Comparison Between Directed and Reported Speech

DIRECT SPEECH VS. REPORTED SPEECH

There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks;

1. Direct speech shows a person’s exact words. Quotation marks (“. . .”) are a sign that the words are the same words that a person used. For example:

Madison: What do you want to eat for lunch?
Jason: I think I will have hamburger.

Direct speech:

Maria asked, “What do you want to eat for lunch?”
Jason replied, “I think I will have hamburger.”

2. Reported speech (Indirect speech) puts the speaker’s words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. For example:

Madison: What do you want to eat for lunch?
Jason: I think I will have hamburger.

Reported speech:

Madison asked Jason What he wanted for lunch.
Jason said that he was thinking of having hamburger for lunch.

COMPASRISON BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

1.0 VERB TENSE IN REPORTED SPEECH

DIRECT SPEECH | REPORTED SPEECH | simple present past present perfect will can | simple past past perfectpast perfect wouldcould |

Quotation Reported speech

“I am hungry.” She stated that she was hungry.
“The exam will be next week.” Dr. Jones said the exam will be next week

2.0 QUESTIONS IN REPORTED SPEECH

a. Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb. b. Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, it end with a period (.) even if it contains a reported question. c. To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause with if or whether. Whether or not may also be used. d. To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word,

DIRECT SPEECH | REPORTED SPEECH | * Question: Are you ready? Statement: I am ready. * “Did you turn off the coffee pot?” * “Is supper ready?”