indirect speech
C1Technical / Academic
Definition
Meaning
A grammatical structure for reporting what someone has said, without quoting their exact words, typically involving changes to pronouns, tenses, and other deictic elements.
The linguistic concept and practice of relaying or summarizing spoken or written content, often distinguished from direct quotation. In discourse analysis, it can also refer to the representation of speech, thought, or writing from a narrator's perspective.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Specifically refers to a grammatical transformation (also known as reported speech). In broader contexts, it can imply a lack of directness or transparency in communication.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in grammatical definition or application. The term itself is identical. Minor pedagogical preferences may exist (e.g., slightly greater use of 'reported speech' in UK materials).
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties when referring to grammar. In non-grammatical contexts (e.g., 'indirect speech about the plans'), it can carry a slightly negative connotation of evasiveness in both regions.
Frequency
The term is used with equal frequency in linguistic, academic, and pedagogical contexts. 'Reported speech' is a common synonym in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + [reporting verb] + (that) + [reported clause][Subject] + [reporting verb] + [wh-word] + [reported clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when summarizing meetings or discussions: 'In the minutes, the CEO's comments were recorded in indirect speech.'
Academic
A core term in linguistics and language teaching: 'The study analysed the acquisition of indirect speech in L2 learners.'
Everyday
Used when explaining how someone said something: 'She told me in indirect speech that she was running late, not that she said "I'm late."'
Technical
Precise grammatical analysis: 'Indirect speech requires backshift in a past tense reporting context.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The journalist skilfully indirected the sensitive remarks to avoid causing offence.
- (Note: 'indirect' as a verb is rare and non-standard; 'reported' is used instead)
American English
- The spokesperson indirected the question, focusing on broader achievements.
- (Note: 'indirect' as a verb is rare and non-standard; 'paraphrased' is used instead)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My teacher says we will have a test tomorrow. (This is indirect speech.)
- He told me his name is Alex.
- She said that she was feeling tired after the long journey.
- They explained that the museum opens at ten o'clock.
- The manager announced that all staff would be required to attend the training session next week.
- He inquired whether I had finished the report yet.
- The historian contended that the treaty had been misinterpreted for decades, a point she reported indirectly through several primary sources.
- Critics have suggested that the government's indirect speech on the matter amounts to a deliberate obfuscation of the facts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think INDIRECT = IN-DIRECT-ION. You're not going straight to the original words; you're taking a different direction by reporting them.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A PATH (Direct speech is a straight path; indirect speech is a diverted/relayed path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'косвенная речь', which is the correct translation but may be associated with different pedagogical examples (e.g., comma usage differs).
- Russian learners may overuse 'that' after all reporting verbs or incorrectly maintain the original word order from Russian indirect questions.
Common Mistakes
- Failing to backshift tenses when the reporting verb is in the past (e.g., 'He said he *is* here' instead of '...he *was* here').
- Incorrect pronoun change (e.g., 'She told me she would bring *her* book' when reporting 'I will bring *my* book.').
- Mixing direct and indirect speech in one sentence (e.g., 'He asked me what time *is it*?').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key rule for transforming direct speech into indirect speech when the reporting verb is in the past tense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, using quotation marks (e.g., She said, 'I am busy.'). Indirect speech reports the meaning without the exact words, often with grammatical changes (e.g., She said that she was busy.).
No, 'that' is often optional, especially in informal speech and writing (e.g., He said (that) he was coming). It is more common to include it in formal writing.
You use 'if' or 'whether' as the linking word. The reported clause uses statement word order (subject + verb). Example: Direct: 'Are you ready?' -> Indirect: She asked if/whether I was ready.
Tense backshift is often not applied when the reported situation is still true or relevant at the time of reporting (e.g., 'She said the Earth *revolves* around the sun'), or when the reporting verb is in a present tense (e.g., 'He *says* he *is* tired').