Reported Speech Questions Medium
When reporting speech within reported speech, there are specific punctuation rules to follow. These rules help to accurately convey the original speaker's words and maintain clarity in the reported speech.
1. Quotation marks: When reporting direct speech within reported speech, use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose the original speaker's words. For example: She said, "I saw him yesterday."
2. Punctuation inside quotation marks: If the reported speech within reported speech is a complete sentence, the punctuation should be placed inside the quotation marks. For example: She told me, "He said, 'I will be there tomorrow.'"
3. Punctuation outside quotation marks: If the reported speech within reported speech is not a complete sentence, the punctuation should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example: She mentioned that he had said, "I'm not sure if I can make it."
4. Reporting verbs: When introducing the reported speech within reported speech, appropriate reporting verbs such as "said," "told," "asked," etc., should be used to indicate the act of reporting. For example: He admitted, "I made a mistake."
5. Changes in pronouns and tenses: When reporting speech within reported speech, pronouns and tenses may need to be changed to reflect the shift from direct to indirect speech. For example: She said, "I am going to the party" becomes She said that she was going to the party.
By following these punctuation rules, we can accurately report speech within reported speech and maintain the integrity of the original speaker's words.