Dorect and indirect (reported) speech

Direct speech is a form of utterance in which the exact words of the speaker are given.

In indirect speech these words are reported. That’s why it is sometimes called reported speech.

Indirect statements

They are introduced by the verbs to say, to tell, to announce, and in official style by the verb to inform. With the verbs to tell and to inform the person addressed is always mentioned. With the verbs to say and to announce the person may or may not be mentioned, In this case the preposition to is used.

The verb to say is used to introduce both direct and indirect speech if the person addressed is not mentioned. If the person is mentioned, the verb to tell is preferable. If the verb to say is used, the preposition to is necessary.

Other verbs are also used to introduce statements. According to the character of the statement, the verbs to promise, to remark, to remind, to assure, to admit, to deny, etc. are used.

e.g. He said, “The text is rather difficult”. He remarked that the text was rather difficult.

Indirect questions

Indirect questions are introduced by the verb to ask. In official style the verb to inquire is used.

Indirect orders and requests.

An order or a request is expressed by an infinitive.

e.g. She said to him, “Open the window”. She told him to open the window.

The choice of the verb is determined by the character of the order. The verbs to tell, to order, to command are used.

The verb to request is used in official style.

Unemotional requests are introduced by the verb to ask.

e.g. She said to me, “Will you show me the way to the theatre?”. She asked me to show her the way to the theatre.

The verb to beg introduces a more emotional request.

e.g. The child said to his mother, ”Do take me to the circus!”. The child begged his mother to take him to the circus.

Very often it is used in the same meaning as to ask. Emotional requests are introduced by the verbs to implore, to entreat, to beseech.

He verb to urge introduces a request made with great insistence.

e.g. The mother said to her son, “Do take care of yourself”. The mother urged her son to take care of himself.

Offers, suggestions and advice

When we change offers and suggestions into indirect speech, we use the verbs to offer and to suggest.

The verb suggest can not be used with an infinitive. The following patterns are possible:

Let’s go to the cinema = She suggested going to the cinema.

She suggested that we should go to the cinema.

She suggested going to the cinema.

Indirect exclamations.

When exclamations are changed into indirect speech, the adverbial modifier shows the character of the exclamation, whether it expresses joy, sorrow, surprise.

e.g. She said, “I am sorry! Jane is leaving us!” She said sadly that Jane was leaving them.

She said to him, “You are telling a lie!” She cried with indignation that he was telling a lies.

! When reporting somebody’s words, the rules of the sequence of tense must be observed. However, there are cases, when they may not be observed.

• refers to what is considered to be an existing fact or a regular occurrence

• in political language

• when it expresses general truth

• if the statement is still up to date when you report it

Grammar in Focus

1. Jim Barnes and Bill Nokes have been interviewed by the police in connection with a robbery last week. Study the verb tenses in that-clauses in the extracts from the reports. Correct them if necessary. Suggest as many alternatives as possible.

1. When I mentioned to Nokes, that he had been seen in a local shop last Monday, he protested that he is at home all day. He swears that he didn’t own a blue Ford Escort. He claimed, that he had been to the paint factory two weeks ago to look for work. Nokes alleges, that he is a good friend of Jim Barnes. He insisted that he didn’t telephone Barnes last Monday morning. When I pointed out to Nokes, that a large amount of paint had been found in his house, he replied that he was storing it for a friend.

2. At the beginning of the interview I reminded Barnes, that he is entitled to have a solicitor present. He denies that he knew anyone by the name of Bill Nokes. Barnes confirmed, that he had been in the vicinity of the paint factory last Monday, but said that he is visiting his mother. He admitted, that he is walking along New street at around 10.00. He maintains that he was innocent.