DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

98. We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:-

(i) We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.

(ii) We may report what he said without quoting his exact words. This is called Indirect

(or Reported) Speech.

Direct. -- Rama said. “I am very busy now.”

Indirect. -- Rama said that he was very busy then.

It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact

words of the speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not. It will be further noticed that in

changing the above Direct Speech into Indirect certain changes have been made. Thus:

(i) We have used the conjunction that before the Indirect statement.(The that is often

omitted especially in spoken English)

(ii) The pronoun I is changed to he. (The Pronoun is changed in Person.)

(iii) The verb am is changed to was. (Present Tense is changed to Past.)

(iv) The adverb now is changed to then.

st5 � ' o @/� (�� 12.0pt;font-family:TimesNewRoman;mso-bidi-font-family:TimesNewRoman'>13. In order that he --- learn the language quickly, he engaged a teacher.

14. He said that he --- do it.

15. The thieves stole whatever they --- find in the house.

16. He begged that we --- pardon him.

17. I wished that I --- come earlier.

18. He said that he --- try again.

19. He worked hard so that he --- win the prize.

20. We ran so that we --- arrive in time.

21. He said that he --- give an early reply.

Exercise

Supply Verbs in correct concord in the following complex sentences:-

1. They sold the house because it --- old.

2. He solemnly assured them that they --- quite mistaken.

3. I come home when it --- to rain.

4. The soldiers advanced when the bugle --- .

5. I asked him what his name --- .

6. He had a cow that --- enormous quantities of milk.

7. When the sun set he --- home.

8. He told them that they --- wrong.

9. I heard that there --- a disturbance in the city.

10. Could you doubt that there --- a God ?