Reported Speech: Direct Speech
Mainly, there are two types of reported speech: direct speech and indirect speech. In this lesson, we will focus on the first type: how to use direct speech.
What Is Direct Speech?
In direct speech (also called quotes), we repeat the exact words the person spoke. We place the direct speech between quotation marks (also called speech marks or inverted commas). For example:
Olivia said, “I didn't see that coming.”
Charlotte said, “Let's have a party!”
Reporting Verbs
Usually, a direct speech has a reporting verb in the past simple. The most common reporting verbs are:
- say
- tell
- ask
- answer
- demand
- cry
- add
The reporting verbs can appear before the actual spoken words, or after them, or inside the reported sentence.
Say Vs. Tell
'Say' and 'tell' are two of the most common reporting verbs in direct speech, but 'say' is more common. When we use 'say,' we do not mention the speaker's name, however, if we do want to mention them, we use the preposition to.
"I'll see you at the party," Mia said.
"See you later," Mia said me.)
But, when we use 'tell' in direct speech, we must mention the person being spoken to. 'Tell' is a verb that needs a direct and indirect object.
"Come over here," Liam told Elijah. (Do not say: "Come over here," Liam told.)
If we want to report a question, we use 'say,' not tell.
"Are you OK?" Amelia said. (Do not say: "Are you OK?" Amelia told me.)
If we want to report wishes, greetings, congratulations, etc. we use 'say,' not 'tell.'
"Happy birthday!" Benjamin said. (Do not say: "Happy birthday!" Benjamin told Oliver.)
Reporting and Reported Clauses
Speech reports have two parts:
- the reporting clause
- the reported clause
The reporting clause contains a reporting verb such as 'say,' 'tell,' 'ask,' 'reply,' etc. usually in the past simple, and the reported clause contains the actual words the speaker said.
The reporting clause may come first or second.
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 had seen Mr. Jackson?"
"Yes," Isabella said, "it was the last time."
using direct speech to quote someone
Tip!
If we want to describe how someone said something, we can use adverbs with the reporting verb.
"I will accept it!" Julian said
"May I speak to him?" she asked somewhat
Inversion
In the process of telling a story, especially in novels, when the reporting clause comes second, we often invert the subject and reporting verb.
"My government will invest in the Stock Market," said the queen.
"Hey! Wait for me!" cried Sawyer.
Informal Narratives
Sometimes in informal situations, we use the present simple in the reporting clause.
So then this guy says, "I have a gun. Give me all your money."
In very informal situations, we can use the present continuous in the reporting clause to make our statement sound dramatic.
And this guy's staring at me and asking, "Didn't you hear me?"
Direct Speech: Punctuation
In direct speech, usually, a comma is placed between the reporting clause and the reported clause.
The exact words of the speaker are placed in quotation marks, either single ('…') or double ("…").
If the reported clause comes first, the comma is placed inside the quotation marks.
"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, we use a question mark or exclamation mark, instead of a comma.
'Are you sure about this?' Penelope asked.
"I don't care!" Gavin shouted.
Sometimes when the reporting clause comes first, we use a colon (:) between the reporting clause and the reported clause.
Ivan replied: 'I don't think it's possible.'
The reported clause always begins with a capital letter, unless the reporting verb comes within a sentence.
'Why did you say that?' Hannah asked.
Review
Direct speech repeats, or quotes the exact words that were spoken. When we use direct speech in writing, we place the spoken words between quotation marks (" ") and we are not allowed to change the words or the tense of the sentence. We may be reporting something that is being said now (for example a conversation between two people in separate rooms repeated by a friend), or telling someone later about a previous conversation.
Here are some important verbs that are used to report something directly.
| say/tell | ask |
| demand | cry |
| answer | add |
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