English Language Lesson 4 - Direct and Indirect Speech

Before you know how to classify the different types of speech, i believe you should know what a sentence is.

​​Sentences are set of words that are put together to mean something.

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A sentence usually contains 2 things:

• ​A subject

• ​A predicate (verb + direct and indirect object)

Direct speech is when we write the actual words that someone says.

   It is also known as spoken words written in speech marks.​

·       Speech marks or Quotation marks go at the beginning and the end of the spoken words.

·       Punctuation at the end of the spoken words goes before the speech mark.

“What is that?” asked Niima.

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 We begin a new line when a different person speaks.

“What time is it?” asked Hanif.

Ummukhutum looked at her wristwatch and replied, “Three o’clock.”

​This is when we write about what someone has said.

 Indirect speech is a report on what someone else said or wrote without,

·       The use of the actual spoken words.

·       The use of speech marks.

 Indirect speech is also called reported speech

​      A lady asked Gina if she could tell her the way to the railway station. Gina said that she didn’t. She suggested the lady go into the shop and ask Mr. Fold. She was sure he would know. The lady thanked Gina and said she would ask in the shop.

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​Notice that in the short paragraph above, there are no quotation or speech marks and the story is summarized.