What is the difference between direct and indirect speech in reported questions?

In reported speech, also known as indirect speech, we convey someone else's words or thoughts without quoting them directly. When it comes to reported questions, there are a few key differences between direct and indirect speech.

1. Word Order: In direct speech, the word order of the question remains the same as in a normal sentence. For example, "What time is it?" In indirect speech, however, the word order changes to that of a statement. So, the reported version would be "He asked what time it was."

2. Reporting Verb: In direct speech, the question is usually introduced by a question word or a question tag. For example, "She asked, 'Where are you going?'" In indirect speech, a reporting verb such as asked, wondered, or inquired is used to introduce the reported question. For instance, "She asked where I was going."

3. Verb Tense: In direct speech, the verb tense remains the same as in the original question. In indirect speech, however, the verb tense often changes to reflect the time of reporting. For example, "He asked, 'Are you coming tomorrow?'" In indirect speech, it becomes "He asked if I was coming the next day."

4. Pronoun Changes: In direct speech, the pronouns used in the question remain the same. In indirect speech, the pronouns may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the person reporting the question. For instance, "She asked, 'Have you seen him?'" In indirect speech, it becomes "She asked if I had seen him."

Overall, the main difference between direct and indirect speech in reported questions lies in the word order, the use of reporting verbs, the verb tense, and the potential changes in pronouns.