Direct speech s. reported speech
REPORTED SPEECH
When explaining to someone what you or another person said in the past, you may use DIRECT or REPORTED SPEECH. They are different, but not difficult to use.
DIRECT SPEECH
involves repeating exactly what you or someone else said. Indicate this with quotation marks:
My mom said: "I am very proud of you and your sisters."
Then, I looked at my dog and said: "Monroe, you are a bad, bad dog – no biscuit for you!"
REPORTED SPEECH,
however, involves making our own or someone else's words part of our own sentence. In these cases, we explain what was said without quoting exactly. The verbs are usually in the past tense:
Robert said that he worked too hard.
I told him several times that I wasn't interested.
Note two things:
1) Normally, both of the verbs in such sentences are in the past:
I said that I wasn't available.
I told him I couldn't come.
Exceptions do occur – they will be discussed below.
2) THAT is optional in these situations:
I said that I was busy.
I said I was busy.
She told me that she was angry.
She told me she was angry.
If the PAST SIMPLE occurs in DIRECT SPEECH, it can remain the same in REPORTED SPEECH, or be changed to PAST PERFECT. There is no difference:
Direct:
She said, "I felt bad and didn't go to the party"
Reported:
She said she felt bad and didn't go the party.
OR
She said that she had felt bad and hadn't gone to the party.
Sometimes, it isn't necessary to change the verb from PRESENT to PAST in Reported Speech. This happens when you report something that is still true or happening at the time you report it:
Direct:
Jane said "I like chocolate more than vanilla."
Reported:
Jane said she likes chocolate more than vanilla.
(Presumably, this is still the case – we assume she hasn't changed her opinion on the subject.)
OR
Jane said that she liked chocolate more than vanilla.
Direct:
Mike said "I want to have a party for my birthday next week."
Reported:
Mike said he wants to have a party for his birthday next week.
(He still wants to have a party next week.)
OR
Mike said that he wanted to have a party for his birthday next week.
SAY and TELL
The difference between SAY and TELL can be difficult to understand. Here are some rules to help you know when (and when not) to use each one:
SAY
1) You SAY something
I said goodbye and walked out the door.
We said that we were not interested in that offer.
What did you say next?
2) You SAY something TO someone
I said goodbye to him and walked out the door.
What did you say to them about the offer?
TELL
1) You TELL someone something. This has the sense of "to inform" or "to instruct".
I told you that was a bad idea.
He told me the answer twice, but I forgot both times.
What did you tell them?
Can you tell me how this works?
2) You can also TELL someone TO DO something. This has the sense of "to order" or "to request".
I told you to go to bed now, young man!
He asked me not to tell anyone what happened.
3) TELL is also used in the following common phrases
– to tell a lie I think he told a lie when he said he was 21.
– to tell the truth Tell the truth – you aren't really 21, are you?
– to tell a story Mommy, please tell me a story before bed.
– to tell a joke Tell us the joke about the three weasels at a cocktail party again – I love that one!
– to tell the difference Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? (this means to differentiate)
– to tell time Yesterday we taught the children how to tell time.
(this means how to read a clock or watch)
My watch has stopped. Can you tell me the time?
(the same meaning as "What time is it?”)
SO, basically, SAY is usually followed by a DIRECT OBJECT (in this case, what you said)
I said goodbye.
I said that I was unhappy.
TELL is usually followed by an INDIRECT OBJECT (who you tell something to)
I told him goodbye.
I told you not to do that!
Finally, here are some common mistakes to avoid.
DO NOT SAY THE FOLLOWING:
Say me your name. (correct is "Tell me your name")
He said me the answer. (correct is "Tell me the answer")
She told that she would be late. (correct is "She said that...")
Tell something to him! (correct is "Say something...")