Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct Speech

We rarely write direct speech unless we include dialogue or quoted speech in our work. Of course, we read direct speech all the time, both in newspaper quotations and in novels and short stories where the characters speak to each other.

Punctuating Direct Speech

When the quoted speech goes at the end of the sentence:

The doctor said, “Take your medicine every day.”
The professor said, “We will have a test tomorrow afternoon.”

The candidate commented, “I have always been honest.”

Victor asked, “Why do you always come late?”

The coach screamed, “You have to play harder than this!”

When the quoted speech begins the sentence:

“I have always loved you,” Kil Yi whispered.
“Take your bags and report to section five!” the sergeant screamed.

 “Why do you always bother me?” the trainer asked.
“Please don’t take my pocketbook,” Laura pleaded.

 “Those roses are fantastic!” Emily exclaimed.

When the quoted speech is split by the subject and verb:

“I think,” Bob commented, “that this is the worst day of my life.”
“Could you please explain,” Karen asked, “why you are always so rude?” 

“I really feel,” Victoria said, “that you are 100% wrong.”
“Pick up your registration forms in Room 122,” the counselor stated, “and go to the gym with your  ID.”

 “I have never stolen anything,” Fred said, “and I have never lied, either.”

Indirect or Reported Speech

Direct speech tense

Reported speech tense

Example

Simple present	Simple past	“I love you.” = She said that she loved me.
Present progressive	Past progressive	“I am going to the party.” = She said that she was going to the party.
Present perfect	Past perfect	“I have eaten already.” = She said that she had eaten already.
Simple past	Past perfect	“I bought a new coat.” = She said that she had bought a new coat.
Past progressive	Past perfect progressive	“I was sleeping at that time.” = She said that she had been sleeping at that time.
Simple future	Conditional	“You will have a test next Thursday.” = The professor said that we would have a test next Thursday
Future progressive	Conditional progressive	“I will be traveling to Spain next month.” = She said that she would be traveling to Spain next month.
Can (present modal of ability)	Could	“You can eat whatever you want.” = The doctor said that I could eat whatever I wanted.
Imperative	Infinitive	“Eat your vegetables.” = My mother told me to eat my vegetables.

Grammar notes:

· In spoken grammar, the simple present is sometimes reported in the simple present when the action has just occurred or if the statement is a well-known fact. (E.g., Ruth says that she loves me.)

· Sometimes, in predictions, the reporting verb is in the future and the other clause is in the simple present. (E.g., My mother will say that she is too sick to go.)

· Use said without a direct object. (E.g., Jim said that he was coming.)

· Use told with a direct object. (E.g., The teacher told me to come early.)· In reporting imperatives (commands), remember to use the correct negative infinitive form (not + infinitive). (E.g., Rosita told me not to eat the cake before dinner.)