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Reported speech: indirect speech
Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech , the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.
Indirect speech: reporting statements
Indirect reports of statements consist of a reporting clause and a that -clause. We often omit that , especially in informal situations:
The pilot commented that the weather had been extremely bad as the plane came in to land. (The pilotâs words were: âThe weather was extremely bad as the plane came in to land.â )
I told my wife I didnât want a party on my 50th birthday. ( that -clause without that ) (or I told my wife that I didnât want a party on my 50th birthday .)
Indirect speech: reporting questions
Reporting yes-no questions and alternative questions.
Indirect reports of yes-no questions and questions with or consist of a reporting clause and a reported clause introduced by if or whether . If is more common than whether . The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:
She asked if [S] [V] I was Scottish. (original yes-no question: âAre you Scottish?â )
The waiter asked whether [S] we [V] wanted a table near the window. (original yes-no question: âDo you want a table near the window? )
He asked me if [S] [V] I had come by train or by bus. (original alternative question: âDid you come by train or by bus?â )
Questions: yes-no questions ( Are you feeling cold? )
Reporting wh -questions
Indirect reports of wh -questions consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a wh -word ( who, what, when, where, why, how ). We donât use a question mark:
He asked me what I wanted.
Not: He asked me what I wanted?
The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:
She wanted to know who [S] we [V] had invited to the party.
Not: ⊠who had we invited âŠ
Who , whom and what
In indirect questions with who, whom and what , the wh- word may be the subject or the object of the reported clause:
I asked them who came to meet them at the airport. ( who is the subject of came ; original question: âWho came to meet you at the airport?â )
He wondered what the repairs would cost. ( what is the object of cost ; original question: âWhat will the repairs cost?â )
She asked us what [S] we [V] were doing . (original question: âWhat are you doing?â )
Not: She asked us what were we doing?
When , where , why and how
We also use statement word order (subject + verb) with when , where, why and how :
I asked her when [S] it [V] had happened (original question: âWhen did it happen?â ).
Not: I asked her when had it happened?
I asked her where [S] the bus station [V] was . (original question: âWhere is the bus station?â )
Not: I asked her where was the bus station?
The teacher asked them how [S] they [V] wanted to do the activity . (original question: âHow do you want to do the activity?â )
Not: The teacher asked them how did they want to do the activity?
Questions: wh- questions
Indirect speech: reporting commands
Indirect reports of commands consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a to -infinitive:
The General ordered the troops to advance . (original command: âAdvance!â )
The chairperson told him to sit down and to stop interrupting . (original command: âSit down and stop interrupting!â )
We also use a to -infinitive clause in indirect reports with other verbs that mean wanting or getting people to do something, for example, advise, encourage, warn :
They advised me to wait till the following day. (original statement: âYou should wait till the following day.â )
The guard warned us not to enter the area. (original statement: âYou must not enter the area.â )
Verbs followed by a to -infinitive
Indirect speech: present simple reporting verb
We can use the reporting verb in the present simple in indirect speech if the original words are still true or relevant at the time of reporting, or if the report is of something someone often says or repeats:
Sheila says theyâre closing the motorway tomorrow for repairs.
Henry tells me heâs thinking of getting married next year.
Rupert says dogs shouldnât be allowed on the beach. (Rupert probably often repeats this statement.)
Newspaper headlines
We often use the present simple in newspaper headlines. It makes the reported speech more dramatic:
JUDGE TELLS REPORTER TO LEAVE COURTROOM
PRIME MINISTER SAYS FAMILIES ARE TOP PRIORITY IN TAX REFORM
Present simple ( I work )
Reported speech
Reported speech: direct speech
Indirect speech: past continuous reporting verb
In indirect speech, we can use the past continuous form of the reporting verb (usually say or tell ). This happens mostly in conversation, when the speaker wants to focus on the content of the report, usually because it is interesting news or important information, or because it is a new topic in the conversation:
Rory was telling me the big cinema in James Street is going to close down. Is that true?
Alex was saying that book sales have gone up a lot this year thanks to the Internet.
âBackshiftâ refers to the changes we make to the original verbs in indirect speech because time has passed between the moment of speaking and the time of the report.
In these examples, the present ( am ) has become the past ( was ), the future ( will ) has become the future-in-the-past ( would ) and the past ( happened ) has become the past perfect ( had happened ). The tenses have âshiftedâ or âmoved backâ in time.
The past perfect does not shift back; it stays the same:
Modal verbs
Some, but not all, modal verbs âshift backâ in time and change in indirect speech.
We can use a perfect form with have + - ed form after modal verbs, especially where the report looks back to a hypothetical event in the past:
He said the noise might have been the postman delivering letters. (original statement: âThe noise might be the postman delivering letters.â )
He said he would have helped us if weâd needed a volunteer. (original statement: âIâll help you if you need a volunteerâ or âIâd help you if you needed a volunteer.â )
Used to and ought to do not change in indirect speech:
She said she used to live in Oxford. (original statement: âI used to live in Oxford.â )
The guard warned us that we ought to leave immediately. (original statement: âYou ought to leave immediately.â )
No backshift
We donât need to change the tense in indirect speech if what a person said is still true or relevant or has not happened yet. This often happens when someone talks about the future, or when someone uses the present simple, present continuous or present perfect in their original words:
He told me his brother works for an Italian company. (It is still true that his brother works for an Italian company.)
She said she âs getting married next year. (For the speakers, the time at the moment of speaking is âthis yearâ.)
He said he âs finished painting the door. (He probably said it just a short time ago.)
She promised she âll help us. (The promise applies to the future.)
Indirect speech: changes to pronouns
Changes to personal pronouns in indirect reports depend on whether the person reporting the speech and the person(s) who said the original words are the same or different.
Indirect speech: changes to adverbs and demonstratives
We often change demonstratives ( this, that ) and adverbs of time and place ( now, here, today , etc.) because indirect speech happens at a later time than the original speech, and perhaps in a different place.
Typical changes to demonstratives, adverbs and adverbial expressions
Indirect speech: typical errors.
The word order in indirect reports of wh- questions is the same as statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order:
She always asks me where [S] [V] I am going .
Not: She always asks me where am I going .
We donât use a question mark when reporting wh- questions:
I asked him what he was doing.
Not: I asked him what he was doing?
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What is Reported Speech and how to use it? with Examples
Published by
Olivia Drake
Reported speech and indirect speech are two terms that refer to the same concept, which is the act of expressing what someone else has said.
On this page:
Reported speech is different from direct speech because it does not use the speaker’s exact words. Instead, the reporting verb is used to introduce the reported speech, and the tense and pronouns are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. There are two main types of reported speech: statements and questions.
1. Reported Statements: In reported statements, the reporting verb is usually “said.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and any pronouns referring to the speaker or listener are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. For example, “I am going to the store,” becomes “He said that he was going to the store.”
2. Reported Questions: In reported questions, the reporting verb is usually “asked.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and the word order changes from a question to a statement. For example, “What time is it?” becomes “She asked what time it was.”
It’s important to note that the tense shift in reported speech depends on the context and the time of the reported speech. Here are a few more examples:
- Direct speech: “I will call you later.”Reported speech: He said that he would call me later.
- Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.
- Direct speech: “I love pizza.”Reported speech: They said that they loved pizza.
When do we use reported speech?
Reported speech is used to report what someone else has said, thought, or written. It is often used in situations where you want to relate what someone else has said without quoting them directly.
Reported speech can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in news reports, academic writing, and everyday conversation. Some common situations where reported speech is used include:
News reports:Â Journalists often use reported speech to quote what someone said in an interview or press conference.
Business and professional communication: Â In professional settings, reported speech can be used to summarize what was discussed in a meeting or to report feedback from a customer.
Conversational English: Â In everyday conversations, reported speech is used to relate what someone else said. For example, “She told me that she was running late.”
Narration:Â In written narratives or storytelling, reported speech can be used to convey what a character said or thought.
How to make reported speech?
1. Change the pronouns and adverbs of time and place: In reported speech, you need to change the pronouns, adverbs of time and place to reflect the new speaker or point of view. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “I’m going to the store now,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was going to the store then.
In this example, the pronoun “I” is changed to “she” and the adverb “now” is changed to “then.”
2. Change the tense: In reported speech, you usually need to change the tense of the verb to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet me at the park the next day.
In this example, the present tense “will” is changed to the past tense “would.”
3. Change reporting verbs: In reported speech, you can use different reporting verbs such as “say,” “tell,” “ask,” or “inquire” depending on the context of the speech. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.
In this example, the reporting verb “asked” is changed to “said” and “did” is changed to “had.”
Overall, when making reported speech, it’s important to pay attention to the verb tense and the changes in pronouns, adverbs, and reporting verbs to convey the original speaker’s message accurately.
How do I change the pronouns and adverbs in reported speech?
1. Changing Pronouns: In reported speech, the pronouns in the original statement must be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. Generally, the first person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours) are changed according to the subject of the reporting verb, while the second and third person pronouns (you, your, yours, he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs) are changed according to the object of the reporting verb. For example:
Direct speech: “I love chocolate.” Reported speech: She said she loved chocolate.
Direct speech: “You should study harder.” Reported speech: He advised me to study harder.
Direct speech: “She is reading a book.” Reported speech: They noticed that she was reading a book.
2. Changing Adverbs: In reported speech, the adverbs and adverbial phrases that indicate time or place may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. For example:
Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech: She said she was going to the cinema that night.
Direct speech: “He is here.” Reported speech: She said he was there.
Note that the adverb “now” usually changes to “then” or is omitted altogether in reported speech, depending on the context.
It’s important to keep in mind that the changes made to pronouns and adverbs in reported speech depend on the context and the perspective of the new speaker. With practice, you can become more comfortable with making these changes in reported speech.
How do I change the tense in reported speech?
In reported speech, the tense of the reported verb usually changes to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here are some guidelines on how to change the tense in reported speech:
Present simple in direct speech changes to past simple in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I like pizza.” Reported speech: She said she liked pizza.
Present continuous in direct speech changes to past continuous in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I am studying for my exam.” Reported speech: He said he was studying for his exam.
Present perfect in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I have finished my work.” Reported speech: She said she had finished her work.
Past simple in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I visited my grandparents last weekend.” Reported speech: She said she had visited her grandparents the previous weekend.
Will in direct speech changes to would in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I will help you with your project.” Reported speech: He said he would help me with my project.
Can in direct speech changes to could in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I can speak French.” Reported speech: She said she could speak French.
Remember that the tense changes in reported speech depend on the tense of the verb in the direct speech, and the tense you use in reported speech should match the time frame of the new speaker’s perspective. With practice, you can become more comfortable with changing the tense in reported speech.
Do I always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech?
No, you do not always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech. However, using a reporting verb can help to clarify who is speaking and add more context to the reported speech.
In some cases, the reported speech can be introduced by phrases such as “I heard that” or “It seems that” without using a reporting verb. For example:
Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She said she was going to the cinema tonight. Reported speech without a reporting verb: It seems that she’s going to the cinema tonight.
However, it’s important to note that using a reporting verb can help to make the reported speech more formal and accurate. When using reported speech in academic writing or journalism, it’s generally recommended to use a reporting verb to make the reporting more clear and credible.
Some common reporting verbs include say, tell, explain, ask, suggest, and advise. For example:
Direct speech: “I think we should invest in renewable energy.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She suggested that they invest in renewable energy.
Overall, while using a reporting verb is not always required, it can be helpful to make the reported speech more clear and accurate
How to use reported speech to report questions and commands?
1. Reporting Questions: When reporting questions, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “What time is the meeting?” Reported speech: She asked what time the meeting was.
Note that the question mark is not used in reported speech.
2. Reporting Commands: When reporting commands, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “ordered” or “told” followed by the person, to + infinitive, and any additional information. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “Clean your room!” Reported speech: She ordered me to clean my room.
Note that the exclamation mark is not used in reported speech.
In both cases, the tense of the reported verb should be changed accordingly. For example, present simple changes to past simple, and future changes to conditional. Here are some examples:
Direct speech: “Will you go to the party with me?”Reported speech: She asked if I would go to the party with her. Direct speech: “Please bring me a glass of water.”Reported speech: She requested that I bring her a glass of water.
Remember that when using reported speech to report questions and commands, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.
How to make questions in reported speech?
To make questions in reported speech, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here are the steps to make questions in reported speech:
Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb in the sentence. Common reporting verbs used to report questions include “asked,” “inquired,” “wondered,” and “wanted to know.”
Change the tense and pronouns: Next, you need to change the tense and pronouns in the sentence to reflect the shift from direct to reported speech. The tense of the verb is usually shifted back one tense (e.g. from present simple to past simple) in reported speech. The pronouns should also be changed as necessary to reflect the shift in perspective from the original speaker to the reporting speaker.
Use an appropriate question word: If the original question contained a question word (e.g. who, what, where, when, why, how), you should use the same question word in the reported question. If the original question did not contain a question word, you can use “if” or “whether” to introduce the reported question.
Change the word order: In reported speech, the word order of the question changes from the inverted form to a normal statement form. The subject usually comes before the verb, unless the original question started with a question word.
Here are some examples of reported questions:
Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: He wanted to know if I had finished my homework. Direct speech: “Where are you going?”Reported speech: She wondered where I was going.
Remember that when making questions in reported speech, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.
Here you can find more examples of direct and indirect questions
What is the difference between reported speech an indirect speech?
In reported or indirect speech, you are retelling or reporting what someone said using your own words. The tense of the reported speech is usually shifted back one tense from the tense used in the original statement. For example, if someone said, “I am going to the store,” in reported speech you would say, “He/she said that he/she was going to the store.”
The main difference between reported speech and indirect speech is that reported speech usually refers to spoken language, while indirect speech can refer to both spoken and written language. Additionally, indirect speech is a broader term that includes reported speech as well as other ways of expressing what someone else has said, such as paraphrasing or summarizing.
Examples of direct speech to reported
- Direct speech: “I am hungry,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was hungry.
- Direct speech: “Can you pass the salt, please?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked her to pass the salt.
- Direct speech: “I will meet you at the cinema,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet her at the cinema.
- Direct speech: “I have been working on this project for hours,” she said. Reported speech: She said she had been working on the project for hours.
- Direct speech: “What time does the train leave?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked what time the train left.
- Direct speech: “I love playing the piano,” she said. Reported speech: She said she loved playing the piano.
- Direct speech: “I am going to the grocery store,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to the grocery store.
- Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” the teacher asked. Reported speech: The teacher asked if he had finished his homework.
- Direct speech: “I want to go to the beach,” she said. Reported speech: She said she wanted to go to the beach.
- Direct speech: “Do you need help with that?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked if she needed help with that.
- Direct speech: “I can’t come to the party,” he said. Reported speech: He said he couldn’t come to the party.
- Direct speech: “Please don’t leave me,” she said. Reported speech: She begged him not to leave her.
- Direct speech: “I have never been to London before,” he said. Reported speech: He said he had never been to London before.
- Direct speech: “Where did you put my phone?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked where she had put her phone.
- Direct speech: “I’m sorry for being late,” he said. Reported speech: He apologized for being late.
- Direct speech: “I need some help with this math problem,” she said. Reported speech: She said she needed some help with the math problem.
- Direct speech: “I am going to study abroad next year,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to study abroad the following year.
- Direct speech: “Can you give me a ride to the airport?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked him to give her a ride to the airport.
- Direct speech: “I don’t know how to fix this,” he said. Reported speech: He said he didn’t know how to fix it.
- Direct speech: “I hate it when it rains,” she said. Reported speech: She said she hated it when it rained.
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Reported Speech
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Reported Statements
Here's how it works:
We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. ( Click here for more about using 'say' and 'tell' .) If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence:
- Direct speech: I like ice cream.
- Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.
We don't need to change the tense, though probably we do need to change the 'person' from 'I' to 'she', for example. We also may need to change words like 'my' and 'your'. (As I'm sure you know, often, we can choose if we want to use 'that' or not in English. I've put it in brackets () to show that it's optional. It's exactly the same if you use 'that' or if you don't use 'that'.)
But , if the reporting verb is in the past tense, then usually we change the tenses in the reported speech:
- Reported speech: She said (that) she liked ice cream.
* doesn't change.
- Direct speech: The sky is blue.
- Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue.
Click here for a mixed tense exercise about practise reported statements. Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.
Reported Questions
So now you have no problem with making reported speech from positive and negative sentences. But how about questions?
- Direct speech: Where do you live?
- Reported speech: She asked me where I lived.
- Direct speech: Where is Julie?
- Reported speech: She asked me where Julie was.
- Direct speech: Do you like chocolate?
- Reported speech: She asked me if I liked chocolate.
Click here to practise reported 'wh' questions. Click here to practise reported 'yes / no' questions. Reported Requests
There's more! What if someone asks you to do something (in a polite way)? For example:
- Direct speech: Close the window, please
- Or: Could you close the window please?
- Or: Would you mind closing the window please?
- Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
- Direct speech: Please don't be late.
- Reported speech: She asked us not to be late.
Reported Orders
- Direct speech: Sit down!
- Reported speech: She told me to sit down.
- Click here for an exercise to practise reported requests and orders.
- Click here for an exercise about using 'say' and 'tell'.
- Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.
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Indirect Speech Definition and Examples
- An Introduction to Punctuation
- Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
- M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
- B.A., English, State University of New York
Indirect speech is a report on what someone else said or wrote without using that person's exact words (which is called direct speech). It's also called indirect discourse or reported speech .Â
Direct vs. Indirect Speech
In direct speech , a person's exact words are placed in quotation marks and set off with a comma and a reporting clause or signal phrase , such as "said" or "asked." In fiction writing, using direct speech can display the emotion of an important scene in vivid detail through the words themselves as well as the description of how something was said. In nonfiction writing or journalism, direct speech can emphasize a particular point, by using a source's exact words.
Indirect speech is paraphrasing what someone said or wrote. In writing, it functions to move a piece along by boiling down points that an interview source made. Unlike direct speech, indirect speech is not  usually placed inside quote marks. However, both are attributed to the speaker because they come directly from a source.
How to Convert
In the first example below, the verb in the present tense in the line of direct speech ( is) may change to the past tense ( was ) in indirect speech, though it doesn't necessarily have to with a present-tense verb. If it makes sense in context to keep it present tense, that's fine.
- Direct speech: Â "Where is your textbook? " the teacher asked me.
- Indirect speech:  The teacher asked me where my textbook was.
- Indirect speech: The teacher asked me where my textbook is.
Keeping the present tense in reported speech can give the impression of immediacy, that it's being reported soon after the direct quote,such as:
- Direct speech: Â Bill said, "I can't come in today, because I'm sick."
- Indirect speech: Â Bill said (that) he can't come in today because he's sick.
Future Tense
An action in the future (present continuous tense or future)Â doesn't have to change verb tense, either, as these examples demonstrate.
- Direct speech:  Jerry said, "I'm going to buy a new car."
- Indirect speech:  Jerry said (that) he's going to buy a new car.
- Direct speech: Â Jerry said, "I will buy a new car."
- Indirect speech: Â Jerry said (that) he will buy a new car.
Indirectly reporting an action in the future can change verb tenses when needed. In this next example, changing the am going  to was going implies that she has already left for the mall. However, keeping the tense progressive or continuous implies that the action continues, that she's still at the mall and not back yet.
- Direct speech:Â She said, "I'm going to the mall."
- Indirect speech:Â She said (that) she was going to the mall.
- Indirect speech: She said (that) she is going to the mall.
Other Changes
With a past-tense verb in the direct quote, the verb changes to past perfect.
- Direct speech: She said, "I went to the mall."
- Indirect speech:Â She said (that)Â she had gone to the mall.
Note the change in first person (I) and second person (your) pronouns and word order in the indirect versions. The person has to change because the one reporting the action is not the one actually doing it. Third person (he or she) in direct speech remains in the third person.
Free Indirect Speech
In free indirect speech, which is commonly used in fiction, the reporting clause (or signal phrase) is omitted. Using the technique is a way to follow a character's point of viewâin third-person limited omniscientâand show her thoughts intermingled with narration.
Typically in fiction italics show a character's exact thoughts, and quote marks show dialogue. Free indirect speech makes do without the italics and simply combines the internal thoughts of the character with the narration of the story. Writers who have used this technique include James Joyce, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Henry James, Zora Neale Hurston, and D.H. Lawrence. Â
- Question Mark Definition and Examples
- Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples
- Indirect Speech in the English Language
- Direct Speech Definition and Examples
- French Grammar: Direct and Indirect Speech
- How to Teach Reported Speech
- Definition and Examples of Direct Quotations
- How to Use Indirect Quotations in Writing for Complete Clarity
- What Is Attribution in Writing?
- Backshift (Sequence-of-Tense Rule in Grammar)
- Indirect Question: Definition and Examples
- Reported Speech
- Using Reported Speech: ESL Lesson Plan
- Constructed Dialogue in Storytelling and Conversation
- The Subjunctive Present in German
- What Are Reporting Verbs in English Grammar?
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Direct and Indirect Speech: Useful Rules and Examples
Are you having trouble understanding the difference between direct and indirect speech? Direct speech is when you quote someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. This can be a tricky concept to grasp, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to use both forms of speech with ease.
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Direct and Indirect Speech
When someone speaks, we can report what they said in two ways: direct speech and indirect speech. Direct speech is when we quote the exact words that were spoken, while indirect speech is when we report what was said without using the speaker’s exact words. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “I love pizza,” said John. Indirect speech: John said that he loved pizza.
Using direct speech can make your writing more engaging and can help to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion. However, indirect speech can be useful when you want to summarize what someone said or when you don’t have the exact words that were spoken.
To change direct speech to indirect speech, you need to follow some rules. Firstly, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb. Secondly, you need to change the pronouns and adverbs in the reported speech to match the new speaker. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “I will go to the park,” said Sarah. Indirect speech: Sarah said that she would go to the park.
It’s important to note that when you use indirect speech, you need to use reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked” to indicate who is speaking. Here’s an example:
Direct speech: “What time is it?” asked Tom. Indirect speech: Tom asked what time it was.
In summary, understanding direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication and writing. Direct speech can be used to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion, while indirect speech can be useful when summarizing what someone said. By following the rules for changing direct speech to indirect speech, you can accurately report what was said while maintaining clarity and readability in your writing.
Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech
When it comes to reporting speech, there are two ways to go about it: direct and indirect speech. Direct speech is when you report someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. Here are some of the key differences between direct and indirect speech:
Change of Pronouns
In direct speech, the pronouns used are those of the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the pronouns have to be changed to reflect the perspective of the reporter. For example:
- Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John.
- Indirect speech: John said he was going to the store.
In the above example, the pronoun “I” changes to “he” in indirect speech.
Change of Tenses
Another major difference between direct and indirect speech is the change of tenses. In direct speech, the verb tense used is the same as that used by the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the verb tense may change depending on the context. For example:
- Direct speech: “I am studying for my exams,” said Sarah.
- Indirect speech: Sarah said she was studying for her exams.
In the above example, the present continuous tense “am studying” changes to the past continuous tense “was studying” in indirect speech.
Change of Time and Place References
When reporting indirect speech, the time and place references may also change. For example:
- Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” said Tom.
- Indirect speech: Tom said he would meet you at the park the next day.
In the above example, “tomorrow” changes to “the next day” in indirect speech.
Overall, it is important to understand the differences between direct and indirect speech to report speech accurately and effectively. By following the rules of direct and indirect speech, you can convey the intended message of the original speaker.
Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech
When you need to report what someone said in your own words, you can use indirect speech. To convert direct speech into indirect speech, you need to follow a few rules.
Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks
The first step is to remove the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text. This is because indirect speech does not use the exact words of the speaker.
Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker
To indicate that you are reporting what someone said, you need to use a reporting verb such as “said,” “asked,” “told,” or “exclaimed.” You also need to use a linker such as “that” or “whether” to connect the reporting verb to the reported speech.
For example:
- Direct speech: “I love ice cream,” said Mary.
- Indirect speech: Mary said that she loved ice cream.
Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb
When you use indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb.
- Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.
Step 4: Change the Pronouns
You also need to change the pronouns in the reported speech to match the subject of the reporting verb.
- Direct speech: “Are you busy now?” Tina asked me.
- Indirect speech: Tina asked whether I was busy then.
By following these rules, you can convert direct speech into indirect speech and report what someone said in your own words.
Converting Indirect Speech Into Direct Speech
Converting indirect speech into direct speech involves changing the reported speech to its original form as spoken by the speaker. Here are the steps to follow when converting indirect speech into direct speech:
- Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb used in the indirect speech. This will help you determine the tense of the direct speech.
- Change the pronouns: The next step is to change the pronouns in the indirect speech to match the person speaking in the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “She said that she was going to the store,” the direct speech would be “I am going to the store,” if you are the person speaking.
- Change the tense: Change the tense of the verbs in the indirect speech to match the tense of the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “He said that he would visit tomorrow,” the direct speech would be “He says he will visit tomorrow.”
- Remove the reporting verb and conjunction: In direct speech, there is no need for a reporting verb or conjunction. Simply remove them from the indirect speech to get the direct speech.
Here is an example to illustrate the process:
Indirect Speech: John said that he was tired and wanted to go home.
Direct Speech: “I am tired and want to go home,” John said.
By following these steps, you can easily convert indirect speech into direct speech.
Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct and indirect speech are two ways to report what someone has said. Direct speech reports the exact words spoken by a person, while indirect speech reports the meaning of what was said. Here are some examples of both types of speech:
Direct Speech Examples
Direct speech is used when you want to report the exact words spoken by someone. It is usually enclosed in quotation marks and is often used in dialogue.
- “I am going to the store,” said Sarah.
- “It’s a beautiful day,” exclaimed John.
- “Please turn off the lights,” Mom told me.
- “I will meet you at the library,” said Tom.
- “We are going to the beach tomorrow,” announced Mary.
Indirect Speech Examples
Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. It is often used in news reports, academic writing, and in situations where you want to paraphrase what someone said.
Here are some examples of indirect speech:
- Sarah said that she was going to the store.
- John exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
- Mom told me to turn off the lights.
- Tom said that he would meet me at the library.
- Mary announced that they were going to the beach tomorrow.
In indirect speech, the verb tense may change to reflect the time of the reported speech. For example, “I am going to the store” becomes “Sarah said that she was going to the store.” Additionally, the pronouns and possessive adjectives may also change to reflect the speaker and the person being spoken about.
Overall, both direct and indirect speech are important tools for reporting what someone has said. By using these techniques, you can accurately convey the meaning of what was said while also adding your own interpretation and analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is direct and indirect speech?
Direct and indirect speech refer to the ways in which we communicate what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, using quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting someone. Indirect speech, on the other hand, involves reporting what someone has said without using their exact words.
How do you convert direct speech to indirect speech?
To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb, such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.” For example, “I love ice cream,” said Mary (direct speech) can be converted to “Mary said that she loved ice cream” (indirect speech).
What is the difference between direct speech and indirect speech?
The main difference between direct speech and indirect speech is that direct speech uses the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. Direct speech is usually enclosed in quotation marks, while indirect speech is not.
What are some examples of direct and indirect speech?
Some examples of direct speech include “I am going to the store,” said John and “I love pizza,” exclaimed Sarah. Some examples of indirect speech include John said that he was going to the store and Sarah exclaimed that she loved pizza .
What are the rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech?
The rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech include changing the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb and use appropriate reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.”
What is a summary of direct and indirect speech?
Direct and indirect speech are two ways of reporting what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions and introduce a reporting verb.
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Changes in Indirect Speech
Welcome to a comprehensive tutorial providing guidance on the proper use, types, and rules of indirect speech in English grammar. Indirect speech, also called reported speech, allows us to share another person’s exact words without using quotes. It is particularly useful in written language. This tutorial aims to brief you about the changes that occur when switching from direct speech to indirect speech. It further explains the necessary rules which must be followed during this transition.
Table of Contents
Understanding Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct speech refers to the exact wording that someone uses when performing an act of speech. However, indirect speech implicitly shares the content of the person’s original words.
Direct Speech: He said, “I am hungry.” Indirect Speech: He said that he was hungry.
Notably, an essential component of indirect speech is the change in verb tense. In the direct speech example, the speaker uses the present tense “am.” In the indirect version, even though the speaker is still hungry, the tense changes to the past “was.”
Changes in Verb Tenses
The verb tense in indirect speech is one step back in time from the tense in the direct speech. Here are the common changes:
- Present Simple becomes Past Simple.
- Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous.
- Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect.
- Present Perfect Continuous becomes Past Perfect Continuous.
- Past Simple becomes Past Perfect.
Direct: He says, “I need help.” Indirect: He said he needed help.
Direct: She is saying, “I am reading a book.” Indirect: She was saying that she was reading a book.
Changes in Time and Place References
Besides the tense, word usage for place and time often changes when converting from direct to indirect speech.
- âNowâ changes to âthenâ.
- âTodayâ changes to âthat dayâ.
- âYesterdayâ turns into âthe day beforeâ or âthe previous dayâ.
- âTomorrowâ changes to âthe next dayâ or âthe following dayâ.
- âLast week/month/yearâ switches to âthe previous week/month/yearâ.
- âNext week/month/yearâ changes to âthe following week/month/yearâ.
- âHereâ turns into âthereâ.
Direct: He said, “I will do it tomorrow.” Indirect: He said that he would do it the next day.
Direct: She said, “I was here.”
Indirect: She said that she was there.
Changes in Modals
Modals also change when transforming direct speech into indirect speech. Here are some common changes:
- ‘Can’ changes to ‘could’.
- ‘May’ changes to ‘might’.
- ‘Will’ changes to ‘would’.
- ‘Shall’ changes to ‘should’.
Direct: She said, “I can play the piano.” Indirect: She said that she could play the piano.
Direct: He said, “I will go shopping.” Indirect: He said that he would go shopping.
Reporting Orders, Requests, and Questions
When reporting orders, requests, and questions, the structure also changes. The following is the structure:
- ‘To’ + infinitive for orders.
- Interrogative word + subject + verb for questions.
- Could/Would + subject + verb for polite requests.
Direct: He said to her, “Close the door.” Indirect: He told her to close the door.
Direct: She asked, “Where is the station?” Indirect: She asked where the station was.
In conclusion, reported speech becomes easier to understand and use effectively with practice. Understanding the transition from direct to indirect speech is vital to expressing yourself accurately and professionally, especially in written English. This guide provides the foundational information for mastering the changes in indirect speech. Practice these rules to become more fluent and confident in your English communication skills.
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Reported Speech in English Grammar
Direct speech, changing the tense (backshift), no change of tenses, question sentences, demands/requests, expressions with who/what/how + infinitive, typical changes of time and place.
- Lingolia Plus English
Introduction
In English grammar, we use reported speech to say what another person has said. We can use their exact words with quotation marks , this is known as direct speech , or we can use indirect speech . In indirect speech , we change the tense and pronouns to show that some time has passed. Indirect speech is often introduced by a reporting verb or phrase such as ones below.
Learn the rules for writing indirect speech in English with Lingoliaâs simple explanation. In the exercises, you can test your grammar skills.
When turning direct speech into indirect speech, we need to pay attention to the following points:
- changing the pronouns Example: He said, â I saw a famous TV presenter.â He said (that) he had seen a famous TV presenter.
- changing the information about time and place (see the table at the end of this page) Example: He said, âI saw a famous TV presenter here yesterday .â He said (that) he had seen a famous TV presenter there the day before .
- changing the tense (backshift) Example: He said, âShe was eating an ice-cream at the table where you are sitting .â He said (that) she had been eating an ice-cream at the table where I was sitting .
If the introductory clause is in the simple past (e.g. He said ), the tense has to be set back by one degree (see the table). The term for this in English is backshift .
The verbs could, should, would, might, must, neednât, ought to, used to normally do not change.
If the introductory clause is in the simple present , however (e.g. He says ), then the tense remains unchanged, because the introductory clause already indicates that the statement is being immediately repeated (and not at a later point in time).
In some cases, however, we have to change the verb form.
When turning questions into indirect speech, we have to pay attention to the following points:
- As in a declarative sentence, we have to change the pronouns, the time and place information, and set the tense back ( backshift ).
- Instead of that , we use a question word. If there is no question word, we use whether / if instead. Example: She asked him, â How often do you work?â â She asked him how often he worked. He asked me, âDo you know any famous people?â â He asked me if/whether I knew any famous people.
- We put the subject before the verb in question sentences. (The subject goes after the auxiliary verb in normal questions.) Example: I asked him, â Have you met any famous people before?â â I asked him if/whether he had met any famous people before.
- We donât use the auxiliary verb do for questions in indirect speech. Therefore, we sometimes have to conjugate the main verb (for third person singular or in the simple past ). Example: I asked him, âWhat do you want to tell me?â â I asked him what he wanted to tell me.
- We put the verb directly after who or what in subject questions. Example: I asked him, â Who is sitting here?â â I asked him who was sitting there.
We donât just use indirect questions to report what another person has asked. We also use them to ask questions in a very polite manner.
When turning demands and requests into indirect speech, we only need to change the pronouns and the time and place information. We donât have to pay attention to the tenses â we simply use an infinitive .
If it is a negative demand, then in indirect speech we use not + infinitive .
To express what someone should or can do in reported speech, we leave out the subject and the modal verb and instead we use the construction who/what/where/how + infinitive.
Say or Tell?
The words say and tell are not interchangeable. say = say something tell = say something to someone
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100 Reported Speech Examples: How To Change Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of communicating what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. For example, if your friend said, â I am going to the store ,â in reported speech, you might convey this as, â My friend said he was going to the store. â Reported speech is common in both spoken and written language, especially in storytelling, news reporting, and everyday conversations.
Reported speech can be quite challenging for English language learners because in order to change direct speech into reported speech, one must change the perspective and tense of what was said by the original speaker or writer. In this guide, we will explain in detail how to change direct speech into indirect speech and provide lots of examples of reported speech to help you understand. Here are the key aspects of converting direct speech into reported speech.
Reported Speech: Changing Pronouns
Pronouns are usually changed to match the perspective of the person reporting the speech. For example, âIâ in direct speech may become âheâ or âsheâ in reported speech, depending on the context. Here are some example sentences:
- Direct : âI am going to the park.â Reported : He said he was going to the park .
- Direct : âYou should try the new restaurant.â Reported : She said that I should try the new restaurant.
- Direct : âWe will win the game.â Reported : They said that they would win the game.
- Direct : âShe loves her new job.â Reported : He said that she loves her new job.
- Direct : âHe canât come to the party.â Reported : She said that he couldnât come to the party.
- Direct : âIt belongs to me.â Reported : He said that it belonged to him .
- Direct : âThey are moving to a new city.â Reported : She said that they were moving to a new city.
- Direct : âYou are doing a great job.â Reported : He told me that I was doing a great job.
- Direct : âI donât like this movie.â Reported : She said that she didnât like that movie.
- Direct : âWe have finished our work.â Reported : They said that they had finished their work.
- Direct : âYou will need to sign here.â Reported : He said that I would need to sign there.
- Direct : âShe can solve the problem.â Reported : He said that she could solve the problem.
- Direct : âHe was not at home yesterday.â Reported : She said that he had not been at home the day before.
- Direct : âIt is my responsibility.â Reported : He said that it was his responsibility.
- Direct : âWe are planning a surprise.â Reported : They said that they were planning a surprise.
Reported Speech: Reporting Verbs
In reported speech, various reporting verbs are used depending on the nature of the statement or the intention behind the communication. These verbs are essential for conveying the original tone, intent, or action of the speaker. Here are some examples demonstrating the use of different reporting verbs in reported speech:
- Direct: âI will help you,â she promised . Reported: She promised that she would help me.
- Direct: âYou should study harder,â he advised . Reported: He advised that I should study harder.
- Direct: âI didnât take your book,â he denied . Reported: He denied taking my book .
- Direct: âLetâs go to the cinema,â she suggested . Reported: She suggested going to the cinema .
- Direct: âI love this song,â he confessed . Reported: He confessed that he loved that song.
- Direct: âI havenât seen her today,â she claimed . Reported: She claimed that she hadnât seen her that day.
- Direct: âI will finish the project,â he assured . Reported: He assured me that he would finish the project.
- Direct: âIâm not feeling well,â she complained . Reported: She complained of not feeling well.
- Direct: âThis is how you do it,â he explained . Reported: He explained how to do it.
- Direct: âI saw him yesterday,â she stated . Reported: She stated that she had seen him the day before.
- Direct: âPlease open the window,â he requested . Reported: He requested that I open the window.
- Direct: âI can win this race,â he boasted . Reported: He boasted that he could win the race.
- Direct: âIâm moving to London,â she announced . Reported: She announced that she was moving to London.
- Direct: âI didnât understand the instructions,â he admitted . Reported: He admitted that he didnât understand the instructions.
- Direct: âIâll call you tonight,â she promised . Reported: She promised to call me that night.
Reported Speech: Tense Shifts
When converting direct speech into reported speech, the verb tense is often shifted back one step in time. This is known as the âbackshiftâ of tenses. Itâs essential to adjust the tense to reflect the time elapsed between the original speech and the reporting. Here are some examples to illustrate how different tenses in direct speech are transformed in reported speech:
- Direct: âI am eating.â Reported: He said he was eating.
- Direct: âThey will go to the park.â Reported: She mentioned they would go to the park.
- Direct: âWe have finished our homework.â Reported: They told me they had finished their homework.
- Direct: âI do my exercises every morning.â Reported: He explained that he did his exercises every morning.
- Direct: âShe is going to start a new job.â Reported: He heard she was going to start a new job.
- Direct: âI can solve this problem.â Reported: She said she could solve that problem.
- Direct: âWe are visiting Paris next week.â Reported: They said they were visiting Paris the following week.
- Direct: âI will be waiting outside.â Reported: He stated he would be waiting outside.
- Direct: âThey have been studying for hours.â Reported: She mentioned they had been studying for hours.
- Direct: âI canât understand this chapter.â Reported: He complained that he couldnât understand that chapter.
- Direct: âWe were planning a surprise.â Reported: They told me they had been planning a surprise.
- Direct: âShe has to complete her assignment.â Reported: He said she had to complete her assignment.
- Direct: âI will have finished the project by Monday.â Reported: She stated she would have finished the project by Monday.
- Direct: âThey are going to hold a meeting.â Reported: She heard they were going to hold a meeting.
- Direct: âI must leave.â Reported: He said he had to leave.
Reported Speech: Changing Time and Place References
When converting direct speech into reported speech, references to time and place often need to be adjusted to fit the context of the reported speech. This is because the time and place relative to the speaker may have changed from the original statement to the time of reporting. Here are some examples to illustrate how time and place references change:
- Direct: âI will see you tomorrow .â Reported: He said he would see me the next day .
- Direct: âWe went to the park yesterday .â Reported: They said they went to the park the day before .
- Direct: âI have been working here since Monday .â Reported: She mentioned she had been working there since Monday .
- Direct: âLetâs meet here at noon.â Reported: He suggested meeting there at noon.
- Direct: âI bought this last week .â Reported: She said she had bought it the previous week .
- Direct: âI will finish this by tomorrow .â Reported: He stated he would finish it by the next day .
- Direct: âShe will move to New York next month .â Reported: He heard she would move to New York the following month .
- Direct: âThey were at the festival this morning .â Reported: She said they were at the festival that morning .
- Direct: âI saw him here yesterday.â Reported: She mentioned she saw him there the day before.
- Direct: âWe will return in a week .â Reported: They said they would return in a week .
- Direct: âI have an appointment today .â Reported: He said he had an appointment that day .
- Direct: âThe event starts next Friday .â Reported: She mentioned the event starts the following Friday .
- Direct: âI lived in Berlin two years ago .â Reported: He stated he had lived in Berlin two years before .
- Direct: âI will call you tonight .â Reported: She said she would call me that night .
- Direct: âI was at the office yesterday .â Reported: He mentioned he was at the office the day before .
Reported Speech: Question Format
When converting questions from direct speech into reported speech, the format changes significantly. Unlike statements, questions require rephrasing into a statement format and often involve the use of introductory verbs like âaskedâ or âinquiredâ. Here are some examples to demonstrate how questions in direct speech are converted into statements in reported speech:
- Direct: âAre you coming to the party?â Reported: She asked if I was coming to the party.
- Direct: âWhat time is the meeting?â Reported: He inquired what time the meeting was.
- Direct: âWhy did you leave early?â Reported: They wanted to know why I had left early.
- Direct: âCan you help me with this?â Reported: She asked if I could help her with that.
- Direct: âWhere did you buy this?â Reported: He wondered where I had bought that.
- Direct: âWho is going to the concert?â Reported: They asked who was going to the concert.
- Direct: âHow do you solve this problem?â Reported: She questioned how to solve that problem.
- Direct: âIs this the right way to the station?â Reported: He inquired whether it was the right way to the station.
- Direct: âDo you know her name?â Reported: They asked if I knew her name.
- Direct: âWhy are they moving out?â Reported: She wondered why they were moving out.
- Direct: âHave you seen my keys?â Reported: He asked if I had seen his keys.
- Direct: âWhat were they talking about?â Reported: She wanted to know what they had been talking about.
- Direct: âWhen will you return?â Reported: He asked when I would return.
- Direct: âCan she drive a manual car?â Reported: They inquired if she could drive a manual car.
- Direct: âHow long have you been waiting?â Reported: She asked how long I had been waiting.
Reported Speech: Omitting Quotation Marks
In reported speech, quotation marks are not used, differentiating it from direct speech which requires them to enclose the spoken words. Reported speech summarizes or paraphrases what someone said without the need for exact wording. Here are examples showing how direct speech with quotation marks is transformed into reported speech without them:
- Direct: âI am feeling tired,â she said. Reported: She said she was feeling tired.
- Direct: âWe will win the game,â he exclaimed. Reported: He exclaimed that they would win the game.
- Direct: âI donât like apples,â the boy declared. Reported: The boy declared that he didnât like apples.
- Direct: âYou should visit Paris,â she suggested. Reported: She suggested that I should visit Paris.
- Direct: âI will be late,â he warned. Reported: He warned that he would be late.
- Direct: âI canât believe you did that,â she expressed in surprise. Reported: She expressed her surprise that I had done that.
- Direct: âI need help with this task,â he admitted. Reported: He admitted that he needed help with the task.
- Direct: âI have never been to Italy,â she confessed. Reported: She confessed that she had never been to Italy.
- Direct: âWe saw a movie last night,â they mentioned. Reported: They mentioned that they saw a movie the night before.
- Direct: âI am learning to play the piano,â he revealed. Reported: He revealed that he was learning to play the piano.
- Direct: âYou must finish your homework,â she instructed. Reported: She instructed that I must finish my homework.
- Direct: âI will call you tomorrow,â he promised. Reported: He promised that he would call me the next day.
- Direct: âI have finished my assignment,â she announced. Reported: She announced that she had finished her assignment.
- Direct: âI cannot attend the meeting,â he apologized. Reported: He apologized for not being able to attend the meeting.
- Direct: âI donât remember where I put it,â she confessed. Reported: She confessed that she didnât remember where she put it.
Reported Speech Quiz
Thanks for reading! I hope you found these reported speech examples useful. Before you go, why not try this Reported Speech Quiz and see if you can change indirect speech into reported speech?
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Direct and Indirect Speech: The Ultimate Guide
Direct and Indirect Speech are the two ways of reporting what someone said. The use of both direct and indirect speech is crucial in effective communication and writing. Understanding the basics of direct and indirect speech is important, but mastering the advanced techniques of these two forms of speech can take your writing to the next level. In this article, we will explore direct and indirect speech in detail and provide you with a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What is Direct Speech?
Direct speech is a way of reporting what someone said using their exact words. Direct speech is typically enclosed in quotation marks to distinguish it from the writer’s own words. Here are some examples of direct speech:
- “I am going to the store,” said John.
- “I love ice cream,” exclaimed Mary.
- “The weather is beautiful today,” said Sarah.
In direct speech, the exact words spoken by the speaker are used, and the tense and pronouns used in the quote are maintained. Punctuation is also important in direct speech. Commas are used to separate the quote from the reporting verb, and full stops, question marks, or exclamation marks are used at the end of the quote, depending on the tone of the statement.
What is Indirect Speech?
Indirect speech is a way of reporting what someone said using a paraphrased version of their words. In indirect speech, the writer rephrases the speaker’s words and incorporates them into the sentence. Here are some examples of indirect speech:
- John said that he was going to the store.
- Mary exclaimed that she loved ice cream.
- Sarah said that the weather was beautiful that day.
In indirect speech, the tense and pronouns may change, depending on the context of the sentence. Indirect speech is not enclosed in quotation marks, and the use of reporting verbs is important.
Differences Between Direct and Indirect Speech
The structure of direct and indirect speech is different. Direct speech is presented in quotation marks, whereas indirect speech is incorporated into the sentence without quotation marks. The tenses and pronouns used in direct and indirect speech also differ. In direct speech, the tense and pronouns used in the quote are maintained, whereas, in indirect speech, they may change depending on the context of the sentence. Reporting verbs are also used differently in direct and indirect speech. In direct speech, they are used to introduce the quote, while in indirect speech, they are used to report what was said.
How to Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech
Converting direct speech to indirect speech involves changing the tense, pronouns, and reporting verb. Here are the steps involved in converting direct speech to indirect speech:
- Remove the quotation marks.
- Use a reporting verb to introduce the indirect speech.
- Change the tense of the verb in the quote if necessary.
- Change the pronouns if necessary.
- Use the appropriate conjunction if necessary.
Here is an example of converting direct speech to indirect speech:
Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John. Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.
How to Convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech
Converting indirect speech to direct speech involves using the same tense, pronouns, and reporting verb as the original quote. Here are the steps involved in converting indirect speech to direct speech:
- Remove the reporting verb.
- Use quotation marks to enclose the direct speech.
- Maintain the tense of the verb in the quote.
- Use the same pronouns as the original quote.
Here is an example of converting indirect speech to direct speech:
Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store. Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John.
Advanced Techniques for Using Direct and Indirect Speech
Using direct and indirect speech effectively can add depth and complexity to your writing. Here are some advanced techniques for using direct and indirect speech:
Blending Direct and Indirect Speech
Blending direct and indirect speech involves using both forms of speech in a single sentence or paragraph. This technique can create a more engaging and realistic narrative. Here is an example:
“Sarah said, ‘I can’t believe it’s already winter.’ Her friend replied that she loved the cold weather and was excited about the snowboarding season.”
In this example, direct speech is used to convey Sarah’s words, and indirect speech is used to convey her friend’s response.
Using Reported Questions
Reported questions are a form of indirect speech that convey a question someone asked without using quotation marks. Reported questions often use reporting verbs like “asked” or “wondered.” Here is an example:
“John asked if I had seen the movie last night.”
In this example, the question “Have you seen the movie last night?” is reported indirectly without using quotation marks.
Using Direct Speech to Convey Emotion
Direct speech can be used to convey emotion more effectively than indirect speech. When using direct speech to convey emotion, it’s important to choose the right tone and emphasis. Here is an example:
“She screamed, ‘I hate you!’ as she slammed the door.”
In this example, the use of direct speech and the exclamation mark convey the intense emotion of the moment.
- When should I use direct speech?
- Direct speech should be used when you want to report what someone said using their exact words. Direct speech is appropriate when you want to convey the speaker’s tone, emphasis, and emotion.
- When should I use indirect speech?
- Indirect speech should be used when you want to report what someone said using a paraphrased version of their words. Indirect speech is appropriate when you want to provide information without conveying the speaker’s tone, emphasis, or emotion.
- What are some common reporting verbs?
- Some common reporting verbs include “said,” “asked,” “exclaimed,” “whispered,” “wondered,” and “suggested.”
Direct and indirect speech are important tools for effective communication and writing. Understanding the differences between these two forms of speech and knowing how to use them effectively can take your writing to the next level. By using advanced techniques like blending direct and indirect speech and using direct speech to convey emotion, you can create engaging and realistic narratives that resonate with your readers.
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Indirect Speech: Formula and Rules
- July 3, 2021
We are talking about a very important and interesting topic. We are talking about direct and indirect speech in English and what is the correct formula of the usage.
Remember to read How to learn English with audiobooks for FREE
This topic can seem complicated at the beginning, but necessary to learn. Having this topic solved, you improve your English to a new level, so let’s start to deal with it.
What are Direct and Indirect speech?
In English, there are two ways how we can tell what another person said. Two ways you can say what someone else has said before.
- Direct Speech
- Indirect (Reported) Speech
Note : Indirect speech in different textbooks can be called differently: Indirect Speech or Reported Speech . But these two names mean the same.
Indirect Speech = Reported Speech
![how to make an indirect speech The infographic shows that there is no difference between the terms indirect speech and reported speech.](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/indirect-speech-reported-speech-1024x589.jpg)
Direct speech in English is a type of speech when we retell someone’s speech as it was. We don’t change anything.
John says: I’m a good boy.
To tell what John said, we will say:
We say: John said, “I’m a good boy.”
Indirect speech differs from direct speech in that we DO NOT tell exactly what another person said. We are NOT repeating what someone else said. Indirect speech is when we tell the MEANING of what someone else said.
We say: John said he was a good boy.
Pay attention to what this sentence looks like. Earlier, when John said this, the sentence looked like this:
I am a good boy.
But after WE retell John’s words, in the indirect speech, this sentence looks like this:
John said he was a good boy.
The Quotes and the comma that stood after the name John, separating the speaker from his direct speech, disappeared from this sentence.
In indirect speech, we do not use the separating comma and quotation marks. Because now it is WE are retelling the meaning of what the other person (John) said.
![how to make an indirect speech The rule that we don't use the comma and quotation marks in indirect speech](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/comma-and-quotation-marks-in-indirect-speech-1024x642.jpg)
In direct speech, the speaker most often speaks in the first person. That is, the speaker speaks from his person.
John will not talk about himself: John is a good boy . John will say it on his behalf: I am a good boy.
But when we retell the words of John (indirect speech), we cannot speak on his behalf. We cannot say “I am a good boy” because those are not our words. This is John a good boy.
Therefore, in indirect speech, we change “I” to the third person.
He says: I hate you but I need your help.
I retell: He said that he hated me but he needed my help.
To translate direct speech into indirect speech, we use certain rules that you should know.
Let’s take a look at these rules and formulas in order.
Quotation marks and comma
In direct speech, we use a comma to separate the speaker from what he is saying. Direct speech (what the speaker says) is in quotation marks.
When we translate direct speech into indirect speech, we remove quotes and commas.
Jessica says , “I’m from the future.”
We retell Jessica’s words: She said that she was from the future.
Personal and possessive pronouns
When translating direct speech into indirect speech, we change personal and possessive pronouns to third-person pronouns.
Direct Speech : He says, “ I couldn’t stay” Indirect Speech : He said that he couldn’t stay. Direct Speech : Tom says, “ I am deeply disturbed” Indirect Speech : Tom said that he was deeply disturbed.
Note: If in direct speech the speaker tells his own words, then we do not change personal and possessive pronouns.
Direct Speech: I said, “ I will do that” Indirect Speech: I said that I would do that.
Adverbs in direct speech
When we translate adverbs from direct speech to indirect, adverbs change their form.
You can see how adverbs look in direct speech and how adverbs look in indirect speech in this table:
![how to make an indirect speech The table shows how adverbs look in direct speech and how adverbs look in indirect speech.](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/how-adverbs-look-in-direct-speech-and-indirect-speech.jpg)
But we don’t always change adverbs this way. We change adverbs only if, when translating from direct speech into indirect speech adverbs cannot express the same meaning as in direct speech.
Take a look at an example:
Mom says, “ Tomorrow we will go to Uncle John’s.” Mom said that the next day we would go to Uncle John’s.
In these examples, we have replaced the adverb tomorrow with the next day . Because we retell Mom’s words on another day. We cannot say tomorrow anymore.
Now look at another example:
Mom says, “We went to visit Uncle John yesterday .”
Now imagine that we are retelling this the next day. We have to say:
Mom said that we went to visit Uncle John the day before yesterday .
If we said “ yesterday “, it would change the meaning of what we want to tell.
If in direct speech in the main sentence the predicate is in Past Simple, then in indirect speech we use the agreement rules.
We put the conjunction “ that ” in front of indirect speech.
Note: We may not use the conjunction that after verbs such as:
He said he found it on the island. He thought he was better than me. He knew he could call you anytime.
![how to make an indirect speech The rule says we don't use that after some verbs like to think, to know, to say](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/using-that-after-verbs-1024x600.jpg)
Prepositional object
If in direct speech after the verb to say there is a prepositional object, then in order to translate such a sentence into indirect speech, we change the verb to say to tell . In this case, tell is used without the preposition to .
Incorrect : to tell Correct : tell
This means:
She said to me ⊠changes to She told me that âŠ
Note : Remember that in this case we also change the adverbs of place and time and demonstrative pronouns, if they are in direct speech.
Modal verbs
For modals, we use several important rules.
We change modal verbs as well as main verbs when moving from direct to indirect speech.
But we do not change all modal verbs. We leave some verbs in their original form.
Let’s talk about modals in more detail.
Modal verb must
If in direct speech the verb must means an obligation or command, then in the subordinate clause in indirect speech must does NOT change and looks like must .
The teacher says, “You must behave well in class.” The teacher said that we must behave well in class.
If in direct speech the verb must expresses the need, then in the subordinate clause in indirect speech we change the verb must to had to .
Mom says, “You must visit the doctor.” Mom said that I had to visit the doctor.
The past form of Modal verbs in indirect speech
Can and could..
We change the modal verb can in direct speech to could in indirect speech. Could is the past form of the modal verb can .
She says, “I can swim.” She said that she could swim.
May and might.
We change the modal verb may in direct speech to might in indirect speech. Might is the past form of the modal verb may .
John says, “I may propose to Maria.” John said that he might propose to Maria.
Must and had to.
We change the modal verb must in direct speech to had to in indirect speech (if the verb must expresses the need). Had to is the past analog of the modal verb must .
![how to make an indirect speech Two examples of using direct and indirect speech.](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/examples-of-using-direct-and-indirect-speech-1024x604.jpg)
Modal verbs that do not change in indirect speech
The following verbs move from direct to indirect speech in their original form. They don’t change in any way.
- must (if the verb must means an obligation or command)
He says, “I could do this.” He said he could do that.
Let’s take a closer look at these verbs:
The modal verb would in direct speech remains in the form would in indirect speech too.
Mom says, “I would bake a cake.” Mom said she would bake a cake.
If we use the modal verb could in direct speech, then we do not change this verb in any way in indirect speech. Because could is a past form already (It’s the past form of the modal verb can ).
John says, “I could learn to swim” John said he could learn to swim.
The modal verb might does not change its form when we translate this verb from direct to indirect speech. Because the modal might is the past form of the modal may .
He says, “I might ask the same question again”. He said that he might ask the same question again.
We do not change should when switching to indirect speech. Because should is considered the past form of the modal verb shall .
He says, “We should see Mr. Gannon” He said that we should see Mr. Gannon.
We do not change the modal verb OUGHT TO when translating this verb into indirect speech.
She says, “You ought to be angry with John” She said that I ought to be angry with John
Exceptions to the rules
Let’s talk about the important exceptions to the rules of this lesson.
- We can exclude the word that out of affirmative sentences in indirect speech. Because in indirect speech in affirmative sentences, the meaning of the sentence does not change, regardless of whether we use that or not.
He said ( that ) he thought you seemed depressed. He said ( that ) there was no need. He said ( that ) he had many friends.
- If in direct speech we are talking about a specific event that happened at exactly the specified time and did not happen anymore, then we translate the sentence into indirect speech without the agreement.
He says, “Gagarin went to space in 1961.” He said that Gagarin went to space in 1961.
The event that we are talking about in this example happened at exactly the specified time and did not happen anymore.
![how to make an indirect speech Rule and Two examples of using direct and indirect speech.](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rules-and-examples-of-using-direct-and-indirect-speech-2-1024x533.jpg)
- If in direct speech we use verbs such as:
then when translating into indirect speech, we do not change the form of these verbs. These verbs remain in their form.
She says, “We might find some treasure” She said that we might find some treasure.
He says, “I should do it”. He said that he should do it.
- If indirect speech begins with the verb say or tell which is used in the form:
- Present Simple
- Present Perfect
- Future Simple
then we translate such a sentence into indirect speech without changing the tense to the past:
She says, “I cook deliciously.” She says that she cooks deliciously. He says, âI have a new smartphone.â He says that he has a new smartphone. She will say, âI didn’t know it.â He will say (that) he didn’t know it.
- If in direct speech we are talking about a well-known fact or law of nature, then we do not transfer to the past such a fact or the law of nature when translating from direct speech to indirect.
He says, “After winter comes spring.” He said that after winter comes spring. She says, “Lions don’t hunt camels.” She said that lions don’t hunt camels.
- If in direct speech we use tenses:
- Past Continuous
- Past Perfect
- Past Perfect Continuous
then when translating into indirect speech, we do not change the sentence, we do not translate the sentence into the past.
He says, “I had fixed my car.” He said he had fixed his car. He says, “I was skiing .” He said he was skiing . He says, “I had been all alone for a very long time”. He said that he had been all alone for a very long time.
Interrogative (question) sentences in indirect speech
Look at the following rules and nuances to know how to correctly translate interrogative (question) sentences from direct speech to indirect speech:
- When we translate a general question into indirect speech, we put one of the conjunctions between the main sentence and the question:
He asks, “Do you play dominoes?” He asked if I played dominoes. He asked whether I played dominoes.
![how to make an indirect speech The use of conjunctions if and whether](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/conjunctions-if-and-whether-1024x490.jpg)
- If we translate an interrogative sentence from direct speech to indirect speech, then we change the interrogative word order to direct word order.
We remove the auxiliary verb that was used in the interrogative sentence. We put the subject before the predicate as it should be for the direct word order.
He asks, “Where are you going?” He asked where I was going.
- If in an indirect sentence we ask a question using the verb say and if there is no indirect object in the main sentence, then we change the verb say to one of these words:
- want to know
She asks, “Where you are?” She wanted to know where you were.
- When translating an interrogative sentence from direct speech into indirect speech, we change all pronouns, verbs, adverbs of place, adverbs of time.
She asks, “What do these letters mean?” She asked what those letters mean.
Special questions in indirect speech
Special questions (or Wh-questions) are questions that begin with an additional, question word.
In indirect speech, such a question should also begin with a question word.
This question word also serves as conjunction. This word attaches the question part to the main sentence.
In the question part, we use direct word order.
At the same time, we comply with all the rules for the Sequence of tenses.
My dad asks, “What do you plan to do with yourself?” My dad asked what I planned to do with myself.
Imperative sentences in indirect speech
When translating imperative sentences from direct to indirect speech, we must take into account several nuances:
- Orders in indirect speech look like this:
He said, “ Go now!” He said to go then. She says, “ Carry my bag” She asked to carry her bag.
We use the verb to say when we translate an ordinary sentence into indirect speech. But in imperative sentences, we change the verb to say to a verb that expresses an order or request:
She says , “Carry my bag” She asked to carry her bag.
![how to make an indirect speech The infographic shows how we use imperative sentences in indirect speech](https://topenglishgrammar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/imperative-sentences-in-indirect-speech-1024x630.jpg)
- In direct speech in the imperative mood, we often use:
let’s (let us)
let’s encourage the speaker and the person to do something together.
In indirect speech, we change let’s to to suggest . For example:
She says, “ let’s do that!” She suggested to do that.
- In indirect speech, we put a noun after the verb that expresses an order or request. The noun is the one to whom this request or order is addressed. Then we use the infinitive.
She says, “Replace him, John “ She asked John to replace him.
- We can strengthen the request or order in indirect speech if we add verbs such as:
- to recommend
- to urge etc.
She says , “Read this book” She ordered ( advised, recommend ) me to read that book.
- In order to make a negative imperative sentence in direct speech, we need:
not + infinitive
He says, “Don’t cry.” He said to me not to cry.
- In direct speech, we often do not name the person to whom the order or request is addressed. But when translating an imperative sentence from direct speech to indirect speech, we must indicate the one to whom the order or request is addressed.
For this, we use a noun or a pronoun.
She says, “Speak to him!” She asked me to speak to you.
Present and future tense in indirect speech
Most often, we translate the future and the present into the past.
He says, “I have two brothers” He says that he had two brothers She says, “I do this every time” She says that he did that every day. He says, “I write books” He says that he wrote books. She says, “I am reading” She said that she was reading. He says, “I can swim” He said that he could swim. He says, “I will help you” He said that he would help me.
Past tense in indirect speech
When we translate a sentence written in the past into indirect speech, we can leave it unchanged or we can change the past to the Past Perfect.
He says, “I saw this movie” He said that he saw that movie. He said that he had seen that movie.
What if in direct speech the main verb is already in Past Perfect?
In this case, the verb in Past Perfect remains unchanged. The verb in Past Perfect in direct speech remains in Past Perfect in indirect speech too.
He says, “I had bought I new house” He said that he had bought a new house.
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Recommended reading: Complex Sentence in English.
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- English Grammar
- Reported Speech
Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples
Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.
![how to make an indirect speech how to make an indirect speech](https://cdn1.byjus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/direct-indirect-speech-in-under-15-mins.jpg)
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Table of Contents
Definition of reported speech, rules to be followed when using reported speech, table 1 – change of pronouns, table 2 – change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time, table 3 – change of tense, table 4 – change of modal verbs, tips to practise reported speech, examples of reported speech, check your understanding of reported speech, frequently asked questions on reported speech in english, what is reported speech.
Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.
Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.
Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learnerâs Dictionary, is defined as âa report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.â The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as âspeech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.â According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as âthe act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.â The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as âthe words that you use to report what someone else has said.â
Reported speech is a little different from direct speech . As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.
- The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
- You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.
- You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence , you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by âthatâ and end the sentence with a full stop . When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark . In case you are reporting imperative sentences , you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences , you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark . Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
- Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure , tense , pronouns , modal verbs , some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.
Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech
As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.
Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.
- Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
- Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.
- Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.
Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.
- Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
- Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
- Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
- The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.
- Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
- Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
- Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
- Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
- The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
- Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.
Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.
1. Rachel said, âI have an interview tomorrow.â
2. Mahesh said, âWhat is he doing?â
3. Sherly said, âMy daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.â
4. Dinesh said, âIt is a wonderful movie!â
5. Suresh said, âMy son is getting married next month.â
6. Preetha said, âCan you please help me with the invitations?â
7. Anna said, âI look forward to meeting you.â
8. The teacher said, âMake sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.â
9. Sylvester said, âI am not going to cry anymore.â
10. Jade said, âMy sister is moving to Los Angeles.â
Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.
1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.
2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.
3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.
4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.
5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.
6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.
7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.
8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.
9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.
10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.
What is reported speech?
What is the definition of reported speech.
Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learnerâs Dictionary, is defined as âa report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.â The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as âspeech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the personâs actual words.â According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as âthe act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.â The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as âthe words that you use to report what someone else has said.â
What is the formula of reported speech?
You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech. Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)
Give some examples of reported speech.
Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.
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Easy Insightful Literature Notes
Transformation of Sentence: Direct & Indirect Speech
A direct speech can be transformed into an indirect speech and vice versa using a suitable reporting verb and a linker depending on the sentence. Letâs have an example first.
- Tina said to me, âAre you busy now?â [direct speech]
- Tina asked me whether I was busy then. [indirect speech]
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech
- Look, if the reporting verb in direct speech (said) is in past tense, the reporting verb in indirect speech (asked) would also be in past tense. âWhetherâ is the linker added here as it is a âyes-noâ type question (Refer to list 1 below).
- âAreâ changes to âwasâ. As the reporting verb was in past tense, the verb in the reported speech will also be in past. (Refer to list 2 below)
- âNowâ has become âthenâ. Time and place expressions change if the reporting verb is in past tense. (Refer to list 3 below)
- The question mark (?) has changed to a full stop(.).
- Another important thing, the format of question (v + s + o) has changed to the format of a statement (s + v + o). In indirect speech the pattern always comes to subject + verb + object.
List of Reporting verbs and linkers (list 1)
Verbs of Reported speech (if the reporting verb is in past tense) (list 2) Direct speech â Indirect speech Am / is / are â Â was / were Was / were â had been Has / have â had Had â had had Shall / will â would Can â could May â might Must, should â must, should Verb1 â verb2 Verb2 â had + verb3
Change of time and place expressions in past tense (list 3) now â then ago â before today â that day yesterday â the previous day tomorrow â the next day last night â the previous night here â there this â that these â those
Narration change of Assertive sentence
- Robin said, âI went to Delhi yesterday.â â Robin said that he had gone to Delhi the previous day .
- She said to her husband, âI want to go with you.â â She told her husband that she wanted to go with him.
Narration change of Interrogative sentence
- He said to me, âDo you know English?â â He asked me whether I knew English.
- She said to me, âDid you go there?â â She wanted to know whether I had gone there.
- I said to him, âWhat are you doing?â â I asked him what he was doing.
- Rahul said to his mother, âHow do you do all these things together?â â Rahul asked his mother how she did all those things together.
Narration change of Imperative sentence
- He said to me, âGo there right now.â â He ordered me to go there right then.
- My teacher said to me, âObey your parents.â â My teacher asked me to obey my parents.
- She said to me, âPlease donât go there.â â She requested me not to go there.
- He said to her, âLetâs go home.â â He suggested her that they should go home.
- His mother said, âLet him eat whatever he likes.â â His mother suggested that he might be allowed to eat whatever he liked.
Narration change of Optative sentence
- He said to the boy, âMay god bless you.â â He prayed that God might bless the boy.
- The girl said, âHad I the wings of a dove.â â The girl wished that she had the wings of a dove.
Narration change of Exclamatory sentence
- âHow happy we are here!â said the children. â The children exclaimed in joy that they were very happy there.
- The children said, âHow happy we were there!â â The children exclaimed in sorrow that they had been very happy there.
- He said to me, âGood bye!â â He bade me good bye.
- She said to me, âGood evening!ââShe wished me good evening.
Narration change of Vocatives
- Teacher said, â Robin , stand up.â â Teacher asked Robin to stand up.
- The Bishop said to the convict, âAlways remember, my son , that the poor body is the temple of the living God.â â The Bishop addressed the convict as his son and advised him to always remember that the poor body is the temple of the living God.
Narration change of question tag
- He said to me, âYou went to Kolkata, didnât you?â â He asked me whether I had gone to Kolkata and assumed that I had.
- I said to him, âTina didnât tell a lie, did she?â â I asked him if Tina had told a lie and assumed that she had not.
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19 Direct and Indirect Speech Rules Examples (Updated 2025)
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Have you ever struggled with the rules of direct and indirect speech? Youâre not alone. These forms of speech can be challenging, but mastering them is crucial for clear and effective communication, especially for school students, ESL learners, and those preparing for competitive exams.
Understanding direct and indirect speech conversion rules is crucial for clear and accurate communication and the conversion between direct and indirect speech will significantly enhance your language skills.
This informative article will explore these Direct and Indirect Speech Rules for Conversion with detailed examples.
Understanding Direct Speech
Direct speech is a form of reporting that presents someoneâs exact words without any alterations. It is commonly enclosed in quotation marks, allowing readers to see the speakerâs statements precisely as they were uttered.
1. Key Elements of Direct Speech
a . Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are your best friends here. They compress the exact words spoken by a person.
b. Punctuation Placement
Punctuation is crucial. Commas , periods , question marks , and exclamation points all have their specific places within the quotation marks.
c. Speaker Tags
Speaker tags like âhe saidâ or âshe exclaimedâ are often used to indicate who is speaking. These can be placed before , after , or even in the middle of the quoted speech.
2. E xamples of Direct Speech
a. Basic Examples
Consider this simple example:
- Ritu said, âI am going to the store.â
Here, the exact words of Ritu are presented within quotation marks.
b. Complex Examples
Now, letâs add more complexity:
- âI canât believe it,â she whispered, âbut I saw a unicorn in the garden.â
Notice how the sentence is split into two parts, but both are still within quotation marks.
For a better understanding of Direct Narration
![how to make an indirect speech Understanding Direct Narration for Direct and Indirect Speech Rules.](https://www.approachenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/direct-speech-rules.jpeg)
âI shall not go to school,â are the exact words of Riya, enclosed in quotation marks/inverted commas (ââŠ.â). This format, which uses commas and quotation marks/inverted commas, is called direct speech . In this sentence, âRiyaâ is the subject or speaker, âsaysâ is the reporting verb, and âI shall not go to schoolâ is the reported speech.
Understanding Indirect Speech
Indirect speech , on the other hand, involves paraphrasing someoneâs words and reporting them indirectly, without using quotation marks. It requires a few changes in structure, such as tense and pronoun shifts. Letâs convert the previous example of direct speech into indirect speech:
1. Key Elements of Indirect Speech
a. Removing Quotation Marks
Unlike direct speech, indirect speech doesnât require quotation marks. Youâre paraphrasing what was said.
b. Changing Pronouns
Pronouns often need to be changed to fit the new context. For instance, âIâ becomes âheâ or âshe.â
c. Adjusting Tenses
Tenses usually shift back when converting to indirect speech. Present tense often turns into past tense.
d. Modifying Time Expressions
Time expressions like âtodayâ or âtomorrowâ also change to maintain the timeline consistency.
2. Examples of Indirect Speech
Basic Examples
Hereâs a simple conversion:
- Direct: John said, âI am going to the store.â
- Indirect: John said that he was going to the store.
Complex Examples
For a more complex sentence:
- Direct: âI canât believe it,â she whispered, âbut I saw a unicorn in the garden.â
- Indirect: She whispered that she couldnât believe it but that she had seen a unicorn in the garden.
For a clear concept of Indirect Narration
![how to make an indirect speech Indirect narration of Direct and Indirect Speech Rules.](https://www.approachenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/indirect-speech-rules-2.jpg)
Similarly, we can report the above sentence without quoting Riyaâs exact words while keeping the meaning the same. This format is called indirect speech. In this format, no commas or quotation marks/inverted commas are used; only a full stop (.) is used at the end of the sentence.
Difference between direct and indirect speech rules
The following comparison highlights the key differences between direct and indirect speech rules, including punctuation, tense changes, and adjustments to pronouns and time references.
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Direct and Indirect Speech Rules: Essential for Learners
Discover the essential rules of direct and indirect speech with a variety of examples to improve your language skills. Effortlessly understand the intricacies of converting statements, questions, and commands from one form to another.
Understanding direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication, for learners. Here, we have outlined the essential rules you need to know.
A. Reporting Verbs Rules B. Tenses Rules C. Pronouns Rules D. Punctuation Marks Rules E. Modals and Conditional Rules F. Modifying Words Rules
A. Direct and Indirect Speech Rules for Reporting Verbs
Different reporting verbs are used to introduce indirect speech. The choice of reporting verb can convey the speakerâs attitude towards the reported speech.
Changes in reporting verbs according to tense are one of the most important rules for converting direct speech into indirect speech.
Remember: If the reporting verbs are in the present or future tense, the tense of the verb in the reported speech is not changed .
Remember: If the reporting verbs are in the past tense , the tense of the verb in the reported speech will be in the corresponding past tense.
Here are some commonly used reporting verbs:
Rule 1: Reporting verbs rules for â Say â and â Tell â.
âSayâ and âtellâ are two frequently used reporting verbs. âSayâ is generally followed by the reported speech, while âtellâ is followed by the indirect object (the person being addressed).
Direct: He says , âI am your friend.â Indirect: He says that he is your friend.
Direct: He said to me, âIâm going to the store.â Indirect: She told me that he was going to the store.
Reporting verbs âSayâ and âTellâ Chart
Rule 2: â ask â and â inquireâ are used as reporting verbs..
When reporting questions , â ask â and â inquire â are commonly employed reporting verbs.
Direct: He said to me, âWhere are you going?â Indirect: He asked where I was going.
Direct: She said , âWhen will the concert start?â Indirect: She inquired, âWhen will the concert start?â
Direct: Sarah said , âWhat time does the movie start?â Indirect: Sarah asked what time the movie started.
Direct: âCould you please provide more details?â she said to me. Indirect: She inquired politely if I could provide more details.
Direct: The customer said , âDo you have this item in stock?â Indirect: The customer i nquired if that item had in stock.
Rule 3: Reporting Verb rules for â Request â, â Advise â, â Order â, and â Beg â.
To report imperative sentences, âRequestâ, âAdviseâ, âOrderâ, and âbegâ are often used.
Direct: âPlease close the door,â she said . Indirect: She requested that the door be closed.
Direct: âYou should study regularly,â he said. Indirect: He advised that regular studying should be done.
Direct: âStand up straight,â the sergeant said . Indirect: The sergeant ordered that they stand up straight.
Direct: He said to me, âGo home at onceâ Indirect: He ordered me to go home at once.
Direct: She said , âDo not run in the sunâ Indirect: She advised not to run in the sun.â
Direct: âPlease forgive me,â she said. Indirect: She begged for forgiveness.
B. Tenses Rules for Direct and Indirect Speech
The second most important rule is the changes of Tenses for converting direct speech to indirect speech. When transforming direct speech into indirect speech, there are specific rules to follow regarding tense changes:
Rule 4: If the reporting verb is in the present tense ,
If the Reporting Verb is in the Present Tense , there is no change in the tense in the Reported Verb when Direct Speech is converted into Indirect Narration.
Direct: Arnab says , âThe room is dark.â Indirect: Arnab says that the room is dark.
Direct: Arnab says , âThe room was dark.â Indirect: Arnab says that the room was dark.
Direct: Arnab says , âI shall finish the work.â Indirect: Arnab says that he will finish the work.
Direct: Mary says , âI am going to the party.â Indirect: Mary says that she is going to the party.
Direct: He tells us, âI will finish the project by tomorrow.â Indirect: He tells us that he will finish the project by tomorrow.
Rule 5: If the reporting verb is in the future tense ,
If the Reporting Verb is in the Future Tense , there is no change in the tense in the Reported Verb when Direct Speech is converted into Indirect Narration.
Direct: Sarah will say , âI am going to the store.â Indirect: Sarah will say that she is going to the store.
Direct: John will say, âI have completed the assignment.â Indirect: John will say that he has completed the assignment.
Direct: Arnab will say, âThe room is dark.â Indirect: Arnab will say that the room is dark.
Direct: Arnab will say , âThe room was dark.â Indirect: Arnab will say that the room was dark.
Direct: Arnab will say, âI shall finish the work.â Indirect: Arnab will say that he will finish the work.
Rule 6: If the reporting verb is in the past tense ,
If the Reporting verb of the Direct Narration is in the Past Tense , the Present Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech of Direct Narration is changed into the corresponding Past Tense in Indirect Narration .
Direct: Rohan said , âShe works hard.â Indirect: Rohan said that she worked hard.
Direct: Rohan said, âShe is singing a song.â Indirect: Rohan said that she was singing a song.
Direct: The guest said shouting, âWe have arrived .â Indirect: The guest shouted that they had arrived.
Direct: My sister said , âIt has been raining hard for 3 daysâ. Indirect: My sister said that it had been raining hard for 3 days.
Direct: Father said, âI visited the Taj yesterday.â Indirect: Father said that he had visited the Taj the previous day.
Direct: The boys said, âThey were traveling in the park.â Indirect: The boys said that they had been traveling in the park.
Direct: The reporters commented , âThe Kohinoor had been lost long agoâ. Indirect: The reporters commented that the Kohinoor had been lost long ago.
Direct: Jyotsna said, â She had been doing the work for 3 hoursâ. Indirect: Jyotsna said that she had been doing the work for 3 hours.
Rule: 7 If the reported speech implies Universal Truth or Habitual Fact or Scientific Truth ,
The Tense of the Verb remains unchanged in Indirect Narration in cases of General Statements of Facts , Universal Truths , Commonplace Occurrences , and Habitual or Repeated Actions . No real change occurs in these cases. Only there will be present Tense alone.
Direct: The boy said to his mother, â The sun rises in the Eastâ. Indirect: The boy told his mother that the sun rises in the East. [ Universal Truth ]
Direct: The monk answered , â Man is mortalâ. Indirect: The monk answered that man is mortal. [ Universal Truth ]
Direct: The teacher told the students, â Perseverance always leads to success.â Indirect: The teacher told the students that perseverance always leads to success.
3. Direct and Indirect Speech R ules for Pronouns
There are certain rules to follow regarding the changes of pronouns from direct speech to indirect speech:
Rule 8: Personal Pronouns (I, We, You, He, She, They) Rules
First person.
(a) If the subject of the reported speech of direct form is in the first person, the subject of the reported speech will be replaced by the subject of the reporting verb in indirect form, but the number must be the same. [ singular > singular and plural > plural ]
Direct: She says, â I am ill today.â Indirect: She says that she is ill that day.
![how to make an indirect speech](https://www.approachenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/direct-indirect-speech-rules-change-of-1st-person.jpeg)
Second Person
(b) If the subject of the reported speech in the Direct Form is in the second person, the subject of the reported speech will be replaced by the object of the reporting verb in the indirect form, but the number must be the same. [ singular > singular and plural > plural ]
Direct: He says to me , â You can do this work.â Indirect: He tells me that I can do that work.
![how to make an indirect speech](https://www.approachenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/direct-indirect-speech-rules-change-of-2nd-person.jpeg)
Third Person
(c) If the subject of the reported speech of Direct Form is in the third person, there will be no change in the person of the Indirect Form.
Direct: I said, â He will not wait for his friend.â Indirect: I said that he would not wait for his friend.
![how to make an indirect speech](https://www.approachenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/direct-indirect-speech-rules-change-of-3rd-person.jpeg)
Pronouns Chart : direct and indirect speech rules
Rule 9: demonstrative pronouns ( this, that ) rules.
In the case of demonstrative pronouns, replace them with appropriate pronouns in indirect speech.
Direct: â This is my book,â she said. Indirect: She said that this was her book.
4. Direct and Indirect Speech ( Punctuation and Quotation Marks ) Rules
Understanding how to punctuate and use quotation marks correctly is crucial when dealing with direct and indirect speech. Here are some guidelines:
Rule 10: Comma with Reporting Verb Rules
When introducing indirect speech with a reporting verb, use a comma to separate the reporting verb from the reported speech.
Example: She said, âIâll be there on time.â
Rule 11: Question Mark to Full Stop Rules
If the direct speech is a question, change the question mark to a full stop when converting to indirect speech.
Direct: He asked, âAre you coming to the party?â Indirect: He asked if I was coming to the party.
Rule 12: Exclamation Mark to Full Stop Rules
In cases where the direct speech has an exclamation mark, replace it with a full stop in indirect speech.
Direct: She exclaimed, âWhat a beautiful day!â Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
E. Direct to Indirect Speech Conversion Rules : Modals and Conditional Sentences
Indirect speech involving modals and conditional sentences requires careful attention to maintain accuracy:
Rule 13: Rules of Modals in Indirect Speech
When dealing with modals like can, could, will, would, may, might, shall, should, must, etc., use the appropriate past form in indirect speech.
Direct: She said, âYou should respect your elders. Indirect: She said that I should respect my elders.
Direct: She said, âI can speak French fluently. Indirect: She said that she could speak French fluently.
Direct: May I borrow your pen?â she asked. Indirect: She asked if she might borrow my pen.
Direct: He said, âYou must complete the assignment by tomorrow. Indirect: He said that I must complete the assignment by the next day.
Rule 14: Conditional Sentences in Indirect Speech Rules
In indirect speech, conditional sentences undergo specific changes, especially when they involve âwillâ or âwould.â
Direct: He said, âI will help you.â Indirect: He said that he would help me.
Direct: He said, âI will help you with your project Indirect: He said that he would help me with my project.
F. Direct and Indirect Speech Rules: ( Modifying Words â Time, Place, Manner )
Adding modifying words or phrases can alter the meaning of the reported speech:
Rule 15: Reporting with Adverbs of Time
When using adverbs of time in indirect speech, adjust them to match the new timeframe.
Direct: âI will come tomorrow,â she said. Indirect: She said that she would come the next day.
Rule 16: Reporting with Adverbs of Place
Similar to adverbs of time, adverbs of place need modification in indirect speech.
Direct: â I live here,â he said. Indirect: He said that he lived there.
Rule 17: Reporting with Adverbs of Manner
We can also use Adverbs of manner in indirect speech, requiring appropriate adjustments.
Direct: âHe ran quickly,â she said. Indirect: She said that he ran quickly.
Time, Place, Manner, Distance, Direction Chart: Direct and Indirect Speech Rules
In Indirect Narration, words denoting Time, Place, Manner, Distance, and Direction used in the quoted speech are correspondingly changed to conform to the point of view of the Reporter. Thus, the sense of nearness is changed into that of Distance, and so on.
Place Chart
Manner chart, distance chart, direction chart, direct and indirect speech advanced rules.
It is necessary to know about the Direct Indirect Speech Advanced Rules to change the mode of narration from direct to indirect speech of different sentences. All five sentences of Direct Indirect Speech Conversion Rules are shown with proper examples below.
A. Assertive Sentence Conversion Rules
To convert Assertive sentences into indirect speech the following rules are applied.
(a) No comma and Inverted comma in Indirect Speech, only full stop at the end. (b) Reporting Verbs changed from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech ; âsay â sayâ, âsays â saysâ, âsaid â saidâ, âsaid to â toldâ, âsay to â tellâ, âsays to â tellsâ. (c) Connective âthatâ added before Reported Speech in indirect Narration.
Direct: He said to me, âI am ill.â Indirect: He told me that he was ill.
Direct: Mary said, âI am happy with my results.â Indirect: Mary said that she was happy with her results.
Direct: Tom said, âI will attend the meeting tomorrow.â Indirect: Tom said that he would attend the meeting the next day.
Direct: Alice said, âI have finished my homework.â Indirect: Alice said that she had finished her homework.
Direct: David said, âWe are planning a trip to the mountains.â Indirect: David said that they were planning a trip to the mountains.
B. Interrogative sentences Conversion rules
Forming indirect speech with questions necessitates some adjustments:
a. Reporting Yes/No Questions rules
When reporting yes/no questions, use âifâ or âwhetherâ and invert the subject and auxiliary verb in indirect speech.
Direct: John asked, âAre you coming to the party?â Indirect: John asked if I was coming to the party.
Direct: Sarah asked, âDo you like chocolate?â Indirect: Sarah asked if I liked chocolate.
Direct: Mike asked, âHave you finished your project?â Indirect: Mike asked if I had finished my project.
Direct: Emma asked, âWill you help me with my homework?â Indirect: Emma asked if I would help her with her homework.
Direct: âWill you be there?â he asked. Indirect: He asked if I would be there.
b. Reporting Wh-Questions rules
For reporting wh-questions, maintain the question word and adjust the word order in indirect speech.
(a) âTellâ and âsayâ in Direct Narration are changed to âaskâ, âenquire ofâ, âquestionâ, âwant to knowâ etc. in Indirect Narration. (b) In place of introductory âthatâ. âifâ or âwhetherâ should be used. (c) In Indirect Narration a full stop (.) must be put in place of a question mark(?) at the end of the sentence. (d) In Direct Narration the Reported Speech begins with W-word or how, in Indirect Narration the same Wh-word or how is retained.
Direct: Lisa asked, âWhere are you going?â Indirect: Lisa asked where I was going.
Direct: Mark asked, âWhat time does the movie start?â Indirect: Mark asked what time the movie started.
Direct: Jennifer asked, âWhy did you leave early?â Indirect: Jennifer asked why I had left early.
Direct: Tom asked, âHow do you solve this problem?â Indirect: Tom asked how I solved that problem.
Direct: âWhere are you going?â she asked. Indirect: She asked where I was going.
Direct: The teacher said to me, âWhy are you late?â Indirect: The teacher asked me why I was late.
C. Imperative Sentences Conversion rules
The indirect speech also involves reporting imperatives, which are commands, requests, or advice:
Reporting Commands
When reporting commands, use the reporting verb âtellâ and change the imperative verb to the corresponding infinitive.
Direct: The teacher said, âOpen your books.â Indirect: The teacher told the students to open their books.
Reporting Requests
For reporting requests, employ the reporting verb âaskâ and convert the imperative verb to the corresponding infinitive.
Direct: She said, âPlease help me with this.â Indirect: She asked for help with that.
(a) Reporting verbs of Direct Speech changed into order or command, advise, or request according to sense in Indirect Speech. (b) âToâ is placed before Reported speech in Indirect Narration; for the negative imperative sentence ânot toâ is used. (c) ânot toâ can also be replaced by âforbidâ, or âprohibitâ. (d) âLetâ implies âsuggestionâ or âproposalâ; Reporting verb will be âsuggestâ or âproposeâ in Indirect Speech. âthatâ is used before Reported speech in Indirect Narration (e) âLetâ without âsuggestionâ or âproposalâ; Reporting verb will be âtellâ, or âwishâ according to sense in Indirect Speech. âthatâ is used before Reported speech in Indirect Narration.
Direct: Mother said to me, âDonât run in the sun.â Indirect: Mother advised me not to run in the sun.
Direct: She said to me, âLet us go for a picnic.â Indirect: She suggested that we should go for a picnic.
D. Optative Sentence Conversion rules
The following rules are used to change an optative sentence from direct speech to indirect speech
(a) Reporting verbs changed to â wish â, â prayâ , and â bless â in Indirect Speech. (b) Linker, â that â is placed before Reported speech in Indirect Narration.
Direct: The monk said to me, â May God bless you.â Indirect: The monk wished that God might bless me.
E. Exclamatory Sentences Conversion rules
(a) The reporting verb is changed into exclaim (in joy), exclaim (in grief), cried out (in sorrow), pray, wish, etc. (b) Examinations are turned into statements. (c) Interjections (Alas, Oh, Hurrah) are omitted. (d) âWhatâ, and âHowâ used in exclamation should be replaced by great, great, very, very much, and big.
Direct: The boys said, âHurrah! we have won the match.â Indirect: The boy exclaimed in joy that they had won the match.
Solved Exercises Direct and Indirect Speech
Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
Q: Ratan said to Anita, âI donât like your brotherâ.
Ans: Ratan told Anita that she did not like her brother.
Q: The hermit said to the boys, âGod is present everywhere.â
Ans: The hermit told the boys that God is present everywhere.
Q: :He said to you, âYou shouldnât play in my garden.â
Ans: He told you that you should not play in his garden.
Q: The class teacher said to the students. âThe inspector will visit our school today.â
Ans: The class teacher told the students that the inspector would visit their school that day.
Q: He said to me, âI donât believe you.â
Ans: He told me that he didnât believe me.
Q: She said to her son, âIâve often told you not to play with fire.â
Ans: She told her son that she had often told him not to play with fire.
Q: Sitesh said to Lina, âI want you to go to Patna with me.â
Ans: Sitesh told Lina that he wanted her to go to Patna with him.
Q: âWe canât be quite happy in life,â he said.
Ans: He said that they couldnât be quite happy in life.
Q: He said, âThe Muslims bury their dead.â
He said that the Muslims bury their dead.
Q: âYouâve overcooked the steak again, Maryâ, he said.
Ans: He told Mary that she had overcooked the steak again.
Q: Ramen said to Bina, âIâm going to your house this, week.â
Ans: Ramen told Bina that he was going to her house that week.
Q: He said, âWe will discuss this tomorrow.â
Ans: He said that they would discuss that the next day
Turn the following sentences into direct speech.
Q: He said to me, âYou are wicked; so I shall not mix with you.â
Ans: He told me that I was wicked; so he would not mix with me.
Q: He said to you, âI was much struck by your eloquence.â
Ans: He told you that he had been much struck by your eloquence.
Q: We remarked, âGod is gracious.â
Ans: We remarked that God is gracious.
Q: I said to my mother, âI shall always obey you.â
Ans: I told my mother that I should always obey her.
Q: He said to Gopal, âYou were a mere boy when I saw you last.â
Ans: He told Gopal that he was a mere boy when he had seen him last.
Q: I said to him, âThe sky is blue.â
Ans: I told him that the sky is blue.
Q: He said to me, âYou will feel the consequences.â
Ans: He told me that I should feel the consequences.
Q: She said to you, âI am not angry with you.â
Ans: She told you that she was not angry with you.
Q: I said to them, âYou have done wrong.â
Ans: I told them that they had done wrong.
Q: He said, âI visit the temple every day.â
Ans: He said that he visited the temple every day.
Direct and Indirect Speech Sample MCQ Questions Answers
Fill in the blanks with proper direct and indirect speech rules.
- d) had been
- Answer: a) was
- c) will like
- d) had liked
- Answer: a) liked
- a) will visit
- b) would visit
- d) had visited
- Answer: b) would visit
- Answer: c) was
- c) will have
- Answer: b) had
- Answer: b) could
- a) revolves
- c) revolved
- d) is revolving
- Answer: a) revolves
- b) had been
- Answer: b) had been
- Answer: b) would
FAQs : Direct and Indirect Speech Rules
Q : what is the key difference between direct and indirect speech.
Ans: The main difference lies in the quoting style. Direct speech involves repeating someoneâs exact words, while indirect speech reports what was said without quoting verbatim.
FAQ 2: Is it always necessary to backshift the tense in indirect speech?
Ans: While backshifting is common, some exceptions exist, especially in cases where the statementâs truth remains constant.
FAQ 3: How do I handle multiple speakers in indirect speech?
Ans: When reporting multiple speakers, use appropriate reporting verbs and introduce each personâs dialogue in a logical sequence.
FAQ 4: Can I mix direct and indirect speech in the same sentence?
Ans: Combining direct and indirect speech in a sentence is possible, but it requires precision to avoid confusion.
FAQ 5: What are some reporting verbs commonly used in indirect speech?
Ans: Reporting verbs like âsaid,â âtold,â âasked,â âclaimed,â and âexplainedâ are frequently employed.
FAQ 6: How can I ensure my writing maintains a natural flow when switching between direct and indirect speech?
Ans: Focus on maintaining consistency in style and verb tense to ensure a smooth transition between direct and indirect speech.
FAQ 7: How do I identify direct and indirect speech in a sentence?
Ans: Direct speech is usually enclosed within quotation marks and directly quotes someoneâs words. Indirect speech, on the other hand, reports those words without quotation marks, often using reporting verbs like âsaid,â âtold,â âasked,â etc.
FAQ 8: Can reporting verbs change the meaning of indirect speech?
Ans: Yes, the choice of reporting verbs can convey the speakerâs attitude or emotions towards the reported speech. Different reporting verbs can modify the meaning slightly.
FAQ 9: What are the common reporting verbs for indirect speech?
Ans: Common reporting verbs for indirect speech include âsay,â âtell,â âask,â âinquire,â âexplain,â âdescribe,â and more.
FAQ 10: How do I change tenses in indirect speech?
Ans: The tense in indirect speech is generally shifted back one step. For example, present simple becomes past simple, present continuous becomes past continuous, and so on.
FAQ 11: Is it essential to use quotation marks in indirect speech?
Ans: No, quotation marks are not used in indirect speech as they report the speech without directly quoting it.
FAQ 12: Can you give an example of indirect speech in narratives?
Ans: Certainly! In the story, he said, âI love you,â to which she replied that she loved him too.
FAQ 14: Can we omit the reporting verb in indirect speech?
Ans: It is possible to omit the reporting verb in some cases, especially in informal contexts, but including it adds clarity and structure to the reported speech.
FAQ 15: Do all tenses change in indirect speech?
Ans: Most tenses change in indirect speech, but the changes depend on the context and the tense of the original statement.
FAQ 16: Can you provide more examples of direct and indirect speech transformations?
Ans: Certainly! Here are a few more examples:
Direct: âI am reading a book,â she said. Indirect: She said that she was reading a book.
Direct: âWe have completed the project,â they exclaimed. Indirect: They exclaimed that they had completed the project.
FAQ 17: How can I practice using direct and indirect speech effectively?
Ans: Practice by converting direct speech to indirect speech and vice versa using various reporting verbs, tenses, and pronouns. Additionally, read books or articles and identify the reported speech used by the authors.
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English Grammar & Vocabulary
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Direct and Indirect Speech – Rules and Examples
13th June 2020 By Edify English Leave a Comment
Any word spoken by a speaker can be written in two different ways. Those two are direct and indirect speech. Direct Speech is when the speakerâs actual words are quoted and these words are put in inverted commas (â…..â) while Indirect Speech is when the speakerâs words are said indirectly with the same meaning without repeating the exact words. For Example, the statement in direct speech She said to me, âI am going to the parkâ changes into She told me that she was going to the park in indirect speech.
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Basic Changes while changing from Direct speech to indirect speech
- The comma ( , )after the reporting verb is removed and the conjunction that is added in the indirect speech.
- If the direct speech contains âsaid toâ , it will be converted into âtoldâ in the indirect speech.
- The quotation marks (Inverted commas) are to be removed in the indirect speech.
- I becomes He/ She
- We becomes they
- You becomes He / She/ They
- Me becomes Him/ he r (Depending on the gender in the direct speech)
- My becomes His/ Her .
- Our becomes their
- Us becomes them
- Your becomes His/ her/ their .
Rules in changing a sentence from Direct and Indirect Speech
- Rule 1: The Verb in the simple present tense in the direct speech changes into the simple past tense in indirect speech
Example: He said to me, âI am happyâ  becomes He told me that he was happy
(The verb in the direct speech ‘am’ is converted into ‘was’.)
- Rule 2: The verb in the simple past tense becomes past perfect tense in indirect speech.
Example: He said to me, âI was happyâ  changes into He told me that he had been happy
- Rule 3: A present continuous tense in direct speech becomes past continuous tense in indirect speech.Â
Example: The peon said, “The professor is teaching in that classroom”  changes into The peon said that the professor was teaching in that classroom.Â
- Rule 4: If the direct speech contains present perfect tense, it changes into the past perfect tense in indirect speech.
Example: She said, “I have passed the test” becomes She said that she had passed the test.
- Rule 5: If the direct speech contains a statement talking about a universal truth or a factual statement, there will be no change of tense in indirect speech.Â
Example: The teacher said, “The sun rises in the East” becomes The teacher said that the sun rises in the east in indirect speech.
Example: Samuel said, “I know the university’s address.” and the indirect speech for that is Samuel said that he knows the university’s address
Rules for converting Interrogatory sentences
- Rule 6: While converting interrogative sentences, the verb âsaid toâ becomes âaskedâ and if/ whether will come in the place of âthatâ. The connecting word ‘that’ will not be used in indirect speech. Also, the interrogation mark (?) is not repeated in the indirect speech.
Example: Â He said to her, âWill you marry me?â changes into He asked her whether she would marry him in the indirect speech.
Rules for Converting Imperative Sentences
- Rule 7: During the conversion of imperative sentences, the verb “said to” is changed into ordered, advised, requested, suggested, proposed, etc. depending on the situation. Also, the connecting word ‘that’ is not used. Instead of that, ‘ to’ is used before the reporting verb.
Example: My father said to me, “prepare well for your examination” . It can be converted to My father advised me to prepare well for my examination.
Rules for Converting Exclamatory Sentences
- Rule 8: For exclamatory sentences, the verb is converted into: exclaimed with joy or sorrow or with surprise, wished, prayed, applauded,/ etc. The exclamatory words and the exclamation are not mentioned anymore in the indirect speech. For example,
Example: The coach said, “Hurrah! we won the match!” is changed as The coach exclaimed with joy that we had won the match.
These are the changes in helping verbs while changing from Direct and Indirect Speech
Note: There is no change in the helping verbs “would, should, could, might, had” in the direct speech and they remain the s ame in indirect speech as well.
Changes in Time and PlaceÂ
Cha nges in pronoun s
The changes in pronouns in indirect speech depends on the subject and the object of the reporting verb.
- Rule 1: The first person of reported speech changes based on the subject of the reporting verb.
Example: She said, “I watched a movie” can be converted into She said that she had watched a movie . Hence, the first person in the direct speech “I” has become “she” based on the subject.
Had there been “he” instead of “she”, the first person in reported speech changes accordingly into “he”.
- Rule 2: The second person in reported speech changes based on the object of the reporting verb.
Example: She said to me, “You watched a movie” can be converted into She told me that I had watched a movie.
- Rule 3 : The third person in the reported speech remains unchanged.
Example: I said to her, “He will play Chess” can be converted into I told her that he would play Chess.
Stay tuned for more examples of direct and indirect speech.
For an extensive material on tenses, Click here
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10.3: Indirect speech acts
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- Paul Kroeger
- Dallas International University via Language Library Press
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The Nigerian professor Ozidi Bariki describes a conversation in which he said to a friend:
“I love your left hand.” (The friend had a cup of tea in his hand). The friend, in reaction to my utterance, transferred the cup to his right hand. That prompted me to say: “I love your right hand”. My friend smiled, recognized my desire for tea and told his sister, “My friend wants tea”… My friend’s utterance addressed to his sister in reaction to mine was a representative, i.e. a simple statement: “my friend wants a tea”. The girl rightly interpreted the context of the representative to mean a directive. In other words, her brother (my friend) was ordering her to prepare some tea. (Bariki 2008)
This brief dialogue contains two examples of indirect speech acts. In both cases, the utterance has the form of a simple statement, but is actually intended to perform a different kind of act: request in the first case and command in the second. The second statement, “My friend wants tea,” was immediately and automatically interpreted correctly by the addressee. (In African culture, when an older brother makes such a statement to his younger sister, there is only one possible interpretation.) The first statement, however, failed to communicate. Only after the second attempt was the addressee able to work out the intended meaning, not automatically at all, but as if he was trying to solve a riddle.
Bariki uses this example to illustrate the role that context plays in enabling the hearer to identify the intended speech act. But it also shows us that context alone is not enough. In the context of the first utterance, there was a natural association between what was said ( your left hand ) and what was intended (a cup of tea); the addressee was holding a cup of tea in his left hand. In spite of this, the addressee was unable to figure out what the speaker meant. The contrast between this failed attempt at communication and the immediately understood statement My friend wants tea , suggests that there are certain principles and conventions which need to be followed in order to make the illocutionary force of an utterance clear to the hearer.
We might define an indirect speech act (following Searle 1975) as an utterance in which one illocutionary act (the primary act) is intentionally performed by means of the performance of another act (the literal act). In other words, it is an utterance whose form does not reflect the intended illocutionary force. My friend wants tea is a simple declarative sentence, the form which is normally used for making statements. In the context above, however, it was correctly interpreted as a command. So the literal act was a statement, but the primary act was a command.
Most if not all languages have grammatical and/or phonological means of distinguishing at least three basic types of sentences: statements, questions, and commands. The default expectation is that declarative sentences will express statements, interrogative sentences will express questions, and imperative sentences will express commands. When these expectations are met, we have a direct speech act because the grammatical form matches the intended illocutionary force. Explicit performatives are also direct speech acts.
An indirect speech act will normally be expressed as a declarative, interrogative, or imperative sentence; so the literal act will normally be a statement, question, or command. One of the best-known types of indirect speech act is the Rhetorical Question, which involves an interrogative sentence but is not intended to be a genuine request for information.
Why is the statement I love your left hand not likely to work as an indirect request for tea? Searle (1969; 1975) proposes that in order for an indirect speech act to be successful, the literal act should normally be related to the Felicity Conditions of the intended or primary act in certain specific ways. Searle restated Austin’s Felicity Conditions under four headings: preparatory conditions(background circumstances and knowledge about the speaker, hearer, and/ or situation which must be true in order for the speech act to be felicitous); sincerity conditions (necessary psychological states of speaker and/or hearer); propositional content (the kind of situation or event described by the underlying proposition); essential condition (the essence of the speech act; what the act “counts as”). These four categories are illustrated in Table 10.1 using the speech acts of promising and requesting.
Generally speaking, speakers perform an indirect speech act by stating or asking about one of the Felicity Conditions (apart from the essential condition). The examples in (7) show some sentences that could be used as indirect requests for tea. Sentences (7a–b) ask about the preparatory condition for a request, namely the hearer’s ability to perform the action. Sentences (7c–d) state the sincerity condition for a request, namely that the speaker wants the hearer to perform the action. Sentences (7e–f) ask about the propositional content of the request, namely the future act by the hearer.
(7) a. Do you have any tea?
b. Could you possibly give me some tea?
c. I would like you to give me some tea.
d. I would really appreciate a cup of tea.
e. Will you give me some tea?
f. Are you going to give me some tea?
All of these sentences could be understood as requests for tea, if spoken in the right context, but they are clearly not all equivalent: (7b) is a more polite way of asking than (7a); (7d) is a polite request, whereas (7c) sounds more demanding; (7e) is a polite request, whereas (7f) sounds impatient and even rude.
Not every possible strategy is actually available for a given speech act. For example, asking about the sincerity condition for a request is generally quite unnatural: # Do I want you to give me some tea ? This is because speakers do not normally ask other people about their own mental or emotional states. So that specific strategy cannot be used to form an indirect request.
We almost automatically interpret examples like (7b) and (7e) as requests. This tendency is so strong that it may be hard to recognize them as indirect speech acts. The crucial point is that their grammatical form is that of a question, not a request. However, some very close paraphrases of these sentences, such as those in (8), would probably not be understood as requests in most contexts.
(8) a. Do you currently have the ability to provide me with tea?
b. Do you anticipate giving me a cup of tea in the near future?
We can see the difference quite clearly if we try to add the word please to each sentence. As we noted in Chapter 1, please is a marker of politeness which is restricted to occurring only in requests; it does not occur naturally in other kinds of speech acts. It is possible, and in most cases fairly natural, to add please to any of the sentences in (7), even to those which do not sound very polite on their own. However, this is not possible for the sentences in (8). This difference provides good evidence for saying that the sentences in (8) are not naturally interpretable as indirect requests.
(9) a. Could you possibly give me some tea, please?
b. Will you give me some tea, please?
c. I would like you to give me some tea, please.
d. Are you going to give me some tea (?please)?
e. Do you currently have the ability to provide me with tea (#please)?
f. Do you anticipate giving me a cup of tea in the near future (#please)?
The contrast between the acceptability of (7b) and (7e) as requests vs. the unacceptability of their close paraphrases in (8) suggests that the form of the sentence, as well as its semantic content, helps to determine whether an indirect speech act will be successful or not. We will return to this issue below, but first we need to think about a more fundamental question: How does the hearer recognize an indirect speech act? In other words, how does he know that the primary (intended) illocutionary force of the utterance is not the same as the literal force suggested by the form of the sentence?
Searle suggests that the key to solving this problem comes from Grice’s Cooperative Principle. If someone asks the person sitting next to him at a dinner Can you pass me the salt?, we might expect the addressee to be puzzled. Only under the most unusual circumstances would this question be relevant to the current topic of conversation. Only under the most unusual circumstances would the answer to this question be informative, since few people who can sit up at a dinner table are physically unable to lift a salt shaker. In most contexts, the addressee could only believe the speaker to be obeying the Co-operative Principle if the question is not meant as a simple request for information, i.e., if the intended illocutionary force is something other than a question.
Having recognized this question as an indirect speech act, how does the addressee figure out what the intended illocutionary force is? Searle’s solution is essentially the Gricean method of calculating implicatures, enriched by an understanding of the Felicity Conditions for the intended speech act. Searle (1975) suggests that the addressee might reason as follows: “This question is not relevant to the current topic of conversation, and the speaker cannot be in doubt about my ability to pass the salt. I believe him to be cooperating in the conversation, so there must be another point to the question. I know that a preparatory condition for making a request is the belief that the addressee is able to perform the requested action. I know that people often use salt at dinner, sharing a common salt shaker which they pass back and forth as requested. Since he has mentioned a preparatory condition for requesting me to perform this action, I conclude that this request is what he means to communicate.”
So it is important that we understand indirect speech acts as a kind of conversational implicature. However, they are different in certain respects from the implicatures that Grice discussed. For example, Grice stated that implicatures are “non-detachable”, meaning that semantically equivalent sentences should trigger the same implicatures in the same context. However, as we noted above, this is not always true with indirect speech acts. In the current example, Searle points out that the question Are you able to pass me the salt? , although a close paraphrase of Can you pass me the salt? , is much less likely to be interpreted as a request (# Are you able to please pass me the salt? ). How can we account for this?
Searle argues that, while the meaning of the indirect speech act is calculable or explainable in Gricean terms, the forms of indirect speech acts are partly conventionalized. Searle refers to these as “conventions of usage”, in contrast to normal idioms like kick the bucket (for ‘die’) which we might call conventions of meaning or sense.
Conventionalized speech acts are different from normal idioms in several important ways. First, the meanings of normal idioms are not calculable or predictable from their literal meanings. The phrase kick the bucket contains no words which have any component of meaning relating to death.
Second, when an indirect speech act is performed, both the literal and primary acts are understood to be part of what is meant. In Searle’s terms, the primary act is performed “by way of” performing the literal act. We can see this because, as illustrated in (10), the hearer could appropriately reply to the primary act alone (A1), the literal act alone (A2), or to both acts together (A3). Moreover, in reporting indirect speech acts, it is possible (and in fact quite common) to use matrix verbs which refer to the literal act rather than the primary act, as illustrated in (11–12).
(10) Q: Can you (please) tell me the time? A1: It’s almost 5:30. A2: No, I’m sorry, I can’t; my watch has stopped. A3: Yes, it’s 5:30.
(11) a. Will you (please) pass me the salt? b. He asked me whether I would pass him the salt.
(12) a. I want you to leave now (please). b. He told me that he wanted me to leave.
In this way indirect speech acts are quite similar to other conversational implicatures, in that both the sentence meaning and the pragmatic inference are part of what is communicated. They are very different from normal idioms, which allow either the idiomatic meaning (the normal interpretation), or the literal meaning (under unusual circumstances), but never both together. The two senses of a normal idiom are antagonistic, as we can see by the fact that some people use them to form (admittedly bad) puns:
(13) Old milkmaids never die — they just kick the bucket. 7
Birner (2012/2013: 196) points out that under Searle’s view, indirect speech acts are similar to generalized conversational implicatures. In both cases the implicature is part of the default interpretation of the utterance; it will arise unless it is blocked by specific features in the context, or is explicitly negated, etc. We have to work pretty hard to create a context in which the question Can you pass the salt? would not be interpreted as a request, but it can be done. 8
Searle states that politeness is one of the primary reasons for using an indirect speech act. Notice that all of the sentences in (7), except perhaps (7f), sound more polite than the simple imperative: Give me some tea! He suggests that this motivation may help to explain why certain forms tend to be conventionalized for particular purposes.
7 Richard Lederer (1988) Get Thee to a Punnery. Wyrick & Company.
8 Searle (1975: 69) suggests that a doctor might ask such a question to check on the progress of a patient with an injured arm.
'Not the time and place': Students speak out on Harrison Butker's 'uncomfortable' commencement address
Harrison Butkerâs commencement speech last weekend left some graduates at Benedictine College outraged after the Kansas City Chiefs kicker asserted that one of the âmost importantâ roles for a woman is being a homemaker and that Pride Month is an example of âdeadly sin.â
In the six days since the address, neither Butker, 28, nor the small Catholic school have commented publicly about the backlash â and graduates who attended the ceremony have been left to grapple with the fallout.
Kyra Misuraca, a 22-year-old graphic design major, said she was shocked that Butker used the speech to address gender roles instead of encouraging her and other graduating women to follow their dreams.
âMy jaw dropped at one point,â said another student, 21-year-old Susannah Leisegang, who also graduated with a graphic design degree. âIt was just very uncomfortable, and I was looking back and forth at some of my friends and we were like, this is just not the time and place for this at all.â
Mary Aaker, who graduated from Benedictine in 2019, said Butker's remarks were âdisheartening.âÂ
âAll of that was boiled down to, âI bet youâre most excited to go out and start a family,ââ she said on NBCâs âTODAYâ show .
Butker used the speech to rail against President Joe Biden, abortion, IVF and the response to Covid-19. At one point, while criticizing a media report that mentioned the college, he said that students at the school felt âexcitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him.â
Roughly 12 minutes into the speech, Butker addressed the graduating women directly and said that âthe most diabolical liesâ had been told to them.Â
âHow many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.â
Butker invoked his own success and attributed it to his wife, whom he said had converted to Catholicism, married him and âembraced one of the most important titles of all â homemaker,â he said.
The line drew applause, but Misuraca said all the women sitting around her audibly gasped.
âI was very irritated that he would say that to a bunch of women who are graduating college with a degree in something that theyâre passionate about,â she said.
But to another student in attendance, the outrage over the comment is misplaced. The student, who declined to be interviewed by phone but corresponded with NBC News via text and social media, said that he didnât believe Butker's comments should be interpreted as telling female students they should quit their jobs and become homemakers.
âHarrison said that women should appreciate the role of motherhoodâ more than they care about their jobs, he said.
âI donât agree with everything he said but itâs also abundantly clear that everyone mad online didnât listen to the whole speech and are taking things out of context,â he added. âI think the backlash is ridiculous; he was invited to speak at our small Catholic college where getting engaged/married right after college is a regular occurrence. He knew his audience and people on Instagram and X shouldnât be mad about something they werenât the target audience for.â
Misuraca took issue with that description of the school. She said the college regularly recruits athletes â she attended on a basketball scholarship â who are non-Catholic or âbarelyâ Catholic.
âObviously, we come in knowing that it is a Catholic school and we are going to be around a lot of Catholic beliefs and we arenât Catholic, so we canât really say youâre wrong, because thatâs what you believe,â she said. âYou canât really turn around and tell us what we believe.â
The Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, a founding institution and sponsor of the college, said Butkerâs comments do not â represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested.â
âInstead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division,â an online statement  reads.
At the end of Butker's speech, there was applause and many in the crowd rose to their feet.
But Misuraca said she remained seated and booed. Leisegang also booed. They both said they hoped that school administrators would eventually address graduates about the controversy.
Misuraca said an explanation would be appreciated, though she said ultimately it was Butker who delivered the speech, not a school official. Leisegang went further saying she wants an apology and that Butkerâs speech had overshadowed the dayâs importance.
âThere were women walking across the stage with children in their hands, earning their degrees,â she said. âAnd just to hear that â like, of course, his wife can become a homemaker. Youâre a millionaire. But thatâs not the reality for a lot of the country that we live in.â
Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.
Trump just made more promises to oil industry campaign donors
The pledges to oil executives came a day before Senate Democrats launched a probe of Trump seeking $1 billion in donations from the oil industry.
In a rambling fundraising pitch to oil executives in Houston on Wednesday, former president Donald Trump promised them that he would immediately approve their projects and expand drilling in a second term â just as he worked to expedite the controversial Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines soon after taking office in 2017.
Trump said that if he returned to office in January, he would issue âimmediate approvals for energy infrastructure. Thatâs pipelines, power plants,â according to the detailed notes of one attendee at the fundraiser who shared them on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.
âI approved the Keystone pipeline, and I approved the Dakota Access pipeline,â Trump said at the fundraiser at Houstonâs Post Oak Hotel, according to the notes.
The event, organized by three oil executives, underscores how Trump is courting an industry that ranked as a main beneficiary of his time in the White House, as he seeks to narrow President Bidenâs fundraising advantage . Less than 24 hours later, Senate Democrats launched an investigation of Trumpâs fundraising dinner last month at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., where he asked oil executives to steer $1 billion to his campaign and pledged to reverse dozens of Bidenâs environmental policies.
One co-host of Wednesdayâs fundraiser was Kelcy Warren, the billionaire chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, the builder of the Dakota Access pipeline. During the GOP presidential primaries, Warren donated tens of thousands of dollars to one of Trumpâs main rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), according to Federal Election Commission filings .
Now, Warren appears to be firmly in Trumpâs camp. In addition to co-hosting the Houston fundraiser, where attendance cost $250,000 per person, he donated $800,000 to the Trump campaign throughout the 2024 campaign cycle. The event lasted many hours and included pictures. The speech lasted about an hour, and Trump mingled with attendees, taking pictures with high-dollar contributors.
On Thursday, Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Finance Committee launched a joint investigation of the Mar-a-Lago meeting last month. The senators voiced concern that Trumpâs request at the dinner may have been a quid pro quo and may have violated campaign finance laws, although experts say his conduct probably did not cross the threshold of being illegal .
During his speech Wednesday, Trump did not ask the oil executives for a specific amount of campaign donations, according to the notes from the attendee.
âBe generous, please,â he said to end his speech, after making policy promises and touting his energy record. One person involved in the event said it raised more than $25 million.
Trump said he would âlift the natural gas export ban, cancel all unnecessary energy-killing regulations ⊠[and] open up more federal landsâ to drilling, the notes said, drawing cheers from the audience.
He told attendees that he would immediately reverse Bidenâs pause on approvals of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports . Lifting the pause could directly benefit Energy Transfer Partners, whose pipelines serve several LNG export terminals that ship the fuel overseas. The company also clashed with the Biden administration last year when it refused to extend a permit for its LNG export terminal in Lake Charles, La.
Another co-host of the Houston fundraiser was Harold Hamm, the executive chairman of the oil giant Continental Resources and a pioneer of the countryâs fracking boom. During the event, Trump lobbed a joke at Hamm about his singular focus on fossil fuels.
âHeâs my original oil guy that taught me so much about oil,â Trump said of Hamm, according to the attendeeâs notes. âThis guy knows more about oil and gas ... thatâs all he knows. Thatâs the problem. Heâs so boring to be with, you know, because all he wants to talk about is oil and gas.â
The third co-host of the fundraiser was Vicki Hollub, the CEO of Occidental Petroleum who has touted what she calls ânet-zero oilâ â a seemingly paradoxical term that refers to oil produced using carbon dioxide captured from drilling .
Spokespeople for Energy Transfer Partners, Continental Resources and Occidental Petroleum did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Asked for comment, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt did not directly answer questions about the fundraiser. In an emailed statement, she said that âPresident Trump is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect our national security and bring down the cost of living for all Americans.â
Despite the oil industryâs complaints about Bidenâs policies, the United States now produces more oil than any country ever has , pumping nearly 13 million barrels per day on average last year.
At the Houston fundraiser, Trump again griped about wind energy , claiming that turbines kill bald eagles and that wind âdoesnât work,â according to the notes from the attendee, and made clear his preferences.
âSo we have wind, but we want natural gas. Natural gas is clean and strong and powerful, and more gasoline and oil,â Trump said, according to the notes. He also praised North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), who is orchestrating much of his energy policy and attended the event.
Trump promised the oil executives that he would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling. His administration had auctioned off oil and gas leases in the refuge, one of the nationâs last unspoiled wild places, days before Trump left office.
âI had ANWR approved in Alaska. Itâs the biggest oil farm,â he said, incorrectly stating the refuge holds an oil reserve âequivalent of Saudi Arabia, they think.â The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated somewhere between 4.3 billion and 11.8 billion barrels of oil lie underneath the refugeâs coastal plain, whereas Saudi Arabia has an estimated 267 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, according to the coalition of oil-producing nations led by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
The Jan. 6 , 2021, lease sale on the ANWR generated little industry interest, and the Biden administration later suspended those leases, saying Trump officials had done an âinsufficient analysisâ of how drilling would affect critical habitat for threatened polar bears and migrating caribou. Three of the winning bidders later pulled out, and the Interior Department last year canceled the remaining seven leases, though it is legally obligated to hold a second lease sale there by the end of this year.
Returning to a familiar theme, Trump bashed electric vehicles at the Houston fundraiser. He promised to âend the EV mandate immediatelyâ â mischaracterizing ambitious rules that the Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized . The rules require automakers to reduce emissions from car tailpipes, but they donât mandate a particular technology such as EVs.
The batteries in electric trucks, Trump complained, are too big and too heavy. âItâs a massive battery. The batteryâs bigger than a freaking army tank,â he said, according to the attendeeâs notes.
He also mocked energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, calling them a âscamâ and âthe energy hoax.â
Despite his gripes with EVs and efficient appliances â and with Bidenâs ambitious climate agenda more broadly â Trump assured attendees that he is a âbig believer in the environment.â
âDuring the Trump administration, we had the cleanest air,â he said.
The fundraiser covered a range of other topics. He bragged about his golf game â saying he had improved over the past 25 years â and railed against the trial in New York and the other criminal indictments, the attendee said. He gave a slide presentation about other topics, such as immigration and foreign policy, the attendee said.
âWeâre going to build the greatest Iron Dome over our country,â he said. âIsrael has it.â
He regaled the crowd with a long story about his impeachment in 2019 â over withholding foreign aid to Ukraine as he asked the countryâs leader to investigate Hunter Biden â and called Ukraine a âvery corrupt country.â He said he called Ukraineâs president in 2019 only at the request of Rick Perry, the former Republican governor of Texas who was the energy secretary.
âSo I was impeached, and I said, âThanks a lot, Rick,ââ Trump said.
He spent several minutes focused on how the special counsel questioned President Bidenâs memory and mental faculties while not charging him with holding classified documents as part of a report released this year.
âItâs probably the worst exoneration Iâve ever seen,â he said, vowing to use the special counselâs report in the campaign.
He bragged about his ability to save Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) from impeachment, saying his critics backed down after Trump weighed in to defend Paxton.
Trump said he went after Dade Phelan, the speaker of the House in Texas who led Paxtonâs failed impeachment.
âI went after somebody that was not your friend. Not for that reason, but because he was not into voter fraud that was taking place in Texas,â he said, repeating false claims of fraud.
Trump repeated his false claims of the 2020 election being stolen and said Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley was the most important person in the room because he is âgoing to stop the cheating.â
âWe call it save the vote, guard the vote, stop the steal,â he said, referring to what the RNC needed to be doing. The RNC has launched a program called âBank Your Voteâ to bring in early votes.
He said he picked Whatley for the job because he did not lose North Carolina âin the middle of the nightâ like he did some other states, when he alleged more ballots came in to cost him the election. Before his current position, Whatley was chair of North Carolinaâs Republican Party.
âIf you talk about it, youâre a denier,â he said of his false claims of the 2020 election, according to the notes. âIâm the greatest denier in history.â
Trump also said he was trying to post on Truth Social less frequently after midnight.
âI never go beyond 2 oâclock. 3 oâclock is like magic. They say he was truthing at 3 in the morning,â he said. âThey make you look like a little bit of a nut job.â
A previous version of this article incorrectly said Donald Trump took office in 2016. He took office in 2017. The article has been updated.
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At Morehouse, Biden says dissent should be heard because democracy is 'still the way'
![how to make an indirect speech Headshot of Stephen Fowler.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/01/12/fowler-headshot_sq-6338490b7b10cd2b05d0ff6b55dcd4575dd3e599.png?s=100&c=85&f=png)
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![how to make an indirect speech President Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/19/ap24140544402129-e07c43eb8565a89beb1f4440c9d9a26aca4df701.jpg?s=1100&c=15&f=jpeg)
President Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption
President Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta.
President Biden told Morehouse College's graduating class of 2024 that he's committed to serving Black voters while defending freedom and democracy in the face of "extremist forces" that he says threaten the soul of the nation.
With just six months until the general election, the speech, which was filled with religious themes of struggle and resilience, also served as a continuation of Biden's warning to his supporters of what he thinks the country would look like if Donald Trump is elected again.
"They don't see you in the future of America, but they're wrong," he said. "To me, we make history, not erase it. We know Black history is American history."
The president's commencement address at Morehouse, a historically Black school in Atlanta, also comes as polling shows potentially lower support for his reelection efforts among Black voters and young voters, and as campus protests over conflict in Gaza have disrupted graduations around the country.
Biden said he understood angst over the direction of the country, acknowledged "dissent about America's role in the world" and said that those who have different views should have their voices heard in the name of democracy.
"That's my commitment to you," he said. "To show you: democracy, democracy democracy â it's still the way."
![how to make an indirect speech Graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement bow their heads Sunday in Atlanta. President Biden addressed the graduating class of 2024 and warned about](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/19/ap24140493408851-8a8e3a786aa25635ffafe1c0e974e1cb0d171ce1.jpg?s=1100&c=15&f=jpeg)
Graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement bow their heads Sunday in Atlanta. President Biden addressed the graduating class of 2024 and warned about "extremist forces" he says threaten the soul of the nation. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption
Graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement bow their heads Sunday in Atlanta. President Biden addressed the graduating class of 2024 and warned about "extremist forces" he says threaten the soul of the nation.
His speech is also one of many events on his recent trip aimed at speaking to Black voters, following events with plaintiffs in the historic Brown v. Board Supreme Court case, meetings with Black Greek Letter Organizations, often known as the Divine Nine, and before he headlines an NAACP dinner in Detroit.
For weeks, several college and university campuses around the country have been roiled with student protests and encampments expressing opposition against Biden and U.S. policies and involvement around conflict in Gaza.
![how to make an indirect speech Biden will cap off a week of outreach to Black Americans with Morehouse commencement](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/16/ap24137638210531_sq-df4db40c5048df83e9b0ba490299c50a37e99e09.jpg?s=100&c=15&f=jpeg)
Biden will cap off a week of outreach to Black Americans with Morehouse commencement
![how to make an indirect speech Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/16/gettyimagebiden-2150560726_sq-461372b36de9cf1b740be1da2bf2068459188328.jpg?s=100&c=15&f=jpeg)
Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided
Morehouse has seen student demonstrations, but not occupation of campus spaces or clashes with law enforcement. Outside of the ceremony, a small number of protesters gathered while the commencement itself did not see any major disruptions.
Last week, Morehouse College President David Thomas said he would rather halt proceedings than have students escorted away for protesting.
"If my choice is 20 people being arrested on national TV on the Morehouse campus, taken away in zip ties during our commencement, before we would reach that point, I would conclude the ceremony," he said on NPR's Weekend Edition .
![how to make an indirect speech An attendee stands in protest with their back to President Biden as Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/19/ap24140550346003-afed7351eb88fb18316729cb53f8d0603df36adf.jpg?s=1100&c=15&f=jpeg)
An attendee stands in protest with their back to President Biden as Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta. John Bazemore/AP hide caption
An attendee stands in protest with their back to President Biden as Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement Sunday in Atlanta.
Those concerns did not come to pass. Apart from the heightened security and increased media presence, Biden's speech was met with a similar response to a typical college graduation ceremony.
More than 400 graduating students walked across the stage Sunday, and during Biden's speech a handful of students, some wearing keffiyehs , turned their chairs around to face away from the president.
After the ceremony, Morehouse issued a statement praising the graduating class and their intentionally muted response to Biden.
"It is fitting that a moment of organized, peaceful activism would occur on our campus while the world is watching to continue a critical conversation," the statement reads. "We are proud of the resilient class of 2024's unity in silent protest, showing their intentionality in strategy, communication, and coordination as a 414-person unit."
DeAngelo Fletcher, Morehouse College's valedictorian, closed his address to his classmates by addressing global conflict, particularly the Israel-Hamas war.
"For the first time in our lives, we've heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture," he said. "It is my sense as a Morehouse Man, nay â as a human being â to call for an immediate and a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."
Biden's speech at Morehouse comes with intense scrutiny as many presidential horse race polls show the president lagging with young voters, Black voters and other nonwhite groups that helped propel him to a narrow victory against Trump in 2020.
Those polls â for now â signal a drop in support for Biden but not necessarily an equal shift toward Trump. There are also signs that some of the displeasure with Biden is more pronounced among people who aren't as likely to vote in November.
While facing a nominal challenge in the Democratic presidential primary, Biden's best-performing areas have often come in places with a large share of Black voters. For example, in Georgia's primary contest 95% of Black voters pulled a Democratic ballot, and Biden won 95% of the overall vote.
While some students, faculty and alumni expressed opposition to Biden's selection as the commencement speaker, reaction on campus during the graduation ceremony was largely positive.
Dr. Tiffany Johnson, a 50-year-old who came to the campus green at 4:30 a.m. to see her son graduate, was also excited to see Biden.
"He is the leader of the free world, the most important job in the world, and for him to come to speak to [Morehouse] graduates, to inspire them, is phenomenal," Johnson said.
Johnson said Black voters who might not support Biden are part of a "bandwagon" that do not understand what he has done for the community, and said his speech would be an ideal opportunity to share his accomplishments.
In the speech, Biden touted a track record that he says makes key investments in Black communities, including a record $16 billion funding package toward historically Black colleges and universities, protecting voting rights, and creating economic policies that strengthens Black businesses.
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- black voters
- young voters
- Donald Trump
- graduation ceremony
- commencement address
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Trump’s rally in deep blue south bronx drew crowd of 8,000 to 10,000: law enforcement sources.
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Former President Donald Trump’s Bronx rally drew about 8,000 to 10,000 attendees, law enforcement sources told The Post on Friday.
The Thursday night rally was held in Crotona Park, which had a permit allowance of 3,500 people.
Thousands of Trump supporters were lined up by the security gates for hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the 45th president making his first New York City rally appearance since 2016.
![how to make an indirect speech An aerial view of the number of attendees let in through the security gates.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/donald-trump-visits-bronx-campaign-82594799_393f18.jpg?w=1024)
Attendees were being let in to the event until the very last moments of Trump’s speech.
Trump national secretary Karoline Leavitt had claimed there were 25,000 people total in attendance, while another campaign staffer told The Post they would estimate around 10,000 people showed up.
It was difficult to gauge the crowd size, as what appeared to be thousands of people were being let in through security gates gradually.
The park itself and the area around Trump’s stage had room to accommodate more people throughout the entirety of his speech.
![how to make an indirect speech A separate crowd, not pictured, was also being held behind security gates and was being let in gradually.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/former-us-president-republican-presidential-82548285_a859f0.jpg?w=1024)
His team was trying to honor the size capacity.
Trump adviser Chris LaCivita told The Post that 20,000 people had signed up to attend the rally.
The Post heard attendees grumbling about the park’s limitations when it came to accommodating them.
![how to make an indirect speech Trump spoke about the economy, migration and crime during his speech.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/former-us-president-republican-presidential-82545395_03ac5f.jpg?w=1024)
The rally, although not as large as Trump’s Wildwood, NJ, gathering two weeks ago, was supposed to show the former commander-in-chief isn’t “afraid” to show up in traditionally Democratic voting areas, Trump campaign rep Danielle Alvarez told The Post.
The Bronx also was an opportunity for Trump to engage with black and Hispanic voters in New York, demographics which the former president is bringing to his side in record numbers, according to polls.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to win New York in 2024, despite losing his home state in 2016 and 2020 by double digits.
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Trumpâs social media account shares a campaign video with a headline about a âunified Reichâ
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media after attending the dayâs proceedings at his hush money trial, in New York, Monday, May 20, 2024. (Sarah Yenesel/Pool Photo via AP)
President Joe Biden walks to board Air Force One as he departs from Boston-Logan International Airport, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in East Boston, Mass., to return to Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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NEW YORK (AP) â A video posted to Donald Trumpâs account on his social media network included references to a âunified Reichâ among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November.
The headline appears among messages flashing across the screen such as âTrump wins!!â and âEconomy booms!â Other headlines appear to be references to World War I. The word âReichâ is often largely associated with Nazi Germanyâs Third Reich, though the references in the video Trump shared appear to be a reference to the formation of the modern pan-German nation, unifying smaller states into a single Reich, or empire, in 1871.
The 30-second video appeared Monday on Trumpâs account at a time when the presumptive Republican nominee for president, while seeking to portray President Joe Biden as soft on antisemitism, has himself repeatedly faced criticism for using language and rhetoric associated with Nazi Germany.
It was posted and shared on the former presidentâs Truth Social account while he was on a lunch break from his Manhattan hush money trial Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning, the post of the video had been deleted.
âThis was not a campaign video, it was created by a random account online and reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word, while the President was in court,â Karoline Leavitt, the campaign press secretary, said in a statement.
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Biden, speaking at a pair of Boston fundraisers Tuesday, highlighted Trumpâs posting of the video, painting it as part of a pattern of incendiary comments sowing discord in the country, saying, âthis is Hitlerâs language â not Americaâs.â Bidenâs campaign soon after released a short video online showing him appearing to watch the video on a cellphone, saying âWowâ and making a similar comment as he did at the fundraisers, adding, âHe cares about holding on to power. I care about you.â
Biden told one group of donors that itâs not the first time Trumpâs âgone down this roadâ and chided the former president for offering a âlame excuse that a staffer did it.â
âHe attacks his opponents as vermin,â Biden said. âHe says immigrants are poisoning the blood of America. Thatâs a line used in Hitlerâs Germany, not an American president.â
Earlier this month, Trump said at a fundraiser that Biden is running a âGestapo administration,â referring to the secret Nazi police force.
Trump previously used rhetoric echoing Adolf Hitler when he said immigrants entering the U.S. illegally are âpoisoning the blood of our country,â and called his opponents âvermin.â
The former president has also drawn wide backlash for having dined with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist in 2022 and for downplaying the 2017 rally in Charlottesville , Virginia, where white nationalists chanted âJews will not replace us!â
At least one of the headlines flashing in the video appears to be text copied verbatim from a Wikipedia entry on World War I: âGerman industrial strength and production had significantly increased after 1871, driven by the creation of a unified Reich.â
In one image, the headlines âBorder Is Closedâ and â15 Million Illegal Aliens Deportedâ appear above smaller text with the start and end dates of World War I.
The video appears to have been created by a meme creator who goes by the username Ramble_Rants.
The creator, who is part of a group of meme makers that The New York Times reported has previously collaborated with the Trump campaign, posted the video on the social platform X Monday morning.
In a post on X, Ramble_Rants defended the video, arguing it was about âAmerican peace and prosperity.â
The user explained in a post that the newspaper clippings in the video were pre-selected as part of a template showing historical headlines from the stock video company Envato Elements.
Associated Press writers Ali Swenson and Seung Min Kim in Boston contributed to this report.
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After backlash, Trump pulls social media post with reference to 'unified Reich'
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Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut; Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw and Andy Sullivan; Editing by Ross Colvin, Daniel Wallis, Jonathan Oatis and Christopher Cushing
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A Ukrainian missile attack triggered a fire on Monday in the Russian-held northeastern city of Luhansk, the latest in a series of strikes near the city, the regional Russia-installed governor said.
Azerbaijan wants to borrow $5 billion from international credit institutions in the coming years for large infrastructure projects, including in territories secured in a lightning military offensive in September, the finance minister told Reuters.
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Deadly storms sweep central US
May 19, 2024 helicopter crash involving Iranian president
By Antoinette Radford, Dakin Andone, Michelle Shen, Steve Almasy, Matt Meyer and Kathleen Magramo, CNN
Iranian media has confirmed the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi. Our live coverage continues here .
President Raisi was likely traveling on a Bell 212 helicopter acquired before the Iranian Revolution, military expert says
From CNN's Rhea Mogul
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was likely traveling on a Bell 212 helicopter that began operating in the late 1960s, according to CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton.
Leighton told CNN's Paula Newton that the difficulty in obtaining spare parts could have played a factor in the crash.
The helicopter was first produced in the United States and then in Canada, Leighton, a retired US Air Force colonel, said.
âIt was first introduced during the latter period of the Shahâs rule in 1976 in commercial form and it had a life before that in the US military, so the actual start of this particular type of helicopter may have been as early as the late 1960s,â Leighton said.
âSo spare parts would have definitely been an issue for the Iranians.â
âIn this particular case, I think this confluence of spare parts, because of the sanctions, plus the weather which was very bad over the last few days in this particular part of northwestern Iran. All of that, I think contributed to a series of incidents and a series of decisions that the pilot and possibly even the president himself made when it came to flying this aircraftâŠÂ And unfortunately for them, the result is this crash.â
Drone footage shows wreckage of crashed helicopter
By CNN's Jerome Taylor
![how to make an indirect speech Red Crescent via FARS News Agency](https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/7a27e7f5-d581-41ef-94a2-950f70e98940.jpg)
Iranâs president and foreign minister are presumed dead after Iranian media agencies reported that âno survivorsâ were found at the crash site of a helicopter carrying the two men and seven others.
Iranâs President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were among the senior officials on board the downed helicopter.
Drone footage of the wreckage taken by the Red Crescent and carried on state media FARS News Agency showed the crash site on a steep, wooded hillside, with little remaining of the helicopter beyond a blue and white tail.
No official announcement of their deaths has yet been made.
Reuters news agency also cited an unnamed Iranian official as saying all passengers are feared dead.
No signs of life from helicopter passengers, says head of Iranian Red Crescent
From CNN's Negar MahmoodiÂ
There are no signs of life from those traveling on the helicopter that crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, said Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent, according to Iranian state news IRIB.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi is believed dead after Iranian agencies reported that "no survivors" were found at the crash site of a helicopter carrying the leader, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and seven others.
BREAKING: "No survivors" found at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian agencies report
From CNN's Artemis MoshtaghianÂ
![how to make an indirect speech Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends a press conference in New York on September 20, 2023.](https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/3d0b87e5-75e1-430f-97f9-6498f448b9c8.jpg)
"No survivors" were found at the crash site of the helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian state news agency IRINN and semi-official news agency Mehr News reported.
Some background: A former hardline judiciary chief, Raisi was Iranâs eighth president. The former prosecutor and judge was elected in 2021 following a historically uncompetitive presidential contest.
He oversaw a period of intensified repression of dissent , according to human rights monitors.
Next in the line of succession would be First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, if approved by Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran's Supreme Leader serves as the final arbiter of domestic and foreign affairs in the Islamic Republic, dwarfing the powers of the country's president.
Unlike his predecessor, the moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, Raisi had fostered a close alliance with Khamenei. Many Iranians believed Raisi was being groomed to one day succeed the ailing 85-year-old Khamenei.
CNN's Tamara Qiblawi contributed reporting to this post.
Rescuers have reached crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi
From Negar Mahmoodi and Artemis Moshtaghian
Rescuers have reached the crash site of the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranâs semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The agency did not say the condition of those who were on board the helicopter.
At least 73 rescue teams are in the area of the helicopter crash near the village of Tavil in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, according to Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent, Tasnim reported.
Kolivand said the "the situation is not good," according to Iranian state news IRNA.
It's 6 a.m. in Tehran. Here's what we know
![how to make an indirect speech Rescue vehicles are seen after the crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in Varzaqan, northwestern Iran, on May 19.](https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/d4e42440-d931-453c-a5cf-f9469d4300b2.jpg)
The crash site of the helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has been located, Iranian state news agency IRNA and semi-official news outlet ISNA reported on Monday.Â
The helicopter crashed in a remote part of the country on Sunday.
As president of Iran, Raisi is the second most powerful individual in the Islamic Republic's political structure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He became president in a historically uncompetitive election in 2021, and he has overseen a period of intensified repression of dissent in a nation convulsed by youth-led protests against religious clerical rule.
The crash comes at a fraught moment in the Middle East, with war raging in Gaza and weeks after Iran launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in response to a deadly strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus.
Hereâs what to know:
- Others on board: Nine people were onboard the helicopter, including the country's foreign minister, and their status remains unknown as rescue operations continue through the early hours on Monday.
- Rescue: Rescuers are contending with dense fog and extreme cold in the country's remote East Azerbaijan Province. A Turkish drone had located a heat source but have not reached the crash site nor located the helicopter. Turkey and Russia have said they are sending aircraft to help in search operations.
BREAKING: Rescuers locate crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, state media says
 From CNN's Negar Mahmoodi and Artemis MoshtaghianÂ
The crash site of the helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister has been located, Iranian state news agency IRNA and semi-official news outlet ISNA reported on Monday.Â
Rescuers are approaching the scene of the accident, ISNA said, citing Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent.
State media did not give the exact location of the site.Â
More to follow.
Analysis: Helicopter crash comes at a fraught time for region â and Iran itself
From CNN's Jerome Taylor
![how to make an indirect speech An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14.](https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/e5e02da7-71e3-4231-8f6d-85d27d646a2a.jpg)
The crash of a helicopter carrying Iranâs president and foreign minister comes at an especially fraught moment in the Middle East â and for Iran domestically.
Israelâs war against Hamas and the subsequent humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Gaza over the last seven months has inflamed global opinion and sent tensions soaring across the Middle East.Â
It has also brought a decades-long shadow war between Iran and Israel out into the open.
Last month Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel â its first ever direct attack on the country â in response to a deadly apparent Israeli airstrike on Iranâs consulate in Damascus that killed a top commander in Iranâs elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).Â
Israel struck back a week later , according to US officials, hitting targets outside the Iranian city of Isfahan with a much smaller, calibrated response.Â
Since then the tit-for-tat direct strikes between the two have stopped. But the proxy war continues with Iran-backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah continuing to fight Israelâs forces.
Meanwhile, Iranâs hardline leadership has weathered an explosion of recent popular dissent on the streets at home where years of US-led sanctions have hit hard.
The country was convulsed by youth-led demonstrations against clerical rule and worsening economic conditions following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iranâs notorious morality police.
Iranian authorities have since launched a widening crackdown on dissent in response to the protests.
That crackdown has led to human rights violations, some of which amount to âcrimes against humanity,â according to a United Nations report released in March.
And while the protests for now have largely stopped, opposition to clerical leadership remains deeply entrenched among many Iranians, especially the young, who yearn for reform, jobs and a move away from stifling religious rule.
A former hardline judiciary chief with his own brutal human rights record, Raisi was elected president in 2021 in a vote that was heavily engineered by the Islamic Republicâs political elite so that he would run virtually uncontested.
While he is president, his powers are dwarfed by those of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is the final arbiter of domestic and foreign affairs in the Islamic Republic. Â
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COMMENTS
Reported speech: indirect speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
Reported speech: She said she was going to the store then. In this example, the pronoun "I" is changed to "she" and the adverb "now" is changed to "then.". 2. Change the tense: In reported speech, you usually need to change the tense of the verb to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here's an example:
Watch my reported speech video: Here's how it works: We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. ( Click here for more about using 'say' and 'tell' .) If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence: Direct speech: I like ice cream. Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.
In nonfiction writing or journalism, direct speech can emphasize a particular point, by using a source's exact words. Indirect speech is paraphrasing what someone said or wrote. In writing, it functions to move a piece along by boiling down points that an interview source made. Unlike direct speech, indirect speech is not usually placed inside ...
To convert direct speech into indirect speech, you need to follow a few rules. Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks. The first step is to remove the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text. This is because indirect speech does not use the exact words of the speaker. Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker.
Understanding Direct and Indirect Speech. Direct speech refers to the exact wording that someone uses when performing an act of speech. However, indirect speech implicitly shares the content of the person's original words. Example: Direct Speech: He said, "I am hungry." Indirect Speech: He said that he was hungry.
Introduction. In English grammar, we use reported speech to say what another person has said. We can use their exact words with quotation marks, this is known as direct speech, or we can use indirect speech. In indirect speech, we change the tense and pronouns to show that some time has passed. Indirect speech is often introduced by a reporting ...
Speech in a reported clause is not separated from the reporting verb by a comma, is not enclosed in inverted commas, and does not begin with a capital letter unless it is a proper noun. Reported questions are not followed by question marks. An alternative position for main clauses that would normally have a linking that, is after the reported ...
Learn to use reported speech and direct speech correctly in English with this lesson and quiz! đ *GET THE FREE LESSON PDF* _here_ đđŒ https://bit.ly/PDFRe...
Direct: "I will help you," she promised. Reported: She promised that she would help me. Direct: "You should study harder," he advised. Reported: He advised that I should study harder. Direct: "I didn't take your book," he denied. Reported: He denied taking my book. Direct: "Let's go to the cinema," she suggested.
Here are the steps involved in converting direct speech to indirect speech: Remove the quotation marks. Use a reporting verb to introduce the indirect speech. Change the tense of the verb in the quote if necessary. Change the pronouns if necessary. Use the appropriate conjunction if necessary.
In direct speech, the speaker most often speaks in the first person. That is, the speaker speaks from his person. John will not talk about himself: John is a good boy. John will say it on his behalf: I am a good boy. But when we retell the words of John (indirect speech), we cannot speak on his behalf.
Direct speech: Sheila said, "I am meeting my brother tomorrow.". Indirect speech: Sheila said that she was meeting her brother the following day. Here are a few examples of other typical time expressions and how they change: Direct Speech. Indirect Speech. Yesterday. The day before. Now.
Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message. Q2.
In linguistics, speech or indirect discourse is a grammatical mechanism for reporting the content of another utterance without directly quoting it. For example, the English sentence Jill said she was coming is indirect discourse while Jill said "I'm coming" would be direct discourse.In fiction, the "utterance" might amount to an unvoiced thought that passes through a stream of consciousness ...
A direct speech can be transformed into an indirect speech and vice versa using a suitable reporting verb and a linker depending on the sentence. Let's have an example first. Tina said to me, "Are you busy now?" [direct speech] Tina asked me whether I was busy then. [indirect speech] Direct Speech. Speaker. Reporting verb. Direct speech ...
The following rules are used to change an optative sentence from direct speech to indirect speech. (a) Reporting verbs changed to ' wish ', ' pray', and ' bless ' in Indirect Speech. (b) Linker, ' that ' is placed before Reported speech in Indirect Narration. Example: Direct: The monk said to me, " May God bless you.".
REPORTED SPEECH! https://7esl.com/reported-speech/Reported speech is often also called indirect speech in English.Direct Speech: https://7esl.com/direct-spee...
Cha nges in pronoun s. The changes in pronouns in indirect speech depends on the subject and the object of the reporting verb. Rule 1: The first person of reported speech changes based on the subject of the reporting verb. Example: She said, "I watched a movie" can be converted into She said that she had watched a movie.Hence, the first person in the direct speech "I" has become "she ...
These four categories are illustrated in Table 10.1 using the speech acts of promising and requesting. Generally speaking, speakers perform an indirect speech act by stating or asking about one of the Felicity Conditions (apart from the essential condition). The examples in (7) show some sentences that could be used as indirect requests for tea.
Butker used the speech to rail against President Joe Biden, abortion, IVF and the response to Covid-19. At one point, while criticizing a media report that mentioned the college, he said that ...
During his speech Wednesday, Trump did not ask the oil executives for a specific amount of campaign donations, according to the notes from the attendee. "Be generous, please," he said to end ...
His speech is also one of many events on his recent trip aimed at speaking to Black voters, following events with plaintiffs in the historic Brown v.Board Supreme Court case, meetings with Black ...
The park itself and the area around Trump's stage had room to accommodate more people throughout the entirety of his speech. 6 It was Trump's first rally in New York City since 2016.
NEW YORK (AP) â A video posted to Donald Trump's account on his social media network included references to a "unified Reich" among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November. The headline appears among messages flashing across the screen such as "Trump wins!!" and "Economy booms!". Other headlines appear to ...
Donald Trump deleted a video posted to his Truth Social account that included reference to a "unified Reich" after President Joe Biden's campaign and others criticized the use of language often ...
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi is believed dead after Iranian agencies reported that "no survivors" were found at the crash site of a helicopter carrying the leader, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir ...
CNN â. Former President Donald Trump on Monday posted a video showing images of a fake newspaper article that references a "unified Reich" if he's reelected in 2024. The video details ...
Haley's speech Wednesday served as something of a preview of her place in the run-up to the November election â with the former U.N. ambassador blasting Biden but also advancing an ...