Definition: Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of reporting what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. It involves conveying the meaning of the original speaker’s words while adjusting the tense, pronouns, and other elements to fit the context of the reporting situation.
Characteristics:
- Indirect Reporting: Reported speech involves paraphrasing or summarizing what someone else has said rather than quoting them directly.
- Changes in Tense and Pronouns: The tense and pronouns of the reported speech may change based on the context of the reporting sentence.
- Introduction of Reporting Verbs: Reported speech often begins with reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” “asked,” or other verbs indicating communication.
Examples:
- Direct Speech:
- Mary said, “I am going to the store.”
- Reported Speech:
- Mary said that she was going to the store.
- Direct Speech:
- John asked, “Are you coming to the party?”
- Reported Speech:
- John asked if I was coming to the party.
- Direct Speech:
- Sarah told him, “You should study for the exam.”
- Reported Speech:
- Sarah told him that he should study for the exam.
Changes in Reported Speech:
- Changes in Pronouns: Pronouns often change to reflect the perspective of the reported speaker or listener.
- Changes in Tense: The tense of the verb may change depending on whether the reporting is done in the present, past, or future.
- Changes in Time and Place References: Time and place references may also be adjusted to fit the context of the reporting situation.
Usage Tips:
- Use reported speech to summarize or convey what someone else has said in a conversation, interview, or narrative.
- Pay attention to changes in tense, pronouns, and other elements to ensure that the reported speech aligns with the context of the reporting sentence.
- Use reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” “asked,” “advised,” etc., to introduce reported speech and provide clarity about who is speaking.
Additional Notes:
- Reported speech is commonly used in storytelling, journalism, academic writing, and everyday conversations to convey information from one person to another.
- Mastery of reported speech is essential for effective communication and for accurately conveying the words and ideas of others in written or spoken discourse.
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