He said to me, "What is your name?" (Change into indirect speech)

How to Approach

This question tests the candidate's understanding of the rules of indirect speech transformation, a fundamental aspect of English grammar. The approach should involve accurately converting the direct speech into indirect speech, paying attention to changes in tense, pronouns, and reporting verbs. The answer should be concise and grammatically correct, demonstrating a clear grasp of the concept. No elaborate explanation is needed, just the correct transformation.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is a way of reporting what someone else said without using their exact words. The transformation from direct to indirect speech involves several changes, including alterations in verb tense, pronoun usage, and the introduction of a reporting clause. Accurate conversion requires a solid understanding of grammatical rules and their application. This question specifically tests the ability to convert a simple interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech.

The given sentence is in direct speech: "He said to me, "What is your name?""

Transformation into Indirect Speech

The indirect speech form of the sentence is:

He asked me what my name was.

Explanation of Changes:

Reporting Verb: "said" changes to "asked" because the direct speech is a question.
Conjunction: The conjunction "that" is often omitted in questions when converting to indirect speech.
Tense Change: "is" changes to "was" because the reporting verb ("asked") is in the past tense. This is a standard rule of tense transformation in indirect speech.
Pronoun Change: "your" changes to "my" to reflect the change in perspective from the original speaker to the reporter.
Question Mark: The question mark is removed as it is no longer a direct question.
Word Order: The word order changes from question form (auxiliary verb + subject) to statement form (subject + verb).

Therefore, the complete and correct indirect speech form is: He asked me what my name was.

Conclusion

The accurate conversion of direct speech to indirect speech is a crucial skill in English language proficiency. This example demonstrates the fundamental rules governing this transformation, specifically focusing on tense changes, pronoun adjustments, and the appropriate use of reporting verbs. Mastering these rules ensures clear and effective communication, both written and spoken.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Direct Speech

Direct speech involves reporting the exact words spoken by someone, enclosed within quotation marks (" "). It represents a verbatim account of the original statement.

Indirect Speech

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, conveys the content of a statement without using the speaker's exact words. It typically involves changes in tense, pronouns, and the use of a reporting verb.

Key Statistics

A study by Cambridge Assessment English (as of 2022 knowledge cutoff) indicates that approximately 60% of errors made by non-native English speakers in writing are related to grammar, including incorrect use of direct and indirect speech.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English Research Notes

According to a 2021 report by the British Council, accurate use of reported speech is considered a B2 level (Upper Intermediate) skill in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Source: British Council CEFR descriptors

Examples

Reporting News

News reports frequently utilize indirect speech to summarize statements made by individuals involved in events. For example, "The police spokesperson stated that the suspect had been apprehended." This avoids directly quoting the spokesperson and provides a concise summary.

Legal Testimony

In legal settings, witness testimony often involves reporting what others said. A lawyer might ask, "What did the witness say?" and the responding witness would likely use indirect speech to recount the statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What happens to the tense if the reporting verb is in the present or future tense?

If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense of the verb in the reported clause generally does not change. For example, "He says, 'I am tired.'" becomes "He says that he is tired."

▶Are there exceptions to the tense change rules in indirect speech?

Yes, there are exceptions. For example, if the reported speech expresses a universal truth or a habitual action, the tense usually remains unchanged. Also, modal verbs like 'could,' 'would,' 'should,' and 'might' often remain the same.

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