Expertlatin
Changes as per Tense
| 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 are the basic rules of indirect speech?
- What is the first rule of indirect speech?
- What is the structure of indirect speech?
What are the basic rules of indirect speech?
Direct: She said, 'I am happy'. Indirect: She said (that) she was happy. In indirect speech, tenses do not change if the words used within the quotes ('') talk of a habitual action or universal truth.
What is the first rule of indirect speech?
The first rule is to choose a reporting verb and tense.
The reporting verb is often said, but it can also be told, or other verbs like ordered, stated, or reported, depending on the situation. When reporting questions, you can use verbs like asked or requested.
What is the structure of indirect speech?
When using indirect or reported speech, the form changes. Usually indirect speech is introduced by the verb said, as in I said, Bill said, or they said. Using the verb say in this tense, indicates that something was said in the past. In these cases, the main verb in the reported sentence is put in the past.
