Direct Speech vs Indirect Speech
Direct speech uses the exact words someone said, placed in quotation marks. Indirect (reported) speech reports what someone said without using their exact words, and usually involves a tense shift.
Tense Shifts in Reported Speech
When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked), the verb in the reported clause shifts back one tense: present → past, past → past perfect, will → would, can → could.
Questions in Reported Speech
Reported questions use statement word order (not question order). Yes/no questions use 'if' or 'whether'. Wh-questions keep the question word. Do not use question marks.
Commands & Requests
Reported commands use 'told/asked + object + to + verb'. Negative commands use 'told/asked + object + not to + verb'.
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Reporting speech lets you tell someone what another person said. Direct speech quotes exactly; indirect (reported) speech paraphrases and often shifts tense back.
Direct Speech: Exact Words
Use quotation marks and the original words: She said, 'I am tired.' Direct speech is common in stories and dialogues. Keep the original tense inside the quotes.
Indirect Speech: Reported
Drop quotes and shift the tense back one step: She said (that) she was tired. Present becomes past, 'will' becomes 'would'. Pronouns and time words also shift ('today' to 'that day'). This is the everyday way to pass on a message.
Common Shifts to Practice
am/is -> was, are -> were, will -> would, can -> could, have -> had. 'He said he can come' becomes 'He said he could come.' Regular practice saying both forms aloud prevents mistakes when you retell conversations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When reporting speech, learners often forget to shift the tense back ('He said he can' should be 'he could'), keep the original pronouns and time words ('I am tired today' reported as 'he was tired today'), or leave the quotes in ('He said "I am tired"'). Using 'said' where 'told' fits, and dropping 'that' inconsistently, also weaken the report. The core rule is backshift: present becomes past when you retell what someone said.
Try This: A Quick Practice
Say a sentence out loud: 'I will go tomorrow'. Now report it as if it happened yesterday: 'He said he would go the next day'. Practise with 'can/could', 'am/was', 'have/had'. Notice pronouns and time words move too. SpeakNow's direct-and-indirect-speech exercise has you say both forms aloud, which is the fastest way to make backshifting automatic instead of a translation chore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?▼
Direct quotes exact words with quotes ('I am late'). Indirect reports them, usually shifting tense back ('He said he was late'). Both are useful for storytelling.
Why does tense shift in reported speech?▼
Because the original moment is in the past when you report it: 'I am' said yesterday becomes 'he was'. This backshift is the core rule of indirect speech.
Do I always need 'that' in reported speech?▼
No. 'He said (that) he was tired' — 'that' is optional in speech and common to drop.