Here are some short notes on Direct and Indirect Speech in English grammar:
Direct Speech
- Quotes the exact words spoken by someone
- Uses quotation marks ("")
- Verb tense remains the same as in the original sentence
- Example: "I am going to the store," said John.
Indirect Speech
- Reports what someone said without quoting their exact words
- No quotation marks
- Verb tense changes to match the tense of the reporting verb
- Example: John said he was going to the store.
Changes in Indirect Speech
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Past Simple → Past Perfect
- Can → Could
- May → Might
- Must → Had to
- Shall → Should
Special cases
- Questions: Verb tense changes, and question word order is used
- Commands: Verb tense changes, and imperative form is used
- Exclamations: Verb tense changes, and exclamation word order is used
These notes cover the basic rules for converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech in English grammar. Let me know if you have any specific questions or need further clarification!
