The difference between direct and indirect speech; When we quote word for word what somebody says, in writing we use inverted commas, and we repeat the original utterance exactly. This is called direct speech: David: Have you seen The Two Towers? (original utterance) David asked, "Have you seen The Two Towers?" (direct speech) However, if we give the same meaning without repeating the exact words, we do not use inverted commas, and certain changes may be necessary. This is called indirect speech (or reported speech, because we report what has been said): David (to Tom): Have you seen The Two Towers? (original utterance) David asked Tom if he had seen The Two Towers. (indirect speech) We also use indirect speech when we report inner thoughts, although in this case there is no explicit original utterance, just an implied one: I had no idea where my keys were. (implied utterance: Where are my keys?) She knew that the lock had been changed. (implied utterance: The lock has been changed.)
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 02:27:36 +0000
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