Question
Forms
Direct speech and indirect
speech are ways people express how something was said. Direct speech also
called quoted speech is said exactly how the speaker initially spoke the words.
Indirect speech also called reported speech is reported back not using the
exact words as the original speaker.
Reporting
Speech Questions
Direct speech questions
asking “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, “why”, and “how” can be rephrased in
indirect speech format. Question marks are not used in indirect speech formats.
|
Direct Speech |
Indirect Speech |
|
"Who are you talking
to?" she asked. |
She asked me who I was
talking to. |
|
My mom asked me, "What are
you doing?" |
My mom asked me what I was
doing. |
|
Craig asked, "When are we
leaving?" |
Craig asked whenwe were leaving. |
|
My dad asked, "Whereare you
meeting?" |
My dad asked wherewe were
meeting. |
|
My sister asked me, "Why are
you so sad?" |
My sister asked me why I was
so sad. |
|
"How are you doing?"
Jane asked. |
Jane asked how I was doing. |
Reporting Speech Yes/No Questions
Direct speech questions asking for
"yes" or "no" answers can be rephrased in indirect speech
format. "Yes or no" questions are reformatted by using
"if". The format for indirect speech is "ask + if + clause".
|
Direct Speech |
Indirect Speech |
|
He asked, "Do you
speak English?" |
He asked if I
spoke English. |
|
My mom asked me, "Are you
hungry?" |
My mom asked me if I
was hungry. |
|
My mom asked, "Haveyou
eaten?" |
My mom asked if I
had eaten. |
|
Sally asked, "Can you
ride a bike?" |
Sally asked if I
could I ride a bike. |
|
John asked, "Is it
raining?" |
John asked if it
was raining. |
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