CAT: Lesson - Grammar - Indirect Speech Review

Indirect Speech Review

When reporting the words spoken by a person, a speaker or writer has two options:

1. Report the Speech Directly (called Direct Speech)
   • A form of reporting in which the exact words of the speaker are recorded.
   • In English, a speech act which is direct is marked with quotation marks.
2. Report the Speech Indirectly (called Indirect Speech)
   • A form of reporting in which the words of the speaker are paraphrased or described.
   • In English, an act of speech which is indirect is never marked with quotation marks.

The following examples demonstrate this difference:

• Example 1: Statements
  • Direct: The general said, "We will attack at dawn."
  • Indirect: The general said that we would attack at dawn.
• Example 2: Questions
  • Direct: I ask a question, "Will we attack at dawn?"
  • Indirect: I am asking whether we will attack at dawn.
• Example 3: Commands
  • Direct: The emperor commanded his troops, "Attack at dawn!"
  • Indirect: The emperor commanded his troops to attack at dawn.

What do the three examples of direct speech have in common? How do they differ from indirect speech?

Review the Types

Below is a review of the three main types of indirect speech: statements, questions and commands. Please review this material carefully before continuing in the course.

Indirect Speech Acts

Type	Structure	Direct Version - English	Indirect Version - English	Latin
Statement	Reports a statement Accusative subject + infinitive verb	He says, "I did it."	He says that he did it.	Dicit se id fecisse.
Question	Reports a question Interrogative + subjunctive verb	He wonders, "Who did it?"	He wonders who did it.	Miratur quis id fecerit.
Command	Reports a command ut/ne + subjunctive verb	He says, "Let them do it."	He tells us to do it.	Imperat nobis ut id faciamus.