Grammar: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH - JSS2 English language Lesson Note

TOPIC: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct speech refers to the verbatim expression or sentence of a specific speaker. In essence, it entails repeating or writing down exactly the same words utilized by the speaker. It also entails quoting the speaker's words.

INDIRECT SPEECH

This is also termed reported speech. It involves conveying what the speaker has said.

Changing Sentences from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech

Rules of Indirect Speech

1. After specifying the speaker (subject) and the verb, the reported speech is introduced with the conjunction ‘that’ where appropriate.
2. All verbs in the present tense in a quotation must be converted to past tense. For instance, 'says' becomes 'said', 'has' becomes 'had', 'is' becomes 'was', 'can' becomes 'could', 'may' becomes 'might', 'shall' becomes 'should', and 'will' becomes 'would'. However, the verb should remain unchanged if it expresses a permanent truth or customary fact. For example, "He said that the world is round."
3. All pronouns must be altered to the third person. For instance, 'I' becomes 'he/she', 'me' becomes 'him/her', 'we' becomes 'they', and 'our' becomes 'their'.
4. All words indicating nearness must be replaced with corresponding words indicating remoteness. For instance, 'now' becomes 'then', 'here' becomes 'there', 'this' becomes 'that', 'these' become 'those', 'yesterday' becomes 'the previous day', 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day', 'last week' becomes 'the previous week', and 'next year' becomes 'the following year'.

Examples:

Direct Speech: Akin said, ‘I can do it now’.
Indirect Speech: Akin said that he could do it then.

Direct Speech: Ladi remarked, ‘My team wins this year.’
Indirect Speech: Ladi remarked that his team won that year.

Direct Speech: She said, "The sun rises in the East and sets in the West."
Indirect Speech: She said that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

Reporting Commands:
A command can be reported with one of the following verbs: told, commanded, ordered, or instructed.
Example:
(a) Direct Speech: The tutorial teacher said "stop talking".
(b) Indirect Speech: One of the following:
   - The tutorial teacher  told the student to stop talking.
   - The tutorial teacher commanded the student to stop talking.
   - The tutorial teacher ordered the student to stop talking.
   - The tutorial teacher instructed the student to stop talking.

Reporting Questions:
A question can be reported with the use of one of the following: asked of, asked if, asked whether, inquired whether, or requested to know.
Example:
Direct Speech: The man asked, “Can you come tomorrow?”
Indirect Speech: One of the following:
   - The man asked if I could come the next day.
   - The man asked whether I could come the next day.
   - The man inquired whether I could come the next day.