Indirect and direct speech in English: what's the difference?

Direct and indirect speech are two forms of the same thing – speech . However, they are used in different contexts to say exactly the same thing, in different ways. For example, if someone told you that someone else said something then you would be hearing direct speech and if someone told you that someone else had said something then you would be hearing indirect speech. In English speaking countries there are different conventions about which form to use in what contexts. That's why there can often be a difference between what native speakers do and what non-native speakers do!

The difference between the two types of speech

In indirect speech, we use a verb such as said or asked to report what somebody else said. In this sentence, said is used to report what Mary said: 

Mary said that she would come. 

In direct speech, we quote someone's exact words. This sentence quotes Mary directly: 

Mary said that she would come.

How to identify them

Direct speech is when a person says something. For example, I said that I want to do this. Indirect speech is when someone tells someone else what they said. For example, He told me he wants to do this.

When you should use each type

Direct speech is when you are quoting someone. Indirect speech is when you are paraphrasing or summarizing what somebody else said. You should use indirect speech when paraphrasing to avoid repetition, because it can get tedious for readers to see the same thing stated over and over again. You should also use indirect speech if you're trying to be polite or sensitive because it allows you to omit or change things that were said with bad intentions.

Difficulties that come with switching between them

The main difficulty with indirect vs. direct speech is that when you switch between them, it can be hard to keep track of who said what. This can happen if you're translating from one language to another or if you're writing fiction or non-fiction. It's also difficult because it can make it hard for your readers to understand your characters. In general, indirect speech tends to be more formal than direct speech, but this isn't always the case. For example, an email might have a formal tone but still use indirect speech because people generally prefer not to say something directly that could offend someone else.

Mistakes people make while transitioning from indirect to direct

The easiest way to tell if a sentence is indirect or direct speech is to look at who's speaking. The first word of an indirect quote will be 'he said', 'she asked', etc. Direct quotes always start with 'he said' or 'she said'. To make it easier, if you can replace the verb with said, then it is a direct quote. If not, then it's an indirect quote.

Tips to improve your writing skills

1. Make sure you are clear about your topic sentence. 

2. Identify your thesis statement. 

3. Use a concluding paragraph to summarize your main points.

How to tell if a specific sentence is correct

The next time you read a sentence, pause for a moment and ask yourself if it is an indirect or direct quote. If it is a direct quote, it should be followed by quotation marks. If not, then it is considered to be an indirect quote. The only exception is when you are quoting someone else within your own sentence.