Using direct speech to quote words and ideas
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Overview | page 3 of 3 |
Uses of indirect speech
Direct speech is used to quote the actual words or thoughts of a speaker/writer:
But Judge Jackson said: "I am satisfied the defendant did know the cigarette carton contained credit cards and knew or believed them to be false." (Bank of English)
Direct speech is also sometimes mixed with indirect speech in order to draw attention to an important part of what was said.
Independent legislator Emily Lau Wai-hing said it was "intolerable" that some members only made their proposal at the last moment. (SCMP 14/5/94)
In this example, the writer paraphrases what Emily Lau said in indirect speech while at the same time draws the readers' attention to the word intolerable, which Emily Lau used herself.
For further information about the uses of indirect speech, see 
Using direct
speech to quote words and ideas: Uses of direct speech.
Introduction
Uses of indirect speech
