Understanding Direct and Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
Direct and indirect speech—also known as reported speech—are essential grammatical structures in English. They allow us to repeat what someone has said, either using the speaker’s exact words or by paraphrasing them.
Mastering these forms helps learners:
Write accurately in academic and professional contexts
Improve storytelling and reporting skills
Understand conversations, news articles, and narratives
This guide explains what direct and indirect speech are, how to form them, when to use them, and the most common mistakes learners make.
1. What Is Direct Speech?
Direct speech reports the exact words spoken by a person. The speaker’s words are placed inside quotation marks.
Key Features of Direct Speech
Uses quotation marks (“ ”)
Maintains the original tense
Keeps the original pronouns and time expressions
Often includes a reporting verb (said, asked, replied, shouted, etc.)
Examples
She said, “I am tired.”
John asked, “Where are you going?”
The teacher said, “Open your books.”
2. What Is Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)?
Indirect speech reports what someone said without using their exact words. The quotation marks are removed, and the sentence structure changes.
Key Features of Indirect Speech
No quotation marks
Pronouns and time expressions change
The sentence becomes part of the reporting clause
Examples
She said that she was tired.
John asked where I was going.
The teacher told us to open our books.
Reporting verbs introduce the reported statement.
Common Reporting Verbs
said (most common and neutral)
told (must have an object)
asked
Examples
She said (that) she was late.
He told me he was busy.
They asked if we were ready.
Important:
You say something, but you tell someone something.
4. Tense Changes in Indirect Speech
When the reporting verb is in the past, the verb tense usually moves one step back.
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech
past simple →
past perfect
will →
can →
may →
Examples
“I like coffee.” → She said she liked coffee.
“I am studying.” → He said he was studying.
“I have finished.” → She said she had finished.
“I will call you.” → He said he would call me.
Tenses do not change when:
The statement is still true
It expresses a general fact
The reporting verb is in the present
Examples
She says, “Water boils at 100°C.”
→ She says that water boils at 100°C.
He said, “The Earth orbits the sun.”
→ He said that the Earth orbits the sun.
Pronouns must match the new speaker’s perspective.
Examples
“I am happy.” → She said she was happy.
“This is my book.” → He said it was his book.
“We are ready.” → They said they were ready.
Words related to time and place often change in indirect speech.
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech
now
then
today
that day
yesterday
the day before
tomorrow
the next day
here
there
this
that
Example
“I will see you tomorrow.”
→ She said she would see me the next day.
Use if or whether. The word order becomes statement order (no auxiliary “do”).
“Are you tired?”
→ She asked if I was tired.
Keep the question word, but remove the question form.
“Where do you live?”
→ He asked where I lived.
9. Reporting Commands and Requests
Commands and requests use: told / asked + object + infinitive
Examples
“Sit down.”
→ The teacher told us to sit down.
“Please help me.”
→ She asked me to help her.
“Don’t be late.”
→ He told me not to be late.
10. Common Mistakes Learners Make
She said me she was tired.
She told me she was tired.
He asked where did I go.
He asked where I went.
She said she will come tomorrow.
She said she would come the next day.
11. Why Direct and Indirect Speech Matter
Learning direct and indirect speech helps students:
Report conversations accurately
Write essays, reports, and narratives
Understand news articles and interviews
Communicate more naturally in English
It is a core grammar skill that appears frequently in exams, academic writing, and everyday communication.
In concludion, direct speech gives life and immediacy to language, while indirect speech allows us to report information clearly and efficiently. Understanding when and how to use each form is a major step toward fluency.
With practice, learners can move confidently between both forms, making their spoken and written English more precise, natural, and professional.
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