Indirect quotations are restatements of someone’s words that do not use their exact phrasing. They are typically introduced by a reporting verb, such as “said,” “told,” or “explained,” and they use third-person pronouns and past tense verbs. Indirect quotations are often used to summarize or paraphrase someone’s speech, or to provide background information in a narrative. They can also be used to distance the writer from the speaker’s words, or to create a more formal or objective tone.
Indirect Quotation
An indirect quotation reports what someone said without directly quoting them. It typically uses reporting verbs like “said,” “stated,” or “claimed” and changes pronouns and verb tenses to match the narrator’s perspective.
Structure of an Indirect Quotation
- Reporting Verb: e.g., said, stated, claimed, declared
- Subject: Person who spoke
- Reported Speech: What was said, using quotation marks
Example:
- Direct Quotation: “I will not return,” said the traveler.
- Indirect Quotation: The traveler said they would not return.
Reporting Verb Choices
- Neutral: said, stated, mentioned
- Positive: agreed, claimed, insisted
- Negative: denied, refused, disagreed
Pronoun and Tense Changes
- Pronouns: Change pronouns to match the narrator’s perspective.
- Tenses:
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Past Simple → Past Perfect
- Future Simple → Future Perfect
Table of Pronoun and Tense Changes
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| I | He/She/They |
| You | He/She/They |
| We | We/They |
| Here | There |
| Now | Then |
| Today | That day |
| Yesterday | The day before |
| Next week | The following week |
Punctuation
- No quotation marks
- Use “that” before the reported speech if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
- Use a comma after the reporting verb.
Example:
- The professor declared, “The exam is difficult.”
- The professor declared that the exam was difficult.
Example of Indirect Quotation in a Paragraph
The mayor addressed the crowd, “We are facing a difficult time, but we must overcome it together.” In his speech, the mayor stated that the city was in a challenging situation and needed to work as a team to persevere. He urged the citizens to stay strong and support each other.
Question 1:
What is the definition of indirect quotation?
Answer:
Indirect quotation, also known as reported speech, is a way of conveying what someone said or wrote without directly quoting their exact words.
Question 2:
How does indirect quotation differ from direct quotation?
Answer:
Unlike direct quotation which uses quotation marks and maintains the original speaker’s tone, indirect quotation paraphrases the speaker’s words and neutralizes their tone.
Question 3:
What are the grammatical changes involved in indirect quotation?
Answer:
Indirect quotation requires grammatical changes, such as:
– Converting present tense in direct speech to past tense in indirect speech
– Changing personal pronouns and possessive adjectives to match the sentence’s new context
Hey there, hope this clears up what indirect quotation is all about. Thanks for stopping by! If you’re craving more linguistic knowledge, be sure to swing back later. We’ve got a treasure trove of language-loving articles waiting for you. Until then, stay curious and keep those conversations clear and concise!