Direct And Indirect Speech.doc 28042009

Direct and Indirect Speech

A direct quotation gives the words of a speaker exactly as spoken. Tammy said, “I am leaving tomorrow”

An indirect quotation reports on someone’s words indirectly. The pronouns used in an indirect quotation are different from those in a direct quotation. (Review page 94 for sequence of tenses using to say.) Tammy said that she was leaving tomorrow.

When an indirect object (page 34) is used in a sentence being changed from direct to indirect speech, say to is often changed to tell. Direct: Barbara said to Phyllis, “I have a cold” Indirect: Barbara told Phyllis that she had a cold.

Change the following sentences from direct to indirect speech. 1. Carolyn said, “I shall be here at noon.” (Carolyn said she would be here at noon.)

2. David said, “The plane will probably get in late.”

3. The boss said, “I have to finish this report by tonight.”

4. The doctor said, “She’ll get well quickly

5. The teacher said, “Everyone has to write a three-page paper for tomorrow.”

6. Richard said, “I saw that the movie last week.”

7. Janie said, “I’ve read that book.”

8. Suzanne said to her boyfriend, “I can’t go tonight.”

9. William said to him, “The lights aren’t working.”

10.She said to him, “The lights aren’t working.”