LoginReported Speech: Direct Speech
In this lesson you will learn about advanced uses of direct speech in reported contexts. Master the topic with complex examples and challenging exercises.
What Is Direct Speech?
In direct reported speech (also called quotes), the exact words someone has said are repeated. The direct reported speech is placed between quotation marks (also called speech marks or inverted commas).
Reporting Verbs
Usually, a direct reported speech comes with a reporting verb in the past simple tense. The most common reporting verbs are:
- say
- tell
- ask
- answer
- demand
- cry
- add
Say Vs. Tell
'Say' and 'tell' are two of the most common reporting verbs in direct speech, but 'say' is more common. 'Say' does not require specifying the addressee of the reported sentence. However, the addressee can also be added using the preposition "to".
"I'll see you at the party," Mia said.
"See you later," Mia said
(Do not say: "See you later," Mia said me.)
On the other hand, when 'tell' is used in direct reported speech, the person being spoken to must be specified. 'Tell' is a ditransitive verb, which means it needs both direct and indirect objects. For example:
"Come over here," Liam told Elijah.
(You can't say: "Come over here," Liam told.)
Also, to report questions, only "say" can be used and not "tell".
"Are you OK?" Amelia said.
(Do not say: "Are you OK?" Amelia told me.)
To report wishes, greetings, congratulations, etc. only 'say' can be used, not 'tell.'
"Happy birthday!" Benjamin said.
(Do not say: "Happy birthday!" Benjamin told Oliver.)
Reporting and Reported Clauses
Direct reported speech has two parts:
- the reporting clause (also called the frame clause)
- the reported clause
The reporting clause contains a reporting verb such as 'say', 'tell', 'ask', 'reply', etc., usually in the past simple tense, and the reported clause contains the quote being reported. The reporting clause may come before or after the reported clause. Look at the examples:
Lucas said, "I have a date with Tiffany tonight."
"Give that back to me!" Noah demanded.
Sometimes, in formal or literary texts, the reporting clause comes in the middle of the reported clause.
"Was it," Ethan asked, "the last time you saw Mr. Jackson?"
"Yes," Isabella said, "it was the last time."
using direct speech to quote someone
Tip!
To describe how someone said something, adverb of manner can follow the reporting verb. For example:
"I will accept it!" Julian said
"May I speak to him?" she asked somewhat
Inversion
In the process of narrating a story, especially in novels, when the reporting clause comes after the reported clause, the subject and reporting verb might be inverted. For example:
"My government will invest in the Stock Market,"
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Tip!
Sometimes in informal contexts, the present simple and present continuous tenses can be used in the reporting clause instead of the past simple tense. For example:
So then this guy
And this guy's
Direct Speech: Punctuation
In direct speech, a comma is usually placed between the reporting clause and the reported clause.
The reported speech is placed in quotation marks, either single ('…') or double ("…").
If the reported clause comes first, the comma is placed inside the quotation marks. Pay attention to the examples:
"I cannot sing very well," George said.
Nora said, 'I don't want to marry you.'
If the reported clause is a question or exclamation, a question mark or exclamation mark is used instead of a comma. For example:
'Are you sure about this?' Penelope asked.
"I don't care!" Gavin shouted.
Sometimes when the reporting clause comes first, a colon (:) is placed between the reporting clause and the reported clause. For example:
Ivan replied: 'I don't think it's possible.'
The reported clause always begins with a capital letter, unless the reporting verb comes in the middle of the sentence, in which case the second part of the reported clause does not need to be capitalized.
'Why did you say that?' Hannah asked.
'I will see you there,' Skyler said, '
Direct Reported Speech: Uses
Direct reported speech is used:
- In stories and narratives: To make dialogue feel real.
"What happened next?" asked the detective. "I don't remember," the witness replied nervously.
- When quoting someone exactly: In news reports, academic writing, etc.
According to Smith (2020), "climate change is the most pressing issue of our time."
Review
Direct reported speech repeats, or quotes the exact words that were spoken by someone else. When direct reported speech is used in writing, the exact words of the speaker are put between quotation marks (" ") without any change.
Here are some important verbs that are used to report something directly.
| say/tell | ask |
| demand | cry |
| answer | add |
Quiz:
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