Direct And Indirect Speech Questions Long
The rules for reporting questions in indirect speech are as follows:
1. Change the question into a statement: In indirect speech, questions are reported as statements. This means that the question mark is replaced with a full stop or a period.
2. Use an introductory phrase or verb: When reporting a question, an introductory phrase or verb is used to indicate that the following statement is a reported question. Common introductory phrases include "he/she asked," "he/she wanted to know," or "he/she wondered."
3. Change the pronouns and verb tenses: Pronouns and verb tenses may need to be changed when reporting a question. The pronouns should be changed to reflect the perspective of the person reporting the question. Additionally, verb tenses may need to be shifted to match the tense of the reporting verb.
4. Use the word "if" or "whether" for yes/no questions: If the original question is a yes/no question, the word "if" or "whether" is used in the reported question.
5. Maintain the word order: The word order of the reported question remains the same as in the original question.
6. Change question words and phrases: Question words and phrases such as "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how" may need to be changed or omitted in the reported question, depending on the context.
7. Use reported speech punctuation: Quotation marks are not used in indirect speech. Instead, reported speech punctuation is used, such as commas or no punctuation at all, depending on the structure of the reported question.
By following these rules, one can accurately report questions in indirect speech.