Direct speech and reported speech

A Direct speech

Look at these examples of direct speech.

Trevor: I'm tired.

Wasn't it Greta Garbo who said, 'I want to be alone'?

'But I don't love you, Henry,' replied Claire.

We can show that words are direct speech by putting them in quotation marks (''). Sometimes the words are put after the speaker's name, in the script of a play or film, for example. In a picture we can put the words in a speech bubble.

B Reported speech

In reported speech we give the meaning of what was said rather than the exact words.

Trevor says he's tired.

Wasn't it Greta Garbo who said that she wanted to be alone?

Claire replied that she didn't love Henry.

In reported speech we often change the actual words, e.g. 'I'm tired' —> he's tired.

Sometimes the verb tense changes, e.g. I want —> she wanted.

In reporting we use verbs such as announce, answer, explain, mention, promise, reply, say, suggest, tell. warn. The most common of these are say and tell (see C).

We can also report thoughts.

We think the meal was expensive. Nick knew Rita wanted to be with someone else.

When we report statements, we often use that, but we can sometimes leave it out.

You promised (that) you wouldn't be late.

Sarah was saying (that) there's a problem.

C Tell or say?

TELL

We use tell if we want to mention the hearer (the person spoken to).

Sarah's boss told her she could leave early. NOT Sarah's boss told she could leave early.

Daniel tells me he's ready.

We use tell without an indirect object (e.g. her, me) only in the expressions tell a story, tell the truth and tell a lie.

SAY

When we do not mention the hearer, we use say.

Sarah's boss said she could leave early. NOT Sarah's boss said her she could leave early.

Daniel says he's ready.

We sometimes use to after say, especially when the words are not reported.

The boss wanted to say something to Sarah. What did Matthew say to you?