English Grammar and Composition chapter 13: Speech

13 Speech

13/1: Basics of Changing Speech

A . Read the texts below.

Context 1

Monika said, “You’re late!”

(reporting speech) (Reported speech)

Ismail said, “I expected that you would come on time”.

(reporting speech) (Reported speech)

Farhana said, “We have been waiting for you for a long time.

We are hungry. ”.

(reporting speech) (Reported speech)

“I’m really sorry. I’m hungry too. Let’s go to a restaurant”, said Soma.

(Reported speech) (reporting speech)

Direct speech

Context 2

We told Mithun that we were going to Sagardari to Michael’s birthplace. She could join us.

Mithun said that without speaking to her mom she wouldn’t be able to decide anything.

Abid responded that was ridiculous as they all were grown up.

Mithun replied that didn’t mean they were out of any bindings.

Indirect speech

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What differences do you find between the statements in Context 1 and Context 2?

Grammar Point

A reporting speech is the statement of the person who reports about something. We use reported speech when we are speaking or writing about something that another person said.

A reported speech is the statement what is being reported by a speaker. This statement is made by one person but reported by another person.

In direct speech we say exactly what was said or thought by others using verbs like said, thought, told shouted, etc. (as in Context 1).

The common feature of direct speech is

inverted comma (“….”) before and after the speech (made by other than who is reporting).

When we report what someone is saying or thinking now we use indirect speech after says, thinks, hopes etc. (as in Context2). Here we often use that but that is not obligatory.

Example

I was speaking with Ranjan. He says (that) he has just left Barishal.

We also use this form when we say about something that is always true.

eg. He says he doesn’t like band music.

or

Dipika says we can create a better world by loving each other.

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B. Now read these sentences.

We told Mithun that we were going to Sagardari to Michael’s birthplace.

She could join us.

Mithun told us that without speaking to her mom she wouldn’t be able to decide anything.

Abid responded that was ridiculous as they all were grown up.

Mithun replied that didn’t mean they were out of any bindings.

Abid hoped that her mom would finally allow Mithun to go.

I felt that wouldn’t be so easy.

However, we all wished good luck to Mithun.

Grammar Point

We use said to report someone’s words/statements

We use told when we make its clear who the speaker was speaking to.

We can use verbs that express the feeling of the speaker when we report what someone has said or thought. For example, hope, feel, be afraid, want, wish.

C . Read the following conversations. How does the reported speech change when they are made indirect from direct?

Direct

Boby : Hi Probir, It is good to see you in Facebook.

Probir : Hi Boby. Good to see you too. How are you?

Boby : I’m good. Well, I’ve got three tickets for the cricket match.

Would you like to go with me?

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Probir : Hmmm… I have an appointment with my doctor. I’m sorry.

Boby : Okay. Next time.

Indirect

Boby greeted Probir and told him that was good to see him on Facebook.

In exchange Probir also greeted Boby and told that was good to see him too. He asked Boby how he was.

Boby replied that he was good. He also said that he had three tickets for cricket match. He asked Probir if he would like to go with him.

With hesitation Probir said that he had an appointment with his doctor. He was sorry.

Boby replied that was okay and hoped they would go together next time.

In indirect speech we report things that people say. We often use said and change the tense of the verb of the speaker used in the following way:

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Grammar Point

In informal speech we sometimes use the same tense that the person used in the direct speech. Besides, when we want to say something that someone says about future we use the same tense used in the direct speech

Example

Hannan: I’m going to Bandarban tomorrow.

Hannan says that he is going to Bandarban the next day.

Activity 1

A bus was going from Dhaka to Khulna. Suddenly it stopped on the way and couldn’t move for a long time. Report what people said using the correct reported speech forms of the words in the parenthesis. The first one is done for you.

1. The guide said that he was sorry for the delay. (I’m sorry)

2. The driver said _______________________________ due to a road accident ahead. (‘All traffic is suspended’)

3. One passenger sitting next to me said _______________________________ to get stuck for hours. (‘It is horrible’)

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4. I said _______________________________________________ a wash room as well. (‘I am hungry. I need…’)

5. Another woman from my back said _______________________ for her connecting bus. (‘I’ll be late’)

6. Some children cried that _____________________ outside. (‘ We are fed up and want to go’)

7. A senior citizen said _____________________. (‘My pressure is rising up’)

8. The driver said that _____________________________________________________ last week too. (‘I’m so sorry but the same thing happened’)

Activity 2

Suppose last year you met a friend of yours, Mathin, after many years. These are some information about Mathin that she herself gave you.

Figure

Labels: 1. I’m living in California with my uncle.; 2. My father died a few years ago.; 3. My mom is living here with my elder brothers.; 4. I came to Bangladesh the day before yesterday.; 5. Tomorrow I’ll go to our school to see teachers there.; 6. I always miss Bangladesh, my friends and family members; 7. I’ve regular contact with Mim and Raja.; 8. I’ve got some friends in California but friends here are special.; 9. I’m going to stay here for a month.; 10. I can come to your house on Saturday. Description: A photo of a smiling young woman wearing a layered beaded necklace, standing in front of a wall. Ten orange text boxes surround her, each joined by a line to a point on the photo.

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You met another friend, Lailee, in the evening. Use reported speech to tell Lailee what Mathin told you about her life. The first one is done for you.

1. Mathin said that she was living in California with her uncle.

2. ---

3. ---

4. ---

5. ---

6. ---

7. ---

8. ---

9. ---

10. ---

13/2: Passage Narration

A. Read the texts below to see how direct speeches are converted to indirect speech when they are placed in a passage which is commonly known as ‘passage narration’.

Direct speech

Sales person: How can I help you?

Customer: Thanks. I’m looking for one of my friends working here.

Sales person: What’s his or her name?

Customer: She is Sohana. Do you know her?

Sales person: Sure. And your name, please?

Indirect speech

The sales person asked the customer how she could help him (the customer). The customer thanked her and told her that he was looking for one of his

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friends working there. The sales person asked what his friend’s name was. The customer replied that she was Sohana. He also asked whether she (sales person) knew Sohana. The sales person answered in the affirmative and asked his name politely.