Direct vs Reported Speech - Tutorial

Direct Speech vs Reported Speech

Direct speech

¡ Direct speech repeats or quotes, WORD FOR WORD.

¡ We need to place these words between inverted commas (“……….”).

¡ We may be reporting what is being said NOW or telling someone later about the PREVIOUS conversation.

Reported speech

¡ Is usually used to indicate something that was said in the past. Hence, we need to change the tense of the words spoken.

¡ Use reporting verbs such as: say, tell, ask.

¡ Inverted commas ARE NOT USED.

Converting direct speech to reported speech

Things to consider

1. Pronoun (unless you are talking about yourself)
2. Change of place reference
3. Change of time reference
4. Tense
5. The use of the reporting verbs

Change in pronoun

¡ In general, personal pronouns are changed to the third person singular or plural, except when speakers report their own words:

¡ I/ me/ my/ mine

¡ You/your/ yours

¡ He/him/her/hers

¡ We/ us/our/ours

Change in time and place reference

Direct Speech	Indirect/ Reported Speech
Today	that day
Yesterday	the day before
The day before yesterday	2 days before
Tomorrow	the next/ following day
The day after tomorrow	in 2 days’ time/ 2 days later
Next week/month/ year	The following week/ month/year
Last week/month/year	The previous week/month/year
Ago	Before
This (for time)	That
This/ that (adjectives)	the

Tense change (backshift)

ORIGINAL TENSES	NEW TENSES IN REPORTED SPEECH
Simple Present She said, "It's cold."	Past Simple She said it was cold.
Present continuous She said, "I'm teaching English online."	Past continuous She said she was teaching English online.
Present Perfect She said, "I've been on the web since 1999."	Past Perfect She said she had been on the web since 1999.
Present Perfect Continuous She said, "I've been teaching English for seven years."	Past Perfect Continuous She said she had been teaching English for seven years.
Past simple She said, "I taught online yesterday."	Past perfect She said she had taught online the day before.
Past continuous She said, "I was teaching earlier."	Past perfect continuous She said she had been teaching earlier.
Past perfect She said, "The lesson had already started when he arrived."	Past perfect NO CHANGE - She said the lesson had already started when he arrived.
Past perfect continuous She said, "I'd already been teaching for five minutes."	Past perfect continuous NO CHANGE - She said she'd already been teaching for five minutes.

Selecting your reporting verb

Each sentence is uttered with a specific function.

For example :

Pearl (to Alexa): Stop disturbing Max or I will beat you.

Reported speech : Pearl warned Alexa to stop disturbing Max or she would beat her.

Hopes, intentions, promises

¡ We need to use an appropriate reporting verb (ex: hope, threaten, guarantee, swear) followed by a THAT clause or a TO-infinitive

Orders

¡ When we want to report an order or request, we can use verbs like ‘tell or command, order, warn, ask, advise, invite, beg, teach, forbid’ with a TO clause.

Requests

¡ Request for objects are reported by using this pattern: ask for+ object

Suggestions

¡ Verbs to suggest (suggest, insist, recommend, demand, request propose) are usually reported with a that-clause and that/ should are optional.

Questions

¡ Normal word order is used in reported question, that is the subject comes before the verb, and it is not necessary to use do or did.

¡ Ex: Where does Satoru live?

¡ She asked him where Satoru lived

¡ This type of question is reported by using “ask+ if/whether” clause.

¡ Ex: Do you speak Japanese?

¡ He asked me if I spoke Japanese.

¡ Ex: Is it raining?

¡ He asked me if it was raining.

¡ This type of question is reported by using “ask+ question word+ clause” and it requires the normal word order with change in tenses.

¡ Ex: “What is your name?” Alan asked the young girl.

¡ Alan asked what her name was.

¡ Ex: “What time does the plane arrive?” Satoru asked.

¡ Satoru asked what time the plane arrived

Exceptions

¡ You do not need to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the present or if the original statement was about something that is still true.

¡ Ex: The students lamented that English is a difficult language to master.

¡ Modal verbs do not change in reported speech, might, could, would, should, ought to.

¡ Ex: My mother said, “it could be difficult to find a new apartment in this area.”

¡ Ex: My mother said that it could be difficult to find a new apartment in that area.

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules,

there are further aspects that you should keep

in mind, for example:

¡ main clauses connected with and / but

¡ tense of the introductory clause

¡ reported speech for difficult tenses

¡ exceptions for backshift

¡ requests with must, should, ought to and let’s

Verb Tense Consistency - Tutorial

Verb tense consistency

Rules in verb tense consistency

Present tense

1. The present tense may be followed by another present tense
2. The present tense may be followed by a past tense.
3. The present tense may be followed by the present perfect,
4. The present can be used with the future tense.
5. The present tense should NOT be used with the past perfect unless a suitable tense follows the past perfect.

Past tense

1. The simple past can be followed by another simple past.
2. The simple past may be used with the past progressive.
3. The simple past can be used with the future.
4. The simple past should NOT be used with the present perfect (although in informal speech, it is sometimes used)

Examples

Present tense

1. Plants do not just grow to beautify the earth but are also vital to all life on earth because they give us oxygen. (all three ideas are understood to be facts)
2. Scientists believe that the first river terrapins were brought from Indonesia by the first Sultan of Perak (the scientist will continue to believe, but the actual event of bringing in the river terrapins is a completed action)
3. The community values pearl oysters highly and has cultivated such oysters for more than a thousand years because of the pearls that develop in them. (the society will continue to value pearl oysters, and the action of cultivating the oysters started in the past and will continue on)
4. Scientists predict that social networking sites will become a powerful medium of communication by the end of this decade.
5. Alexander insists that he had seen the other car. (WRONG) – there should be another event after “he had seen the other car”. (the past perfect can only be used when there are two events in the past) CORRECTION : Alexander insisted that he had seen the other car.

Past tense

1. The need to organize a clean-up campaign became more urgent after about one-third of the residents of Kampung Congkak came down with dengue. (both are completed events)
2. The police were curious to know if Alex was speeding at the time of the horrific accident. (both are completed events)
3. The suppliers told Mr. Tan that the new shipment of Blackberries will arrive the week after next. (the action of telling is completed, but the arrival has yet to happen)
4. She reported that she has been running nine miles every morning. (informal speech therefore acceptable)
1. Other options

i. She reports that she runs nine miles every morning.

ii. She reported that she had been running nine miles every morning.

Summary of verb tense consistency

Common combinations

Present tense

• Simple present + simple present
• Simple present + simple past
• Simple present + simple future
• Simple present + present perfect

Past tense

• Past simple + past simple
• Past simple + past continuous
• Past simple + future simple

Modal Verbs - Tutorial

Modal Verbs

Rules :

1. Modal verbs cannot be inflected. They do not have –ing or –ed endings.
1. Example :

i. She should walk to school. (√)

ii. She should walking to school. (×)

iii. She should walked to school. (×)

2. Modal verbs can be made negative by adding a “not” or “n’t”.
1. Example :

i. She might not make it on time.

ii. Eliza shouldn’t have answered the door.

iii. Jeremy wouldn’t agree to your suggestion.

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tense or future tense.
1. Example :

i. She woulded attend classes. (×)

ii. Alex will can graduate from the training programme. (×)

4. Modal verbs are always followed by the basic form of the main verb or by be and have.
1. Example :

i. Blair will be in Paris this summer.

ii. Daniel might attend summer school.

iii. Nikita could take down the whole division

5. In question form, the modal is normally at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject and then by the basic form of the verb.
1. Example :

i. May I go to the library now?

ii. Should Alexis take Human Development this semester?

Common modal verbs and their meanings

Modal	Meaning
Can (present) Could (past) * will be able to (future)	Ability (Is able to)
Can/ could	Polite request
Can/ could	Offer
Can/ could	Possibility
Can (present) Could (past)	Permission
Could	Suggestion

Modal	Meaning
May/ might	Request (British form)
May	Give or refuse permission
May/ might	Possibility
Might	Suggestion

Modal	Meaning
Must	Certainty
Must	Obligation
Must	Strong recommendation

Modal	Meaning
Should/ ought to	Recommendation/ advice
Should be/ ought to be	Expectation
Shouldn’t	Suggestion
Should (not) have/ ought (not) to have	Regret
Should	Obligation

Modal	Meaning
Will/ shall	Future action
Will	Determination
Will	Make a promise

Modal	Meaning
Would (past)	Promise made
	Past habits
Would	Acceptance
	Polite request
	Promise made
	Conditional

Analysis - Mariah by Che Husna Azhari

Plot
Introduction : We are introduced to Mariah, who is seen by the women in the village as being the source of the problem.
Rising action : The Imam goes to Mariah’s stall for the first time and Cik Gu Nab reports what she sees (and hears) to Cik Yam. Cik Yam confronts Imam about his visit to the Kedai Merpati.
We also see the internal conflicts faced by the Imam, particularly in his feelings towards his first love and also Mariah
Climax : The Imam informs Cik Yam of his decision to take Mariah as his second wife.
Falling action : Cik Yam approves of Imam’s decision to take Mariah as his second wife.
Denouement : Mariah and the Imam get married.

Setting
Place – small village in Molo, Imam’s house, Mariah’s Kedai Merpati
Time – indefinite, though it seems to focus on what the community commonly does in the earlier half of the day (morning to early noon)
Social environment – a religious community steeped in traditions, very closely knitted, as seen by the women’s protective attitudes towards their their fellow sisters

Symbols
Nasi berlauk which is regarded as a symbol of Mariah’s desirability and how she is assumed to be a product to be consumed by the men
The nasi berlauk is also to a lesser extent seen as a symbol of a good housewife (this is as discussed by my students)
Short kebaya – a symbol of carnal temptation, a woman to be desired

Character
Cik Yam – loyal, good Muslim wife, virtuous, has good culinary skills, unbiased (as seen from the way she disregards all the gossip about Mariah)
Imam – religious leader, secretive (when it comes to his feelings about Mariah)
Mariah - independent
CIk Gu Leh
Cik Gu Nab

Point of view
Third person omniscient as we see the thoughts of Cik Yam, the Imam and to a lesser extent, Mariah at the end of the story

Tone
Confused : Cik Yam is confused when Cik Gu Nab reports how Mariah is a threat to the other women.
Shocked : When Cik Gu Nab accuses Mariah of enticing the men in the village
Nostalgic – when the Imam looks back at his past love
Sarcastic and hostile – when CIk Gu Nab reacts to Cik Yam’s comments about Mariah
Distressed – when Cik Yam is overwhelmed by distress upon hearing the Imam’s request
Theme
Humans, when faced with a dilemma, may sometimes give in to temptation.
Women are expected to resign to their fate.
Beautiful woman are often regarded as objects of desire.

Analysis - Lamb to the Slaughter

Brief summary of story
This story is about how a distraught wife murdered her husband, who had wanted to divorce her, and how she ‘cleverly’ covered her tracks.
Plot

Introduction
We were introduced to a docile, pregnant wife, Mary Maloney, who was anticipating her husband’s return from work.
Rising action
Her husband returned home and refused any offers from her. He finally broke the news to her, informing her, his decision to divorce her.
Climax
Mary Maloney killed him with a leg of lamb.
Falling action
She covered her tracks, by putting the leg of lamb in the oven, by going to the grocery shop to get an alibi, and called the police. The police came to investigate.
Denouement
Mary Maloney offered the leg of lamb to the sergeants and they literally ate/destroyed the evidence/ murder weapon.
Setting
Place :
A warm and clean room, with drawn curtains, 2 table lamps alight, a sideboard and some chairs.
A cellar with a deep freeze where the leg of lamb was kept.
The grocery shop where Mary bought some potatoes, peas and a slice of cheese cake.
The kitchen, where the sergeants had the leg of lamb for supper.

Time:
Evening, 5.00 p.m. when Patrick returned home from work.
Before 6.00 p.m., when Mary reached the grocery shop.
Nearly 9.00 p.m. when Mary offered the sergeants the whiskey.

Symbols
The lamb, signifies Patrick, who naively thought he could divorce his wife without any repercussions and was slaughtered as a result.
The lamb may also symbolize Mary who is regarded as a timid and meek housewife before she murders her husband
Character
Mary Maloney, protagonist, Main character, a round character, a docile wife who turned into a cruel murderer and a manipulator who tried to cover her tracks.
Patrick Maloney, Antagonist, Main character, an irresponsible husband who wanted to divorce his pregnant wife who was already pregnant.
Sam, the grocer, a minor character.
Jack Noonan, a minor character, a police sergeant, who was negligent in carrying his duties, as he drank whiskey and had supper at the crime scene, an unsuspecting person.
Point of view
3rd Person, limited omniscient, the whole story was seen via Mary Maloney’s point of view.

Tone
Ironic- the lamb that was supposed to be served as supper to nourish Patrick was in the end, the weapon to be used to kill him.

Tragic- how a couple, who is expecting their first child, end up hurting each other.
Comical – how at the end, the sergeants who were supposed to capture the murderer, unknowingly cooperated with her to destroy the evidence by eating up the murder weapon.

Theme
We should not reject the love shown to us, as rejection can lead to anger and bitter retaliation. (Love and revenge)

Analysis - Check-In by Surya Ramkumar

Brief summary of story
It is a story of how a village girl, who has gained success in her career, reminisces the journey that she took with her parents from their village to the airport in order to pursue her tertiary education in a bigger city, Singapore.
Plot

Introduction
We were introduced to Mrs Nair, who was walking towards the boarding gate, whose career was about to take a turn, to the first woman CEO of Biacorp or be fired from the company that she had been working for over 20 years. She suddenly remembered the time she first left her country 30 years ago, and how her parents sent her off at the airport.
Rising action
Internal conflict – Mrs Nair wanted to see the world, to be open and to be free yet she was truly scared, and had butterflies in her stomach. She even had to resist the urge to sneak out of the hotel and take the next train home.
External conflict (Mrs. Nair and her mother) – Amma was not very convinced that it was a great idea for her to go because she was a little girl.
Climax
The night before leaving where she felt an intense urge to sneak out of the hotel and take the next train home.
Falling action
Mrs Nair met 2 others who were travelling to the same place. Mrs Nair checked in and saw her parents for the last time before proceeding to the boarding gate.
Denouement
Mrs Nair returned to the present time and gained some confidence that she would not be taking the next plane home.
Setting
Place :
KLM airport
Wadakkanchery, a small village & Shaktan Tampuran bus stop
Madras, Hotel Riviera, Madras airport

Time:
Present time, 5 a.m. Monday morning
Flashback, 30 years ago when she was 15 years old.


Symbols
The airport, the exit/ channel that we have to pass through in order to attain a better future, symbol of pathways
Ticket – a symbol of embarking on new life experiences, change
Character
Mrs Nair- Main, successful, hesitant, brave.
Amma – Minor, devoted mother, religious, detailed, submissive wife.
Achan - Minor, devoted father, firm and stern husband.
Shamu - minor, a auto rickshaw driver
Krishnan – minor, the bus driver
Sandeep – minor, one of the students who travelled with Mrs Nair to Singapore.
Imke – minor, the check in lady at the counter.
Point of view
First person, the use of ‘I’ throughout the short story.

Tone
Nostalgic –The narrator reminisced the past, how her parents put in so much effort to get her ready for her departure, and how she had felt throughout the journey to the airport.
Theme
We should be brave enough to face uncertainties/ challenges/ changes in our lives and should seize the opportunity to venture out, knowing that we constantly have our family members who will stand by our side, supporting us sincerely and unconditionally.

Analysis : Her Three Days

Brief summary of story
A story about Noumbe, the third wife of Mustapha, who was making all the preparation and sacrifices to welcome her husband home for her three days of having him alone.

Plot

Introduction
At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Noumbe, the main character of the story and also her neighbor, Aida. We are also exposed to the physical environment Noumbe lives in, in particular her one-room shack. As for the social environment, we are introduced to a community that is very closely knitted.
Rising action
Internal conflict – Noumbe’s emotions towards her husband and also her own opinions about polygamy.
The women’s feelings and emotions towards polygamy
External conflict – her emotions towards the other characters (particularly with Mustapha’s other wives), the village women and also her children.
Climax
After all the sacrifices and preparation, Mustapha does not return.
Falling action
Mustapha comes home, accompanied by his two companions.
Denouement
Noumbe mocked and humiliated Mustapha in front of his companions.

Setting
Place : an unknown village in Africa, Noumbe’s one-bedroom shack.
Time : A duration of three days
Social setting : Closely knitted society as indicated by the women’s banter.
A society where polygamy is a norm.

Symbols
Noumbe’s hut – a symbol of poverty and also the emptiness in her life as indicated by the bare appearance of the shack.
The three plates – a symbol of her futile 3 day wait for her husband’s return
The breaking of the plates – a symbol of perhaps the breaking of her heart

Character
Noumbe (protagonist)
Mustapha (antagonist)
Aida – Noumbe’s next door neighbor
Mustapha’s second wife
Mactar – Noumbe’s son

Point of view
Third person limited omniscient as we only see the story through Noumbe’s thoughts.

Tone
Nostalgic – when Noumbe reminisces the sweet moments whilst her husband was around
Sorrowful – when Noumbe expresses her thoughts on polygame
Anger and resentment– when she shows her unstable emotions upon her husband’s return
Frustration - Noumbe showed her angry reactions towards her husband

Theme
Women are often treated unfairly in polygamous relationships.
The feudal view of esteeming men above women is common in societies practicing polygamy

Analysis : Jasmine's Father

Brief summary of story
The story basically revolves around the flashbacks of the narrator, Jasmine’s father.

Plot
Introduction :
The story begins with a brief insight into how Jasmine’s father views marriage and children. This gives us an idea of what kind of person Jasmine’s father is. We are also introduced to Jasmine. It is important to note in the introduction that a point of contrast is immediately drawn between the father and daughter, where the daughter is noted to enjoy the finer things in life, where as the father is described as someone simple and contented with what he has.
Rising action :
We see conflicts between Jasmine and society, Jasmine and her boss and also Jasmine and Asian men. There is also conflict between Jasmine and her father in terms of values and opinions. (generation gap)
Climax :
Jasmine informs her father of her decision to migrate
Falling action :
Jasmine’s father tries to advise his daughter, focusing on the practical issues (eg : having a job) but his advice falls onto deaf ears.
Denouement:
Jasmine’s father finally learns to accept his daughter’s impending migration and his twilight years alone.

Setting
There is no definite setting. We see scene shifts from Jasmine’s father three bedroom flat, Vancouver and also the garden.
The story also starts with Jasmine already in Canada and then flashes back to what happened in the prior months leading up to her move

Symbols
The System represents a cold society that is described as bureaucratic, inept and prejudiced.
Jasmine’s nameless boss represents a society that is regimented and robotic.

Character
Protagonist/ Narrator : Jasmine’s father
Jasmine
Jasmine’s boss
Jasmine’ colleague

Point of view
First person as we are introduced only to the narrator’s thoughts and given only speculations to why Jasmine reacted the way she did.

Tone
Ironic when he looks at his current predicament at the beginning of the story.
Nostalgic when he looks back at Jasmine’s childhood and his past life. Sympathetic when he speaks of how his daughter was unjustly treated at work.
Shocked when he heard of his daughter’s decision to migrate.

Theme
Change is the only thing that is constant in life so one must be brave in facing change.
A generation gap may exist between people from different age groups.
There may sometimes be conflicts in opinion between the older and younger generations.