1. Grammar Presentation: Direct
and Indirect Speech
Based on Pages 380-381 in Focus on
Grammar, Taking Examples from the
Readings on Urban Legends

2. Direct and Indirect Speech: Statements
Direct Speech
Subject Reporting Verb Indirect Statement
The girl said, “It’s too long a story to tell you just now.”
The girl said, “I’ll explain everything when we get there.”
The doctor said, “A young girl gave me this address.”
The old man said, “My daughter was killed at that intersection almost
two years ago.”

3. Direct and Indirect Speech: You can
also begin with the quotation:
Direct Speech
The girl said, “It’s too long a story to tell you just now.”
“It’s too long a story to tell you just now,” the girl said.

4. Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions
Direct Speech: Wh- Questions
Subject Reporting Verb Direct Statement
The doctor asked, “What is a youngster like you doing
out here all alone?”
Snopes asked, “How many children have really been
by strangers on Hallowe’en?”

5. Direct and Indirect Speech: The
Imperative
Direct Speech
The doctor asked, “What is a youngster like you doing out here
all alone?”
“What is a youngster like you doing out here all alone?” the
doctor asked.

6. Direct and Indirect Speech: Statements
Indirect Speech
Subject Reporting Noun/Pronoun Indirect Statement
Verb
The girl said (that) it was too long a story to tell
him just then.
told the doctor
The girl said (that) she would explain everything
when they got there.
told The doctor
The said (that) the girl had given him that
doctor address.
told the old man
The old said (that) his daughter had been killed at
man that intersection almost two
told him years before.

7. Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions
Indirect Speech: Wh - Questions
Subject Reporting (Indirect Direct Statement
Verb Object)
The doctor asked (the girl) what a youngster like her was
doing out there all alone.
Snopes asked how many children had really
been poisoned by strangers on
Hallowe’en.

8. Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions
Direct Speech: Yes/No Questions
Subject Reporting Verb Direct Statement
The National Kidney asked, “Has anyone been a victim of a real
Foundation kidney theft?”
My friend asked, “Is the ‘Lights Out’ story really true?
I asked, “Is it possible to die from spider
bites in your hairdo?”

9. Direct and Indirect Speech: Questions
Indirect Speech: Yes/No Questions
Subject Reporting (Indirect Direct Statement
Verb Object)
The National asked if anyone had been a
Kidney OR victim of a real kidney
Foundation whether theft.
My friend asked (me) the “Lights Out” story
was/is really true.
Snopes asked (Snopes) it is really possible to die
from spider bites in your
hairdo.

10. Verb Changes in Indirect Speech
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Verb
He said, “I investigate the He (that) investigated The
story.” said he story
am investigating was investigating
investigated had investigated
have investigated
had investigated
will investigate would investigate
can investigate could investigate
should investigate should
investigate

11. Other Changes in Direct Speech

12. Direct Speech Indirect Speech
PronounsOther Changes in Indirect Speech
“Andy, are you listening?” Mary Mary asked Andy if he was listening.
asked.
Possessives The boss said, “Sue, bring your The boss told Sue to bring her
camera.” camera.
This “Can I have this newspaper?” Sam Sam asked if he could have that
asked. newspaper.
Here Mrs. Brown asked, “Will you be Mrs. Brown asked if I would be there.
here?”
Ago “We came a year ago,” Jim said. Jim said that they had come one year
previously/before.
Now Bob asked, “Are you leaving now?” Boy asked if I was leaving then.
Today “I need to work today,” Jack said. Jack said that he needed to work that
day.
Yesterday My friend asked, “Did you call My friend asked whether I had called
yesterday?” the day before.
Tomorrow “Are you arriving tomorrow?” Sarah Sarah asked whether we were arriving
asked. the next day.

13. Direct and Indirect Speech: Imperative
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
His mother said, “Be careful!” His mother said to be careful.
His mother told him to be careful.
His mother warned him to be careful.
He said, “Please sit down.” He asked me to sit down.
He invited me to sit down.
Snopes.com said, “Don’t do it.” Snopes.com said not to do it.