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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Introduction to Reported Speech
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Good morning class! Today, weβre going to explore reported speech. Can anyone tell me what direct speech is?
Is it when you quote someone exactly?
Exactly! Direct speech involves quoting someoneβs exact words. Now, reported speech is when we convey the meaning of what someone said without quoting them directly. For example, if I say, 'He said, 'I am going'' it changes to 'He said that he was going.' Can anyone see the differences here?
The verb tense changes from 'am' to 'was.'
Great observation! We also change pronouns and certain time expressions. Remember the acronym T.P.C. for Tense, Pronouns, and Conjunctions. Let's recap this point: Tenses shift, pronouns change to match the subject in reported speech, and we often connect the two clauses with 'that'.
So, if it was 'I am here,' would it be 'He said that he was there'?
Precisely! Letβs move on to practice.
Tense Changes in Reported Speech
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Now, let's focus more specifically on tense changes when converting to reported speech. What happens to the present simple tense?
Does it change to past simple?
Correct! For example, 'She likes apples' becomes 'He said that she liked apples.' Remember, if the reporting verb is in the present, the tense remains unchanged. Can anyone give another example?
What about the present continuous?
Good question! The present continuous 'is singing' changes to past continuous 'was singing'. So, 'She is singing' becomes 'He said that she was singing.' Letβs keep practicing these transformations together.
Pronoun and Time Expression Changes
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Letβs talk about pronoun changes next! If the original statement is 'I like it,' what would that change to in reported speech?
Would it be 'He said that he liked it'?
Almost! Don't forget to change 'it' as well, depending on the context. It can adjust to reflect what 'it' refers to. What about time expressions? Can someone give me an example?
'Today' would change to 'that day'?
Exactly! Also, 'tomorrow' changes to 'the next day,' and 'yesterday' changes to 'the previous day.' Remember to consider context when making these transformations. Let's practice a few more examples!
Using Reporting Verbs
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Now we'll discuss reporting verbs. Can anyone name a few?
How about 'said' and 'told'?
Great start! 'Said' can be used generally, but 'told' requires a direct object, like 'He told her a story.' It's important to remember this distinction. What other verbs can we use in reporting speech?
What about 'asked' or 'informed'?
Exactly! 'Asked' is used for questions, while 'informed' can be used to indicate giving information. Great! Ensure to use the right verb to convey the intended meaning.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
This section delves into the concept of reported speech, highlighting the difference between direct and indirect speech, outlining essential changes in tense, pronouns, time expressions, and reporting verbs. It is vital for effectively summarizing or relaying information spoken by others.
Detailed
Reported Speech refers to the method of conveying someoneβs words without quoting them directly. In reported speech, we transform what was said into a statement; for instance, direct speech, which quotes the speakerβs exact words (e.g., He said, "I am going.") becomes indirect speech when we paraphrase it (e.g., He said that he was going). This transformation involves several changes: tense alterations (e.g., present tense shifts to past tense), pronoun modifications (e.g., 'I' changes to 'he'), and adjustments to time and place indicators (e.g., 'now' becomes 'then'). Furthermore, appropriate reporting verbs such as 'said,' 'told,' 'asked,' etc., are used to convey the original message effectively. Understanding reported speech is crucial for effective communication, allowing individuals to summarize conversations and statements more fluidly.
Audio Book
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Introduction to Reported Speech
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Reporting what someone else said, either directly (using quotation marks) or indirectly.
Detailed Explanation
Reported speech is a way of conveying what someone has said without quoting them directly. When we use direct speech, we write exactly what the speaker said, usually enclosed in quotation marks. For example, if someone says, "I am happy," that is direct speech. In reported speech, we rephrase it without using quotes, so it would become: He said that he was happy. This shifts the focus from the speaker's exact words to conveying the meaning of what was said.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you overhear a friend talking about their plans for the weekend. If you tell someone else, you might say, "Sarah said she would go hiking on Saturday." Here, you didn't use her exact words; you summarized what she intended to convey, which illustrates how reported speech works.
Direct vs Indirect Speech
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β Direct Speech: Exact words are quoted (e.g., He said, "I am going.")
β Indirect (Reported) Speech: The speaker's words are rephrased (e.g., He said that he was going.)
Detailed Explanation
Direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken, which provides authenticity and enhances the emotional weight of the statement. For example, if you quote your teacher saying, "We will have a test tomorrow," it conveys urgency and importance. In contrast, indirect speech paraphrases the statement without quotes. The focus is on the gist rather than the exact wording, which can be more suitable in many contexts.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a news reporter relaying a speech made by a politician. If the reporter says, "The mayor declared, 'We will rebuild the parks,'" that's direct speech. However, if the reporter says, "The mayor declared that they will rebuild the parks," they are using reported speech. This makes the information flow better in their reporting style.
Key Changes in Reported Speech
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β Key Changes in Reported Speech:
β Tense Shift: Present becomes past, past becomes past perfect, etc. (e.g., "I am going" β he was going).
β Pronoun Change: (e.g., "I" β "he" or "she").
β Time and Place Adverbs: Now β then, today β that day, here β there, tomorrow β the next day, yesterday β the previous day.
β Modals: Can β could, will β would, may β might.
β Reporting Verbs: Use appropriate verbs like 'said,' 'told,' 'asked,' 'enquired,' 'requested,' 'ordered,' 'suggested,' etc.
Detailed Explanation
In reported speech, certain grammatical changes occur to accurately convey the speaker's words. For instance, when changing tenses, a simple present tense like "I am going" becomes "he was going" because the reporting action usually takes place after the original statement. Pronouns also change to maintain clarity; for example, 'I' might change to 'he' or 'she', depending on the speaker's identity. Time and place indicators need adjustments to reflect when the reporting occurs, such as 'now' changing to 'then.' Finally, modal verbs can shift in meaning, e.g., 'can' changes to 'could.' Additionally, choosing appropriate verbs allows for accurately conveying the level of certainty or intention.
Examples & Analogies
Consider youβre narrating a conversation between two friends. If one friend expresses that 'I will call you tomorrow,' when you relay this to another friend, you might say they said they would call the next day. Here, changes in tense, pronouns, and adverbs not only clarify the message but also maintain the context of the conversation.
Utilizing Reporting Verbs
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β Reporting Verbs: Use appropriate verbs like 'said,' 'told,' 'asked,' 'enquired,' 'requested,' 'ordered,' 'suggested,' etc.
Detailed Explanation
Using the correct reporting verbs is crucial in reported speech as they convey not just the content of what was spoken, but also the manner in which it was said. For example, 'told' is typically used with a direct object (e.g., He told me that he was leaving), while 'asked' is employed when someone is posing a question (e.g., He asked if I was coming.). Some verbs, like 'requested' or 'suggested,' imply a softer tone compared to simply 'said,' and using the right one can alter the perception of the statement's intent.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a family dinner where one member shares an exciting experience. If you say, 'She said she had fun,' it sounds simple. However, if you use 'she exclaimed that she had fun,' it adds emotion, highlighting her excitement. Choosing 'exclaimed' instead of 'said' brings an entirely different feel to the narrative and helps others understand the speaker's intent.
Definitions & Key Concepts
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Key Concepts
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Tense Changes: Tenses typically shift back a step when converting to reported speech.
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Pronoun Changes: Pronouns should be adapted to match the subject in reported speech.
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Time Expressions: Time indicators must be adjusted to reflect the context in indirect speech.
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Reporting Verbs: Appropriate verbs must be used to accurately convey meaning.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
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Examples
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Direct: He says, 'I am happy.' Reported: He says that he is happy.
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Direct: She said, 'I will call you.' Reported: She said that she would call me.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
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When you speak direct, keep words exact, in report, they must adapt.
π Fascinating Stories
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Once, a teacher transformed a student's words into a story. The student said he was excited, but in the report, it changed to he had been excited. It taught him how to share news.
π§ Other Memory Gems
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Remember T.P.C. for Reported Speech; Tenses shift, Pronouns change, Connect with 'that' - it's easy to teach.
π― Super Acronyms
Use the acronym TPC to remember
- T: for Tense change
- P: for Pronoun adjustment
- and C for Conjunction use.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Reported Speech
Definition:
A way to convey what someone said, altering tense and pronouns.
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Term: Direct Speech
Definition:
Quoting someone's exact words.
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Term: Tense Shift
Definition:
Changing the tense of the verb from present to past or vice versa.
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Term: Pronouns
Definition:
Words that substitute for nouns, which change in reported speech.
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Term: Reporting Verbs
Definition:
Verbs used to introduce reported speech, such as 'said', 'told', or 'asked'.