Why Do We Use Indirect Speech?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Indirect speech is

used to report what someone may have said

, and so it is always used in the past tense. Instead of using inverted commas, we can show that someone’s speech is being described by using the word “that” to introduce the statement first.

What is the use of indirect speech?


When we want to report what someone said without speech marks and without necessarily using exactly the same words

, we can use indirect speech (also called reported speech). For example: Direct speech: “We’re quite cold in here.”

Why do we use indirect language?

WHY USE INDIRECT LANGUAGE? Generally, the less direct we say something in English, the

more polite it will sound

.. Indirect language will make you sound friendlier, especially to native speakers of English. Indirect questions will make your questions feel less like an interrogation.

Why do we use reported speech?

We use reported speech

when we want to tell someone what someone said

. We usually use a reporting verb (e.g. say, tell, ask, etc.) and then change the tense of what was actually said in direct speech.

What are the rules of direct and indirect speech?

Direct Speech Indirect Speech Present simple (Subject +V1st + Object) Past simple (Subject +V2 + Object) Present continuous (Subject +is/am/are+V1 +ing+ Object) Past Continuous (Subject +was/were+V1 +ing+ Object) Present perfect (Subject + has/have+V3+Object) Past perfect (Subject+had+V3+Object)

What is indirect speech and example?

uncountable noun. Indirect speech is

speech which tells you what someone said

, but does not use the person’s actual words: for example, ‘They said you didn’t like it’, ‘I asked her what her plans were’, and ‘ Citizens complained about the smoke’.

What is the indirect language?

Using indirect language

means we talk around something without actually saying it directly

. We might use indirect language when we correct someone or tell them bad news. … Sometimes using too direct language can upset other people, but sometimes it’s necessary to get your point across.

What is difference between direct and indirect speech?

Direct speech describes when

something is being repeated exactly as

it was – usually in between a pair of inverted commas. … Indirect speech will still share the same information – but instead of expressing someone’s comments or speech by directly repeating them, it involves reporting or describing what was said.

How do you become indirect?

Indirect communication is

acting out

rather than directly saying what a person is thinking or feeling using facial expressions, tone of voice, and/or gestures.

What is reported speech 5 examples?

Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech would* I would help, but..” She said (that) she would help but… can I can speak perfect English She said (that) she could speak perfect English. could* I could swim when I was four She said (that) she could swim when she was four. shall I shall come later She said (that) she would come later.

How do you convert direct speech to reported speech?

To convert direct speech to reported speech when the direct speech is in the form of a request or order, we

use the suitable reporting verb in the reported speech

(requested, ordered, etc.). While reporting a command/order, we use the verb ‘told’. While reporting a request, we use ‘asked/requested’.

What are the rules of reported speech?

Direct speech Reported speech Simple Past Simple Past Present Perfect Past Perfect Past Perfect Simple Past will would Reported speech ‘to be’

What is the rule of indirect speech?

Rules Direct Speech Indirect Speech The third person of the reported speech doesn’t change. She says, “She is in tenth class.” She says that she is in tenth class.

What are the two basic rules for direct speech?

Direct speech: As noted earlier,

the actual words uttered by a person (with no change) are quoted

. Therefore, the exact words of the speaker are enclosed in inverted commas or quotation marks. In the sentence, a comma is also added after the word ‘said’ that introduces the spoken words. Example.

How do you convert direct speech to indirect speech?

  1. Remove all the inverted commas and quotation marks.
  2. Always end the sentence with a full stop.
  3. The tenses of the verbs inside the quotation marks and commas should be changed.

What is the another name for indirect speech?

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

.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.