Direct/Indirect Speech

Direct speech quotes the speaker's exact words and is usually enclosed in quotation marks; it preserves the original tense, pronouns, and time expressions as said.

Indirect speech conveys the speaker's message without quoting verbatim; it integrates the idea into the narrating sentence and typically makes adjustments to tense, pronouns, and adverbs to maintain sense.

When shifting from direct to indirect speech, verbs often move back one tense to reflect the change in perspective time; this backshift depends on whether the reporting verb is in the past and whether the reported information is still true.

Pronouns in indirect speech change to align with the new speaker and listener roles; first-person, second-person, and sometimes third-person pronouns shift to maintain logical reference in the report.

Time and place expressions often change when moving from direct to indirect speech to fit the new context; words like now, today, yesterday, and here are replaced by their relative counterparts such as then, that day, the day before, and there.

Common reporting verbs include say, tell, ask, reply, and explain; choosing the appropriate verb can clarify whether the original utterance was a statement, question, command, or intention, and whether to include a listener.

Indirect questions embed the query within the reporting sentence and use word order appropriate to statements rather than direct question form; question words are retained and yes/no questions rely on if or whether.

Indirect commands and requests use reporting verbs like tell, ask, order, or advise followed by an infinitive structure or a to-clause; the original imperative form shifts into a reported instruction or appeal.

Direct speech quotes the exact words, while indirect speech reports meaning with adjustments to tense, pronouns, and time; backshifts apply when the reporting verb is past, and time/place expressions change to fit the new context; use appropriate reporting verbs to signal the type of utterance.