Direct and Indirect Speech in English
The English language distinguishes between discours direct (direct speech) and discours indirect (indirect speech) when reporting what someone has said. This page outlines the fundamental differences and rules for transforming direct speech into indirect speech.
Direct Speech
Direct speech repeats the exact words spoken, enclosed in quotation marks.
Example: "I am going to the store," she said.
Indirect Speech
Indirect speech rephrases the original statement without quotation marks, often changing pronouns, verbs, and adverbs.
Example: She said that she was going to the store.
Introductory Verbs
Several verbs can introduce reported speech:
- say/tell (dire)
- explain (expliquer)
- ask (demander)
- answer (répondre)
- wonder (se demander)
- hear from (entendre)
Highlight: The choice of introductory verb can affect the structure of the indirect speech sentence.
Tense Changes
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, tenses often shift:
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Past Simple → Past Perfect
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Future → Conditional
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Vocabulary: The tableau concordance des temps discours direct indirect (tense concordance table for direct and indirect speech) is a useful tool for understanding these shifts.
Pronoun Changes
Pronouns often change in indirect speech:
- "I" becomes "he" or "she"
- "you" becomes "he," "she," or "they"
- Possessive adjectives change accordingly (my → his/her, your → his/her/their)
Definition: Discours indirect libre (free indirect speech) is a narrative technique that blends the character's thoughts with the narrator's voice, often used in literature.
