Using indirect speech to report words and ideas
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Overview | page 3 of 3 |
Uses of indirect speech
Indirect speech is typically used to give a report of the following:
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what someone has said: |
She replied that she was out having fun. (SCMP 4/9/92)
Taylor has said that magic is what cannot be explained.
(Bank of English)
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what someone has written: |
The report said construction work would begin after June.
(SCMP 5/4/94)The article said China is being unfairly singled out while abuses elsewhere are ignored. (Bank of English)
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what someone has thought: |
He always thought that I put on my make-up in a very natural way. (Bank of English)
I wondered whether there might be a problem here.
(Bank of English)
While direct speech is typically used in narratives for dramatic and
immediate effects, indirect speech is used for many other purposes. For further
information, see 
Using indirect speech to report
words and ideas: Uses of indirect speech.
Introduction
Uses of indirect speech
