Statements

Notes

Reported Speech – Statements: Complete Notes

Class 10 English Grammar | JAC Board Preparation

1. What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is used when we tell someone what another person said.

For example, suppose your friend Ravi says, "I am preparing for my examination."

Later, you tell your teacher what Ravi said:

Ravi said that he was preparing for his examination.

You have reported Ravi's words without repeating them exactly.

In English grammar, this is called reported speech or indirect speech.

2. Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

A. Direct Speech

Direct speech gives the speaker's exact words. These words are placed inside quotation marks.

Example: Riya said, "I am happy."

B. Indirect Speech

Indirect speech reports the meaning of the speaker's words without using quotation marks.

Example: Riya said that she was happy.

Difference Between Direct and Indirect Speech

3. What Is a Statement?

A statement is a sentence that gives information, expresses an opinion or describes a situation.

Statements may be affirmative or negative.

Affirmative Statement: She said, "I like English."

Negative Statement: She said, "I do not like noisy places."

When reporting statements, we commonly use reporting verbs such as said, told, explained, admitted and replied.

Remember: This lesson deals with statements. Questions, commands, requests and exclamations have some different reporting rules.

4. Parts of a Direct Speech Sentence

Consider this sentence:

Rohan said, "I am reading a book."

• Reporting Clause: Rohan said.
• Reporting Verb: said.
• Reported Words: I am reading a book.

In indirect speech, the reported words are usually introduced by "that".

Indirect: Rohan said that he was reading a book.

5. Basic Structure of Reported Statements

Direct Speech: Subject + said, "Statement."

Indirect Speech: Subject + said + (that) + reported statement.