Grammar Presentation: Direct and Indirect Speech

Based on Pages 380-381 in Focus on Grammar, Taking Examples from the

Readings on Urban Legends

Direct and Indirect Speech: StatementsDirect Speech

Subject Reporting Verb Indirect Statement

The girl said, “It’s too long a story to tell you just now.”

The girl said, “I’ll explain everything when we get there.”

The doctor said, “A young girl gave me this address.”

The old man said, “My daughter was killed at that intersection almost two years ago.”

Direct and Indirect Speech: You can also begin with the quotation:

Direct Speech

The girl said, “It’s too long a story to tell you just now.”

“It’s too long a story to tell you just now,” the girl said.

Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions

Direct Speech: Wh- Questions

Subject Reporting Verb Direct Statement

The doctor asked, “What is a youngster like you doing out here all alone?”

Snopes asked, “How many children have really been by strangers on Hallowe’en?”

Direct and Indirect Speech: The Imperative

Direct Speech

The doctor asked, “What is a youngster like you doing out here all alone?”

“What is a youngster like you doing out here all alone?” the doctor asked.

Direct and Indirect Speech: StatementsIndirect Speech

Subject Reporting Verb

Noun/Pronoun Indirect Statement

The girl said (that) it was too long a story to tell him just then.

told the doctor

The girl said (that) she would explain everything when they got there.

told The doctor

The doctor

said (that) the girl had given him that address.

told the old man

The old man

said (that) his daughter had been killed at that intersection almost two years before.told him

Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions

Indirect Speech: Wh - Questions

Subject Reporting Verb

(Indirect Object)

Direct Statement

The doctor asked (the girl) what a youngster like her was doing out there all alone.

Snopes asked how many children had really been poisoned by strangers on Hallowe’en.

Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions

Direct Speech: Yes/No Questions

Subject Reporting Verb Direct Statement

The National Kidney Foundation

asked, “Has anyone been a victim of a real kidney theft?”

My friend asked, “Is the ‘Lights Out’ story really true?

I asked, “Is it possible to die from spider bites in your hairdo?”

Direct and Indirect Speech: QuestionsIndirect Speech: Yes/No Questions

Subject Reporting Verb

(Indirect Object)

Direct Statement

The National Kidney Foundation

asked ifOR

whether

anyone had been a victim of a real kidney theft.

My friend asked (me) the “Lights Out” story was/is really true.

Snopes asked (Snopes) it is really possible to die from spider bites in your hairdo.

Verb Changes in Indirect SpeechDirect Speech Indirect Speech

Verb

He said, “I investigate the story.”

He said

(that) he

investigated Thestory

am investigating was investigating

investigatedhave investigatedhad investigated

had investigated

will investigate would investigate

can investigate could investigate

should investigate should investigate

Other Changes in Direct Speech

Other Changes in Indirect SpeechDirect Speech Indirect Speech

Pronouns “Andy, are you listening?” Mary asked.

Mary asked Andy if he was listening.

Possessives The boss said, “Sue, bring your camera.”

The boss told Sue to bring her camera.

This “Can I have this newspaper?” Sam asked.

Sam asked if he could have that newspaper.

Here Mrs. Brown asked, “Will you be here?”

Mrs. Brown asked if I would be there.

Ago “We came a year ago,” Jim said. Jim said that they had come one year previously/before.

Now Bob asked, “Are you leaving now?” Boy asked if I was leaving then.

Today “I need to work today,” Jack said. Jack said that he needed to work that day.

Yesterday My friend asked, “Did you call yesterday?”

My friend asked whether I had called the day before.

Tomorrow “Are you arriving tomorrow?” Sarah asked.

Sarah asked whether we were arriving the next day.

Direct and Indirect Speech: Imperative

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

His mother said, “Be careful!” His mother said to be careful.His mother told him to be careful.His mother warned him to be careful.

He said, “Please sit down.” He asked me to sit down.He invited me to sit down.

Snopes.com said, “Don’t do it.” Snopes.com said not to do it.