Direct and Indirect Speech

How to leave and take messages through direct interactions

Could I leave a message? 

Could you take my message for Mr/Mrs…?

Would you like to leave a message? 

Could I take your message for Mr/Mrs…?

Direct Speech and Reported Speech / Indirect Speech 

Study the following sentences.

1. The truck driver said he did not see the car approaching.

2. The truck driver said, "I do not see the car approaching."

Sentence number 1 is a reported speech and sentence number 2 is a direct speech. Reported speech is used

when we want to report what someone said. The word order is the same as direct speech but we don't use certain punctuation as indirect speech. 

The tenses in reported speech / Indirect speech  normally change. Look at the following examples:

No	Direct Speech	Reported Speech
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.	He said, "I buy a newspaper every day." He said, "I am buying a newspaper." He said, "I have bought a newspaper." He said, "I bought a newspaper." He said, "I will buy a newspaper." He said, "I can buy a newspaper." He said, "I may buy a newspaper." He said, "I must buy a newspaper." He said, "Buy a newspaper."	1. He said (that) he bought a newspaper every day. 2. He said (that) he was buying a newspaper. 3. He said (that) he had bought a newspaper. 4. He said (that) he had bought a newspaper. 5. He said (that) he would buy a newspaper. 6. He said (that) he could buy a newspaper. 7. He said (that) he might buy a newspaper. 8. He said (that) he had to buy a newspaper. 9. He told me to buy a newspaper.

Exercise 1

Change the following sentences into direct speech.

1. Hamdan asked me to participate in school workshop.

2. Nia wanted me to return her books that I borrowed.

3. Mr Ardi ordered me not to forget submitting my assignment.

4. Alya said she going to watch a new movie tomorrow.

5. Mrs Zakia told me to meet her in the office.

6. He said that the manager have the meeting to day

7. They asked to me what  my  car`s  color

8. Mr. Adi told me to do the homework in  his house

9.  Mr. Zaki said that he must go to the office

10. Puspita wanted to know if  I like her or not 

Exercise  2

Change the following sentences into Indirect speech

1. Father said, "Open the window."

2. Ms Anissa said, "Don't forget to do your homework."

3. Prasti said, "I'm going to go on a vacation to Medan."

4. Mr. Siregar said, "I want you to help me delivering some books."

5. Bondan said, "I'm happy for you, Renita."

6. Retno said, "You should read the news."

7. Anita said, "read today headline news"

8. "I'm will be a freelance reporter," said Andri.

9. Kania said, "I will write an article to the local newspaper."

10. Deni said, "follow the rules of this office."

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