Direct and Indirect Speech (2024)

Direct speech is used when a person’s spoken words are reproduced and indirect speech is used when the same words are reported from the narrator’s perspective. There are some set rules using which one can easily transform a direct speech into indirect speech.

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

Direct speech: reproduction or repetition of the exact words of the speaker marked by quotation or inverted commas. It is also considered as “direct discourse”. One uses direct speech in dialogue formation or to quote someone’s words.

Reported speech: reporting used to elaborate the exact words of the speaker from the narrator’s point of view. It is used in writing reports or documentation.

Types Of Direct and Speech

As is stated before, there are generally two types of speeches. These are Direct speech and Reported speech. Direct speech is representing the exact words of the speaker just like the script of a drama; the indirect speech is explaining a person’s words from another person’s point of view. These types of speeches can be in “assertive” or “negative”, “interrogative”, “exclamatory”, “imperative”, etc depending on the context.

Identify Direct Speech

Direct speech contains the exact verse of the narrators.

It can be exemplified as: Goutam said, “I will be unable to work tomorrow”.

This kind of speech starts with a comma after the reporting verb and is always stated within inverted commas.

Identify Indirect Speech

The indirect Speech generally reports the speaker’s words from the perspective of the narrator. It can be exemplified as: Goutam said that he would be unable to work the next day.

This kind of speech does not use inverted commas, the exact words are usually changed according to the tense of the reporting verbs and there is a change in the pronouns as well as in the way time is indicated.

Formula of Direct Speech

In order to make direct speeches, generally inverted commas are used. In case of simple present tense the formula is (Subject +V1st + Object), whereas, in Present continuous and Present perfect the formula can be (Subject +is/am/are+V1 +ing+ Object) and (Subject + has/have+V3+Object) respectively. on the other hand in the case of past tense the formula are (Subject+V2+Object) and (Subject +was/were+V1 +ing+ Object) respectively and in future tense (Subject+ will/shall+V1+object) and (Subject +will/shall+be+V1 +ing+ Object).

Using Words Of Direct Speech

When we use direct speech in writing, we place the words spoken between quotation marks (” “) and there is no change in these words.. Generally, daily conversations use direct speech. Journal articles also use direct speech. This speech can be used to highlight the statement, arguments and thoughts of a person, public figure and many more. Indirect speech can be used in a conversation among a group of people to give explanation of a person’s thoughts. It can be used in formal writings as well.

Rules of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct speech is indicated with quotation marks, speech marks or inverted commas. Each line of speech will start with a capital letter. A reporting clause is used at the end of the sentence. A full stop is placed at the end of the reporting clause.

Uses of Direct and indirect Speech

The direct speeches change in accordance with the reporting verb. The concept of person changes contextually from direct to indirect speech. Direct and Indirect Speech can be used in different instances during written as well as verbal communication. To brief someone’s comments or ideas, we can use indirect speech. We use direct speech in our daily conversations.

Conclusion

Direct and indirect speech is an important part of the English language. We use these two types of speeches almost regularly in our daily conversations and written communications. One must be thorough with the rules of these speeches to avoid any silly mistake while using them.