Indirect speech meaning

Indirect speech is the representation of someone else's words in a different form.


Indirect speech definitions

Word backwards tceridni hceeps
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "indirect speech" is a noun.
Syllabic division in-di-rect speech
Plural The plural of indirect speech is indirect speeches.
Total letters 14
Vogais (2) i,e
Consonants (8) n,d,r,c,t,s,p,h

When it comes to reporting what someone else has said, we often use indirect speech. This method allows us to convey the information without quoting the speaker verbatim. Indirect speech is commonly used in writing, journalism, and everyday conversation to summarize or discuss what someone else has said.

Why Use Indirect Speech?

Indirect speech is used for several reasons, including maintaining a formal tone, condensing information, and clarifying complex ideas. By paraphrasing what someone has said, we can avoid the need for lengthy quotations and make the text more concise.

How to Form Indirect Speech

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, it is essential to pay attention to the tense changes, pronoun changes, and word order adjustments that are necessary. For example, if someone says, "I am going to the store," in direct speech, it would be reported as "She said that she was going to the store" in indirect speech.

Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

One critical element of indirect speech is the use of reporting verbs to introduce the quoted speech. Common reporting verbs include "say," "tell," "ask," and "inform." These verbs play a crucial role in indicating who is speaking and add context to the reported statement.

Overall, indirect speech is a valuable tool for summarizing and discussing what others have said. By following the guidelines for forming indirect speech and selecting appropriate reporting verbs, writers can effectively convey information in a clear and concise manner.


Indirect speech Examples

  1. She said she would call me later.
  2. He told me he was busy with work.
  3. They mentioned they might be running late.
  4. The teacher explained that the test would be next week.
  5. My friend asked if I could help him move.
  6. She inquired whether the store was still open.
  7. He stated that he had already finished the project.
  8. They mentioned they were excited about the upcoming trip.
  9. The boss asked if we could work overtime this week.
  10. She admitted that she had made a mistake.


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  • Updated 06/04/2024 - 18:20:47