English Grammar : Narration / Direct and Indirect Speech
ENGLISH GRAMMAR DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH (NARRATION) Introduction Direct Speech means using the exact words of the speaker inside quotation marks. Example: Ram said, “I am busy.” Indirect Speech means reporting the speaker’s words without quotation marks. Example: Ram said that he was busy. Rule 1. Reporting Verbs The words used to introduce speech are called reporting verbs. said is used without an object. told is used with an object. asked is used for questions. ordered, requested, advised, suggested are used for commands, requests and advice. Rule 2. Changes in Pronouns First person pronouns change according to the subject. Second person pronouns change according to the object. Third person pronouns do not change. Example Direct: He said to me, “You are kind.” Indirect: He told me that I was kind. Rule 3. Changes in Tenses When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense of reported speech becomes one step past. Simple Present changes to Simple Past. Present Cont...