DIRECT

AND

INDIRECT SPEECH

DIRECT SPEECH

Uses the exact words of the speaker. It is indicated by the use of inverted commas.A new paragraph or line is used for each new

speaker.

In cartoons or comics, these words are

enclosed in a speech bubble.

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DIRECT SPEECH

CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS

1. A clause containing an INTRODUCTORY VERB such as said or asked. This indicates the speaker. The introductory verb is followed by a comma.

2. The ACTUAL WORDS that are spoken.

These are enclosed in inverted commas – including the end punctuation mark.

The first word begins with a capital letter.

e.g.: Lucy says, “She is eating my cookies.”

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FORMATS OF DIRECT SPEECH

a) The INTRODUCTORY VERB comes before the spoken words.e.g. The teacher shouted, ”You are making noise!”

b) The INTRODUCTORY VERB comes after the spoken wordse.g.: “You are making noise,” shouted the teacher.

c) The INTRODUCTORY VERB may be in the middle of the sentence.e.g.: “You are making a terrible noise,” shouted the teacher, “and are acting like Grade 1 kids!”

FOLLOW-ON SENTENCE

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INDIRECT SPEECH

Many changes occur when a sentence is converted from DIRECT to INDIRECT speech.

Indirect speech is also called REPORTED speech.

Lucy says, “She is eating my cookies.”vs

Lucy says that she is eating her cookies.

a) Punctuation Remove all inverted commas, question marks, exclamation marks

and capital letters.

b) Pronouns They change but must still retain their meaning.

c) Introductory verb + THAT Insert the word THAT to link the introductory verb to the spoken

words. If a question is asked use IF / WHETHER / any appropriate

question verbs instead of THAT.

d) Tenses If the intro verb is in the present tense then the tense of the speech

does NOT change. If the intro verb is in the past tense then the tense of the speech

must move back one stage in terms of tense AND adverbs of time and place change too. 6

Possible adverbs of time and place

Here = thereThis = thatNow = thenToday = that dayYesterday = previous day / day beforeDay before yesterday = two days agoTomorrow = next / following dayDay after tomorrow = in two days’ time

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e) Commands Commands must be implied with a correct linking verb in the place

of THAT. Also include verbs like “shall” and “must”.

e.g.: The teacher orders, “Children, be quiet!”Becomes: The teacher orders the children to keep quiet.OR: The teacher orders that the children must be quiet.

f) Exclamations Exclamatory words (hooray, ouch, wow, good heavens) may NOT

be used in reported speech. However, they should still be expressed. To do so they must be described.

e.g.: “Ouch! I’ve stumped my toe!” screams the girl.Becomes: The girl screams in pain that she has stumped her toe.

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Examples Examples ExamplesDS: Calvin asks, “Where is my mother?”

intro verb present comma capital end punctuation inverted commas

RS: Calvin asks where his mother is.

NO comma question verb NO capital end punctuation NO inverted iso THAT & pronoun commas

changes

DS: Thandi said, “I am ill today.”

intro verb past comma capital adv of time end punct inverted commas

RS: Thandi said that she was ill that day.

NO comma link with NO cap verb one adv of time end punctuationTHAT & pronoun step back changes NO inverted commas

changes9

Let’s recap the changes!

• If intro verb is PRESENT tense change the following:1. punctuation2. pronouns3. link with that / question

verb

• If intro verb is in PAST tense change the following:1. punctuation2. pronouns3. link with that /

question verb4. tense of speech moves

one step into past5. adverbs of time and

place change to past

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ExercisesChange the following sentences into INDIRECT speech:1. Phuti asked Calvin, “Do you believe in ghosts?”2. “Michael has a doctor’s appointment today,” said Thandi.3. “We had practice yesterday,” said Margot, “in the rain.”4. “Amy, where were you yesterday?” asked Alex.5. Mangi said, “Tomorrow I shall explore the wilderness.”

Change the following sentences into DIRECT speech:1. He said that he had to wash the dog the following day.2. Ntombi asked her mother what they would have for supper that

evening.3. Grace said that Marco was a clown that day.4. Musa asked if they had homework for the following day.5. She asked when they would have time to study for that test.

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Answers1. Phuti asked Calvin if / he / believed / in ghosts.2. Thandi said that / Michael had / a doctor’s appointment / that

day /.3. Margo said that / they / had had / practice the previous day / in

the rain.4. Alex asked Amy / where she / had been / the day before /.5. Mangi said that / he / would / explore the wilderness.

1. He said, "I have to wash the dog tomorrow.”2. Ntombi asked, ”Mom, what will we have for supper tonight?”3. Grace said, “Marco is a clown today.”4. Musa asked, “Do we have homework for tomorrow?”5. She asked, “When will we have time to study for this test?

NB: Check for commas, inverted commas, capital letters and end punctuation!

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