Reported Orders, Commands and Requests are formed using the to-infinitive and not to-infinitive. The reporting verbs for the orders/ commands/ requests are: order, shout, demand, warn, beg, command, tell, insist, beseech, threaten, implore, ask, propose, forbid… When we change from direct to indirect speech, the pronoun and tense changes that are also needed. Examples:  Direct speech: Open the door! Reported speech: He ordered me to open the door. Direct speech: Dont answer the phone. Reported speech: She told me not to answer the phone. Direct speech: Dont be back late.…

When you are changing a question from direct speech into indirect speech, you follow the same kinds of rules as for statements. The only differences are that you need to use a different word to introduce the reported speech, and the word order of the question becomes like that of a statement. You end the sentence…

In indirect speech, you need to be careful with personal pronouns. They need to be changed according to the situation. You need to know the context. For example, there is possible confusion when you try to change reported speech to direct speech:  She said shed been waiting for hours. (Is she one person or two different people?)  I told them they would have to ask permission. (Are we talking…

What is a Reporting Verb? Direct speech is a form of speech where the speaker gives first-hand information, whereas indirect speech is reported on behalf of someone else. For example I am watching TV is an example of direct speech however she said that she was watching TV is indirect speech. We use the reported speech when we want…

Time and place references often have to change in reported speech: Now -> Then For example: Direct speech: The children are playing outside now. Reported speech: He said that the children were playing outside then. Today -> That day For example: Direct speech: Ive got a piano lesson today. Reported speech: She said that she had got a piano lesson that…

The Introductory Verb is in the Present, Present Perfect or Future Example: Direct speech: He says, I will come. Reported speech: He says that he will come. Fact or General Truth If the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth, the present tense is (can be) retained.  Example: Direct speech: Copernicus: The planets revolve around the sun. Indirect speech: Copernicus stated that the planets revolve around the sun. Time Clause The reported sentence…

Both direct and indirect speech are methods to narrate the words spoken by a specific person. The difference between them lies in how they are constructed and in the purpose of using them. Direct Speech In a direct speech, the actual words of the speaker are quoted explicitly. It is often used to relay something being said in…

Direct speech is a way of reporting a spoken text that quotes the exact words of the speaker. It is also called a quoted speech as it literally contains quotation marks that enclose the actual words said. It is typically accompanied by a reporting clause or signal phrase. This type of speech is commonly observed in novels…

There is no change in verb tenses in Indirect Speech when: The introductory verb is in the Present, Present Perfect or Future. If the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth. The reported sentence contains a time clause. The verb of the sentence is in the unreal past (the second or the third conditional). The subjunctive stays unchanged in the subordinate clause. Had better, could, would, used to, should, might, ought to and mustnt remain unchanged. If the…

Changes in Time and Place in Reported Speech Time and place references often have to change in Indirect Speech Now -> Then Today -> That day Here -> There This -> That Tomorrow -> The following day/ The next day/ The day after Next week -> The following week/ The next week/ The week after Yesterday ->…