Chapter-IX
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
A. Direct Speech.
Study the following conversation.
- Mina said, “Why did you come late to school?”
- Mitina said, “ I woke up late.”
Mark the exact words spoken by Mina and Mitina. Look at the above sentences and note the punctuation marks.
- The exact words of the speakers are put in inverted commas(“_______”)
- There is a comma (,) after the reporting verb sad in the above sentences.
- The quoted words begin with a CAPITAL LETTER.
- The closing inverted commas come after the punctuation mark.
We have noticed that the conversation commas ocme after the punctuation mark.
We have noticed that the conversation between Mina and Mitina is given in a written form with the punctuation marks in them. Therefore the above two sentences are said to be in Direct Speech.
B. Reported Speech/ Indirect Speech
Mark the following sentences:
- Mina asked Mitina why she had come school late.
- Mitina said that she had woken up late.
- The exact words of Mina and Mitina in sentences 1 and 2 are not repeated in sentences 3 and 4.
- We only give the meaning of what was said.
- We remove the inverted commas/ quotation marks and the comma after the verb ‘said’.
- The use of the verb ‘said’ (in direct speech) is known as the reporting verb. Study some more examples with different Reporting Verbs.
The sentences 3 and 4 are known as indirect speech.
Study some more examples with different Reporting Verbs.
Direct Speech:
Reporting verbs Actual words.
-I thought, “She comes from a foreign country”
-He explained, “I have been delayed by the weather’.
-I realized, “She cannot do it”.
-I promised (him), “I will do it now”.
Indirect Speech:
Reporting verbs Reported words.
-I thought (that) She came from a foreign country.
– He explained (that) he had been delayed by the weather.
– I realized (that) She could do it.
-I promised (him) (that) I would do it at one.
Remember: (i) When we report statements, we often use that, but we can sometimes leave it out.
(ii) The reported words (speech) begin with a small letter.
EXERCISE-1
Read the following sentences. Put them into two columns A and B. Write the Direct Speech under A and Indirect Speech under B.
- He said, “I am learning English”.
- They hoped (that ) they would see us that evening.
- He said, “My mother has been running a temperature”.
- He said (that) everybody stood up when the teacher arrived.
- He told us, “I have had enough”.
- He said, “I don’t understand his tricks”.
- My friend said (that) he was staying there.
- He said that he had forgotten to bring his umbrella.
Note: When we change a sentence from Direct Speech into Indirect Speech, some changes become necessary. These changes mainly depend on the kind of sentence reported –whether it is a declarative (statement) sentence, or an interrogative (question) sentence, or an Imperative sentence.
STATEMENT
Study the following sentences:
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
(a)
1. He says, “I am very sorry”. He says (that) he is very sorry.
2. He will say, “I was a player”. He will say that he was a player.
The verbs ‘says’ and ‘will say’ in the above sentences are reporting verbs. After a present tense the reporting verb or a reporting verb indicating future time (sentene-2), there is no change in the verb (tense) in indirect speech.
(b) (i) Read the following sentences mindfully. Mark how after a past tense reporting verb, the present tense verb is changed into its past form in indirect speech.
Direct Speech. Indirect Speech.
He said, ‘I like mangoes’. He said (that) he liked mangoes.
‘I am going to school’. He said (that) he was going to school
‘I have finished my home work’. He said (that) he had finished his home work.
‘I have been studying hard’. He said (that) he had been studying hard.
Notice that in Direct Speech the verbs like, am going, have finished and have been studying are respectively changed into liked, was going, had finished and had finished and had been studying forms. A statement is changed into a that-clause in Indirect Speech. The conjunction ‘that’ is usually left out in conversation.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech.
A verb in: Simple present àchanges toà Simple past.
Present progressive Past progressive.
Present perfect Past perfect.
Present prefect progressive Past perfect progressive.
(ii) Mark the changes when the verb in direct speech refers to the future.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech.
1. He said, “I met Mohan at the circus”. 1. He said (that) he (had) met Mohan at the circus.
[Here, ‘I’ in Direct Speech is not changed in Indirect Speech.]
2. They said, “We shall all 2. They said (that) they would all be back before dark.
be back before dark”.
3. He said, “That will do”. 3. He said that would do.
Generally shall/ will is changed to should / would with the first person and will is changed to would with other persons in Indirect Speech.
(III) Now mark how the past tense in Direct Speech is changed:
1. He said,” I met Mohan at the circus”. 1. He said (that) he (had) met Mohan at the circus.
2. He said, “I bought the house because
it was on the main road:. 2. He said (that) he had bought the house it was on the main road.
[I in Direct Speech is changed to
he in Indirect Speech]
(was is not changed to had been, because the house was still there on the main road after it was bought.)
3. He said , “My mother was ill”. 3. He said (that) his mother had been ill. (my changed to his)
4. He said, “I was reading ten
hours a day” 4. He said (that) he was/had been reading hours a day.
Note: The past simple remains unchanged because two past events happening at the same time.
5. He said, “Everybody stood up
when the chief guest arrived”. 5. He said (that) every body stood up when the chief guest arrived.
6. “The first world war broke out
in 1914”. The teacher told the class. 6. The teacher told the class (that) the first world war broke out in 1914. (Historical statement).
7. The newspaper reported, “The police
Surrounded the village, caught
the thieves and marched them off to
the police station”. 7. The newspaper reported (that) the police surrounded the village, caught the thieves and marched them off to the police station. (narrative)
The past perfect and the past perfect progressive do not change.
Look at the following sentences:
8. Reeta told me, “Mita had
already gone when I phoned
her this morning”
8. Reeta told me (that) Mita
had already gone when she
phoned her that morning.
9. He said, “I had been reading
a lot in my teens”.
9. he said (that) he had been reading a lot in his teens.
10. “You must eat all the cakes”,
Mother told us.
10. Mother told us that we had to eat all the cakes.
11. “He must be ill”, his friend said. 11. His friend said that he must be ill.
Notice that in the above sentence 10, the modal must is changed to had to only because must is used in Direct Speech to talk about obligations. But in sentence 11, must is not changed.
Note that
- The simple past is usually (but not always) changed to past perfect.
- The past progressive is usually (but not always) changed to past perfect progressive.
And
- The past perfect and past perfect progressive forms are not changed.
- Now study the following examples.
Direct Speech:
1. He said, “Puri is famous for Lord Jagannath”.
2. The teacher said”Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen”.
Here the tense of the verb is not changed because the statement is always true. However, generally, the present tense in direct speech is not changed into past tense if the sentence spoken expresses a universal truth or a habitual action or a scientific truth.
Remember that must in the meaning of ‘predication’, might, could, would, should, ought to and used to remain unchanged in indirect speech (Reported Speech).
(V) Change of Pronouns:
Study the following examples: Mark know the pronouns change in indirect speech.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
1. He said, “I am ill’. He said that he was ill.
I said, “I am ill”. I said that I was ill.
You said, “I am ill”. You said that you were ill.
2. He told me, “You may go”. He told me that I might go.
I told him, “You may go”. I told him that he might go.
Pronouns are changed from the point of view of the speaker as you have seen in the above examples.
Remember the speaker, the person spoken to and the person spoken about and you can put the correct pronouns in Indirect speech.
(vi) Change of Demonstrative and Adverbials.
Look at the following examples:
Direct Speech Indirect Speech.
Suvendu said, Suvendu Said that
“I must go to the library
Today and return this book. He had to go to the library that day
And return the/that book.
“Yesterday was the day for returning the book”.
the day before was the day for returning the book.
“I can return the book this evening” He could return the book that evening.
“I am leaving now” He was leaving then.
“I shall be sitting here tomorrow”. He would be sitting there the next day.
Here we mark that words indicating nearness are changed into indicating distance in indirect speech. Look at the list of changes made to demonstratives and adverbials of place and time in indirect speech.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech.
this ………………………………………………………………. that
these ……………………………………………………………. those
here………………………………………………………………. there
now………………………………………………………………. then
today ……………………………………………………………. that day
tonight …………………………………………………………. that night
tomorrow ……………………………………………………… the next day/ the following day.
yesterday ……………………………………………………… the day before/ the previous day
thus ………………………………………………………………. in that way
ago ………………………………………………………………. . before
next week / year etc ……………………………………… the following week/ year etc.
last week/ year …………………………………………….. . the previous week/ year etc.
EXERCISE-2
Rewrite the following in Indirect Speech. The first one has been done for you.
- She said, “I know who has stolen my watch.”
Ans: She said (that) she knew who had stolen her watch.
- Deepak said, “I shall never forget his kind words.”
- They say, “Bidhu will fare well in the examination.”
- The teacher said, “Morning is at 6 a.m.”
- I have already told you, “ I cannot help you in this matter.”
- The boy shouted, “The house is on fire.”
- He said, “I met her once.”
- He said, “We must have a party to celebrate this.”
- I told him, “You did not keep fit last year.”
- Sritam said to Pritam, “Puri is famous for its beach.”
- He said, “If I were Neil Armstrong, I would land on the moon.”
- He said, “I was playing football two hours a day.”
- The teacher said, “I forgot to bring my umbrella that day.”
- The reporter said, “People in central Africa had been dying in large numbers when Dr. Livingstone arrived.”
- “You are tired,” My uncle told me.
EXERCISE-3
Reply to these statements. The speakers are all saying something different to what they told you before. The first one has been done for you.
- “I’m going out with Harish.”
Ans. But you said (that) you weren’t going out with him.
- “I have got a video recorder.”
But you said yesterday __________________________
- “I like South Indian food more than Chinese.”
But you said __________________________
- “I prefer pop music to classical music.”
You told me __________________________
- “I enjoy reading grammar books.”
I remember you saying __________________________
- “I’m better at tennis than cricket.”
But you told me __________________________
Interrogatives
(a) Yes-No Questions:
Notice the following examples:
Direct Speech Indirect (Reported) Speech
- He said, “Is it raining heavily?” He asked whether if it was raining heavily.
- He said, “Shall I open the window?” He asked if/ whether he should open the window.
- I said to the post man, “Have you
brought any letter for me?” I asked the postman if/whether he had
brought any letter for me.
- In the above examples the question forms are introduced by verbs. In Indirect speech if/whether is used and we use the verb ask to report a question. The above Yes/ No questions are changed into noun clauses beginning with if/whether.
Summary of the form:
Ask + (person addressed) + if / whether + question in statement form i.e., subject verb…….order of the declarative sentence.
(b) Wh-questions:
Actual questions Reported questions
(Direct Speech) (Indirect Speech)
1. Chikul said, “How old are you?” Chikul asked/wanted to know how old I was.
2. My friend said, “When do the holidays begin?” My friend asked / wanted to know when the holidays began.
3. The teacher said, “Where was Napoleon born?” Napoleon was born. (Not where Napoleon had been born)
The above questions are asked for information. They begin with a wh–word how, when, where etc. These words serve as link between the reporting verb and the reported question.
Some other wh-words are who, what, why, which, whose etc.
Remember that the reporting verbs used with question sentencesin indirect speech are: ask , enquire, question, wonder, want to know etc.
Summary of the form:
Ask/enquire etc. + (Person addressed) + wh-word + question in statement form.
Note that:
- The question sentence is made a statement sentence is indirect speech.
- The reporting verb say (or tell) is changed to ask (also enquire, wonder, want to know etc.)
- Question clauses introduced by adverbs or pronouns, and demonstratives are not joined to the main clause by that; they are joined by wh-words.
- The change of verb form, person, and demonstrative and adverbials in interrogatives are the same as for statement.
- When question clauses are introduced by verbs, they are joined to the main clause by if/whether in indirect speech (in Yes/No. questions)
EXERCISE-4
You have been away for a while and have just come back to your house. You meet Piku, a friend of yours. He asks you lots of questions. Now report, in indirect speech, the question Pikul asked you.
- How are you?
- Will you be going away again?
- Why did you come back so soon?
- Do you have any work to do?
- Can you come to our house on Sunday?
- Why didn’t you take me with you?
EXERCISE-5
Ask for information using could you tell me………? Do you know …………? The first one has been done for you.
- “Where are the toilets?”(tell)
Ans: Could you tell me where the toilets are?
- Can I park the car here? (know)
Ans: Could I know if I can park the car here?
- How long does the class run? (tell)
- How often do the buses go? (know)
- How much does a ticket cost? (tell)
- Are we allowed to play? (know)
- What time is the flight? (tell)
Imperatives
Study the following examples:
Direct Speech Indirect (Reported) Speech
1. A police man said, “Please move this car.” A Police Man asked/told me to move the car.
2. We said to our neighbours, “Would you
mind turning the music down?” We asked our neighbours to turn the music down.
3. My father told me, “Remember
to bring the umbrella.” My father reminded me to bring the umbrella.
We can use the above structure tell / ask / remind while asking someone to do something.
But in the negative tell / ask / remind someone not to do something. Look at the following examples.
4. My landlord said to me, “You mustn’t
leave the door unlocked.” My landlord told me not to leave the door unlocked.
5. The teacher said, “Don’t move, boys.” The teacher told the boys not to move.
When reporting people’s commands, advice, offer, promise, agree, refuse, threaten, request and suggestions etc. We use to + infinitive structure.
6. The caption said, “Go away.” The captain told me / you etc. to go away.
7. He said, “Please post the letter for me.” He requested me to post the / that letter for him.
8. Mother said to me, ”Don’t keep late hours.” Mother advised me not to keep late hours.
9. He said, “Let’s stop here and rest for a while.” He suggested that we should stop there and rest for a while. / He suggested stopping there and resting for a while.
10 . The General said to the soldiers,”March on.” The General commanded / ordered the soldiers to march on.
Note : When reporting, we
(i) first replace the reporting verb say by a suitable verb from the following list: ask , order, advise, request, suggest, tell, remind, command, beg, warn, promise, agree, refuse etc.
(ii) add to before the verb (to + infinitive) of the imperative sentence.
Summary of the form:
ask / order / request etc. + person addressed + to + infinitive + the remaining part of the sentence.
EXERCISE-6
Answer these questions as shown in the examples:
Example: Q. Rani said to Arun, “Please lend me your dictionary.”
- “Open your mouth.” What did the dentist tell the patient?
- “Speak English most of the time.” What did the teacher advise you?
- “Shut the door.” What did Mohan ask his younger brother?
- “Don’t work so hard.” What did Sheela beg her father?
- “Have lunch early.” What did Pratik remind his father?
- “Write quickly.” What did the teacher ask his students?
- “Hurry up or I’ll miss the train.” What did he ask his servant?
- “Come here. Don’t go away.” What did he shout at the strange?
- “Take medicine two times a day.” What did the doctor ask the patient?
- “Consult a doctor immediately.” What did he ask his friend?
Exclamations
Mark the following sentences:
Direct Indirect (Reported) Speech
- He said, “What a dreadful night!” 1. He said (that) it was a dreadful night.
- He said, “Alas! How foolish I have been!” 2. He confessed with regret (that) he had been very foolish.
- She said to me, “Congratulation.” 3. She congratulated me.
- My friend said, “Good morning.” 4. My friend wished me a good morning/ He greeted me.
- He said, “Thank you.” 5. He thanked me.
- He said, “Can you work out this sum?”
and I said, “No.” 6. He asked me if I could work out that sum and I said (that) I could not.
- He said, “Do you like this?” “Yes,”
I replied. 7. He asked me if I liked it and I replied I did.
Note that
- In the above examples exclamatory sentences become statements in indirect speech.
- We use very to bring out the intensity / emphasisof the exclamation.
- In some cases, however, statements may fail to convey the meaning of exclamations. In such cases various constructions are possible. Often a new sentence carrying a similar sense is used.
EXERCISE-7
Rewrite the following in indirect speech as shown in the example:
Example: The priest said, “May God save the poor!
Ans: The priest prayed that God might save the poor.
- “How fine the weather is!” said the man.
- “Thank you for your kind visit,” said the host to the guest.
- The girl said, “What a beautiful sunset!”
- He said, “Hello! Where do you live?”
- The traveler said, “Farewell, friends.”
- The Captain said, “Hurrah! We have scored two goals!”
- The beggar said, “Oh, for a morsel of food!”
- The General said, “Bravo! You have done wonders!”
- The tourist said, “What a splendid building!”
- He said, “Do you need a ticket?” and I said, “No.”
EXERCISE-8
Now turn the following into ‘the direct speech’. The first one has been done for you.
- The policeman orderd the driver to stop his car.
Ans: The police man said, “Stop your car.”
- She asked me which school I went to.
- I told him to be quiet.
- Arjun said that he wanted to be a soldier.
- I asked Jiban if he would lend me a pencil.
- Mohan said he was having a party next weekend.
- I asked Lita how much money she had.
- They asked me if I could type.
EXERCISE-9
Now change the statement made by the speaker in each picture into reported speech using said/told.
- I want to be a doctor.
- I would like to be an engineer.
- Father, we’re going for a picnic next Sunday.
- Don’t disturb me when I’m reading the newspaper.
- Somebody has snatched my chain.
- I’ll run after him and try to get it back.
- I like your dress.
- It is new, my mother bought it for me yesterday.
- We can’t go out to play. It has been raining since yesterday.
- Let’s call Arun and Amita. We’ll play carrom.
The more we judge others the less time we have to love them.
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.