Indirect Speech - Change in Tenses


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Indirect Speech - Change in Tenses

Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech:

When we write a sentence in Direct Speech we separate the introducing verb by a comma and a quoted speech. The quoted speech always begins with a capital letter and is placed within inverted commas. While converting the sentence into indirect speech we sometimes use the coordinating conjunctions to join the two parts.

Change in tenses:

You often have to change the tense of the verb in the spoken words. A verb in the simple present usually changes to the simple past in indirect speech:

  • "The suitcase is in the almirah"; said Alice. ( Direct Speech )
  • Alice said the suitcase was in the almirah. ( Indirect Speech )
  • The boy announced, "I want to go for an outing." ( Direct Speech )
  • The boy announced that he wanted to go for an outing. ( Indirect Speech)
  • If the spoken words contain a verb in the simple past, this usually changes to the past perfect in indirect speech:

  • She said, "Peter forgot to lock the door," ( Direct Speech )
  • She said Peter had forgotten to lock the door. ( Indirect Speech )
  • "I saw Mr Jones in the supermarket," remarked sam. ( Direct Speech )
  • Sam remarked that he had seen Mr Jones in the supermarket. ( Indirect Speech )
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