Chapter 13: Narration (Direct & Indirect Speech)

Narration means to report someone's words. There are two ways to do this:

1. Direct Speech

This is when we state someone's words **same to same (exactly)**, without any changes. It always uses **Inverted Commas (" ")**.

  • Structure: Reporting Verb + "Quote"
  • Hinglish Example: Usne kaha, "Main busy hoon."
  • English Example: She said, "I am busy."

2. Indirect Speech

This is when we report someone's words **in our own way (in our own words)**, changing the time and context. Here, Inverted Commas are removed, and often **'that'** is used.

  • Structure: Reporting Verb + that + Changed Quote (Tense/Pronoun changed)
  • Hinglish Example: Usne kaha ki woh busy thi.
  • English Example: She said that she was busy.

3. Main Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

When changing from Direct to Indirect speech, **three (3) main changes** need to be made:

A. Tense Change

If the Reporting Verb (like *said*) is in the **Past Tense**, then the Quoted Speech's Tense also **changes**:

Direct Tense Changes to Indirect Tense Example (Active to Passive)
Simple Present Simple Past "I eat." to He said that he ate.
Present Continuous Past Continuous "I am eating." to He said that he was eating.
Simple Past Past Perfect "I ate." to He said that he had eaten.
Present Perfect Past Perfect "I have eaten." to He said that he had eaten.
Future (will) Conditional (would) "I will eat." to He said that he would eat.

Exception:

If the quote is a universal truth or habit, then the Tense **does not change**. (e.g., He said, "The earth is round." to He said that the earth is round.)

B. Pronoun Change

Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener:

  • First Person (I, We) changes according to the Subject.
    Direct: He said, "I am happy."
    Indirect: He said that he was happy.
  • Second Person (You) changes according to the Object/Listener.
    Direct: She said to me, "You are late."
    Indirect: She told me that I was late.

C. Time and Place Word Change

Words indicating proximity (nearness) change into words indicating distance:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Now Then
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day
Yesterday The previous day
Here There
This That

4. Reporting Questions and Commands

  • Questions (Interrogative): Instead of 'said to', **'asked'** is used. If it's a 'yes/no' question, then **'if' or 'whether'** is added.
    Direct: He said, "Are you fine?"
    Indirect: He **asked if I was** fine.
  • Commands/Requests (Imperative): Instead of 'said to', **'ordered' or 'requested'** is used, and the verb is joined by adding **'to'** to the verb.
    Direct: She said to him, "Open the door."
    Indirect: She **told him to open** the door.

Chapter 13 Takeaway

Narration means to **move Tense, Pronoun, and Time/Place words backward**. Changing Tense and choosing the correct **Reporting Verb (said, asked, ordered, told)** is the mastery of this chapter. Practice is essential!

Mastering direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication in English. Continue your journey to improve English grammar by exploring more topics like verb tenses, parts of speech, and sentence structures. Enhance your conversational skills and written English with practical grammar rules and examples.