Define and give some examples of reported speech of the English Language.
Reported speech is when one person conveys what another person has said without quoting their exact words. It involves using reporting verbs (such as said, told, remarked) and changing the tense and pronouns to reflect the new context. Reported speech is often used in writing or in conversation to relay information or conversations that have taken place.
Reported speech is a way of reporting what someone else has said without using their exact words. It involves changing the tense, pronouns, and other elements of the original statement to fit the context in which it is being reported. Reported speech is often introduced by verbs such as “said,” “told,” “asked,” or “explained.” It is commonly used in writing and conversation to convey information or quotes from others.
1. Direct speech – She said, “I am going to the store.”
2. Indirect speech – She said that she was going to the store.
3. Question – He asked, “Are you coming with us?”
4. Command – The teacher told the students, “Sit down and be quiet.”
The characteristics of reported speech include
1. Changes in pronouns
Pronouns in reported speech often change according to the point of view of the speaker in the reporting clause.
2. Changes in verb tense
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the verb tenses in the reported speech shift back as well.
3. Changes in time expressions
Time expressions also shift according to the perspective of the speaker in the reporting clause.
4. Changes in adverbs and adjectives
Adverbs and adjectives may also change in reported speech to reflect the speaker’s perspective.
5. Changes in modals and auxiliary verbs
Modals and auxiliary verbs are also subject to changes in reported speech.
6. Changes in reported questions and commands
Questions and commands are transformed into indirect forms in reported speech.
7. Quoting and reporting verbs
Reported speech often involves the use of verbs such as “say,” “tell,” “ask,” “reply,” etc., to introduce the reported speech.
Overall, reported speech serves to convey information relayed by someone else, while maintaining the speaker’s perspective and context.