{"id":422,"date":"2013-01-04T12:06:28","date_gmt":"2013-01-04T12:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kamaxi.com\/WP\/?p=422"},"modified":"2013-03-04T12:49:41","modified_gmt":"2013-03-04T12:49:41","slug":"direct-and-reported-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kamaxi.com\/blogs\/direct-and-reported-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"Direct and Reported Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

There are two ways in language of conveying what someone else has said: Direct \/ Quoted speech<\/strong> <\/em>and Indirect \/ Reported speech<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Direct \/ Quoted speech<\/strong> involves quoting the exact words uttered by the person, within quotation marks. For example she said, \u2018I won\u2019t be coming home tonight.\u2019<\/em> is an example of direct speech.<\/p>\n

Indirect \/ Reported speech<\/strong>, on the other hand, does not have to be within quotes or word-for-word. In fact, unless one is relaying the exact words spoken, one should never use quotation marks. For example, she told us that she wouldn\u2019t be coming home that night<\/em> is an example of reported speech. Note that the verb tense necessarily changes in reported speech. This is because when we report speech, we are talking, obviously, about something that was said in the past. Hence, it becomes necessary to use the past tense of the verb.<\/p>\n

More Examples:<\/p>\n

DIRECT SPEECH<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said, \u2018I\u2019m fine.\u2019<\/p>\n

He said, \u2018I\u2019ve been married for 3 years.\u2019<\/p>\n

He said, \u2018I went to the theatre yesterday.\u2019<\/p>\n

He said, \u2018The show was already underway when the chief guest arrived.\u2019<\/p>\n

REPORTED SPEECH<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said that he was fine.<\/p>\n

He said that he had been married for 3 years.<\/p>\n

He said that he had gone to the theatre the day before.<\/p>\n

He said that the show was already underway when the chief guest arrived. (no change in tense)<\/em><\/p>\n

Another thing to note is that modal verbs (will, can, must, shall, may<\/em>) also change, taking their past tense forms (would, could, had to, should, might<\/em>). This also means that would, could, should, might <\/em>and ought to<\/em> do not change forms when reported.<\/p>\n

Online English Guru<\/a><\/strong> is your personal web English teacher<\/a><\/strong> who helps overcome all kinds of hurdles faced while communicating in English.<\/p>\n

Have you ever:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Missed a Job opportunity as you were unable to converse in English<\/a><\/strong> during the Interview?<\/p>\n

Learn English Today<\/a><\/strong> !\u00a0 www.onlineenglishguru.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

We can help you overcome all of the above and more, at your own pace and effectively, through Online English Guru. We provide, and specialize in, simple personalized online one to one English<\/a><\/strong> speaking courses designed specifically to meet your needs. All that is needed is your dedication, our support and practice to converse in English<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0At Online English Guru you can feel free to get all your queries and difficulties solved, that too at your own convenient pace and time. All you need to do is schedule yourself for a lecture with our web English Teachers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For more details log on www.onlineenglishguru.com<\/a><\/strong> or call +91-832-6481878<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kamaxi Overseas Consultants<\/strong>. is a leading\u00a0hospitality recruitment Agency\u00a0<\/a>specializing in\u00a0hotel jobs in Dubai\u00a0<\/a> & across the Middle East & Canada. If you are looking for hotel careers<\/a> , we recruit for chef jobs, jobs in travel & tourism, hotel housekeeping jobs<\/a> etc. Kamaxi Overseas Consultants<\/strong><\/strong>. is a\u00a0manpower recruitment agency\u00a0<\/a> for hospitality staff from India, Nepal, Philippines & SriLanka<\/a>.. We are a licensed\u00a0overseas recruitment agency<\/a>\u00a0by the Govt of India For\u00a0recruitment of Indian workers<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n