direct and indirect speech

Direct and Indirect speech in English Grammar

direct and indirect speech

Read the following sentences :

A. The boy says, "I read in Barmi Bazar High School".

B. The boy says that he reads in Barmi Bazar High School. 

In the sentence A the speech of the boy is quoted in the exact words of the speaker.

Direct Speech or Direct Narration

The speech quoted in the exact words of the speaker is a Direct Speech or Direct Narration. It is always written within inverted commas. 

Note: The direct speech contains : 

a. Reporting speech : The boy says, 

b. Reporting verb : says 

c. Reported speech : "I read in Barmi Bazar High School." 

d. Verb of the reported speech : read 

Indirect Speech or Indirect Narration

In the sentence B the speech is reported in a narrative form without quoting the exact words of the speaker.

The speech reported in narrative form without quoting the exact words of the speaker is an Indirect Speech or Indirect Narration. 

Note : The reporting speech and the reported speech are joined by a linking word and the commas are omitted.

Remember: Narration is of two kinds. They are:

(a) Direct Narration or Direct speech 

(b) Indirect Narration or Indirect Speech

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