Direct & Indirect Speech
Direct Speech refers to the act of reporting the exact words spoken by a person. We place these words inside quotation marks to show they are original. For example, Sita said, "I am going to the market." In this sentence, the part inside the marks is the direct quote. Indirect Speech, also known as Reported Speech, is when we report what someone said without using their exact words. We do not use quotation marks here. Instead, we use a connector like 'that'.
Concepts (3)
Follow the 'SON' rule for pronouns. 1st person (S) changes according to the Subject. 2nd person (O) changes according to the Object. 3rd person (N) has No change. Example: He said to me, 'You are late.' becomes He told me that I was late.
Follow the 'SON' rule for pronouns. 1st person (S) changes according to the Subject. 2nd person (O) changes according to the Object. 3rd person (N) has No change. Example: He said to me, 'You are late.' becomes He told me that I was late.
For Yes/No questions, use 'if' or 'whether'. For Wh-questions (who, what, when), use the question word itself. The sentence structure changes from a question to a statement. Example: 'Where do you live?' becomes 'He asked where I lived.'
For Yes/No questions, use 'if' or 'whether'. For Wh-questions (who, what, when), use the question word itself. The sentence structure changes from a question to a statement. Example: 'Where do you live?' becomes 'He asked where I lived.'
When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense of the speech moves one step into the past. Simple Present becomes Simple Past. Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect. For example: He said, 'I have finished.' becomes He said that he had finished.
When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense of the speech moves one step into the past. Simple Present becomes Simple Past. Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect. For example: He said, 'I have finished.' becomes He said that he had finished.
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Start Lesson: Pronoun Change (SON Rule)