Study Notes
Direct and Indirect Speech are two ways to narrate spoken words in English. Direct Speech uses the exact words spoken, enclosed in speech marks, while Indirect Speech reports the words without speech marks and often changes the tense.
- Direct Speech — A sentence where the exact words spoken by a person are produced in speech marks.
Example: Pan said, “I want to learn English.” - Indirect Speech — A sentence where the general points of the words spoken by a person are reported.
Example: Pan said that he wanted to learn English.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Direct Speech: The exact words spoken are enclosed in speech marks.
- Indirect Speech: The spoken words are reported without speech marks, often with tense changes.
Common Confusions
- Forgetting to change the tense in Indirect Speech.
- Not using speech marks in Direct Speech.
Typical Exam Questions
- Convert to Direct Speech: Bella said she was hungry then.
Bella said, “I am hungry now.” - Convert to Indirect Speech: “I need an ambulance!” screamed the woman.
The woman screamed that she needed an ambulance. - What is Direct Speech?
Direct Speech is when the exact words spoken are repeated in speech marks.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Ability to correctly use speech marks in Direct Speech.
- Correct tense and pronoun changes in Indirect Speech.