Introduce an event or remark using either direct speech, which quotes the speaker verbatim, or indirect speech, which reshapes the remark within the narrator’s voice.
Direct Speech
Use direct speech to reproduce exactly what someone said, enclosing their words in quotation marks and preserving the original tense, pronouns, and expressions.
She says, 'I will come tomorrow'.
Indirect Speech
Use indirect speech to report what someone said without quoting them word-for-word, typically introduced by a reporting verb and adjusted for tense, person, and time.
Changing Tenses
When shifting from direct to indirect speech, you often move the verb back one tense when the reporting verb is in the past, so present becomes imperfect, and so on.
Changing Pronouns
Adjust pronouns in indirect speech to match the new narrator’s perspective, turning je into il/elle or nous into ils/elles as needed.
Changing Time and Place Expressions
Modify time and place expressions in indirect speech so they align with the moment of reporting, turning hier into la veille and ici into là-bas when appropriate.
Reporting Questions
Convert questions into indirect speech by changing the word order to suit a statement, choosing the right interrogative word, and introducing the question with verbs like demander or se demander.
Reporting Commands
Report commands or requests in indirect speech by using verbs such as ordonner, demander, or conseiller followed by an infinitive or que + subjunctive, depending on the nuance.
Signal Verbs
Choose signal verbs that match the type of speech—like dire, annoncer, répondre, demander, promettre—to clearly frame the reported remark and intention.
Summary
Remember: use direct speech for exact quotes with quotation marks, and indirect speech to weave remarks into the narrative while adjusting tense, pronouns, and expressions to fit the reporting context.
Changing Tenses
Changing Pronouns
Changing Time and Place Expressions
Reporting Questions
Reporting Commands
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025