English and Language · Topic 48 of 66

Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct speech repeats someone's exact words inside quotation marks. Indirect speech reports what was said without quotation marks, often using said that.

💡 Fun fact

Direct: She said, I am tired. Indirect: She said that she was tired.

All about Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct speech repeats someone’s exact words inside quotation marks. Indirect speech reports what was said without quotation marks, often using words such as that.

Changing from direct to indirect speech often changes tenses and pronouns.

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Real-life uses of Direct and Indirect Speech

Writing reports of conversations
Retelling stories
Understanding news writing

Frequently asked questions about Direct and Indirect Speech

What is direct speech?

The exact words someone said inside quotation marks.

What is removed in indirect speech?

The quotation marks.