. Let’s see some useful examples of changing pronouns in indirect speech
- The man said, “I am the witness of that earthquake.
- The man said that he was the witness of that earthquake.
- John said, “I am so busy to talk to you”.
- John said that he was so busy to talk to him.
3. Rules for second person in indirect speech
Second person in the indirect speech changes according to the object of the reporting verb.
- Ronny said to me, “You are so hard working”.
In this sentence, the subject of the direct speech is in second person form.Therefore, it gets changed according to the object of the reporting verb.
Here, object of the reporting verb is “me” Hence, the subject of the direct speech would be ‘I’
4. Example showing change in second person
- Ronny said to me that I was so hard working.
- My father said,” you are so careless.”
- My father said to me that I was so careless.
5. Changing third person in indirect speech
There is no need to change third person pronouns in the indirect speech as it is used as default pronouns. If there is name of person used in the direct speech, there is no need to change it in the indirect speech.
6. Examples showing third person pronouns
- John said, “He was so busy.”
- John said that he was so busy.
- He said, “I am making a chair.”
- He said that he was making a chair.
- Samuel said, “I want a bike.”
- Samuel said that he wanted a bike.
This is all about the changing tense, and personal pronouns in direct and indirect speech. Herein, first and second person pronoun in the reporting speech get changed in the indirect speech. But, third person personal pronoun doesn’t get changed.
Indirect speech of imperative sentences
Indirect Speech Of Assertive Sentences
Persent perfect and continuous perfect
Simple present and continuous present
Simple continuous and perfect past