Direct Speech

📘 Direct Speech – Rules, Examples & MCQs

Direct speech is one of the most important topics in English grammar. It helps convey exactly what someone said, capturing their words precisely as they were spoken. Understanding direct speech is essential for storytelling, dialogue writing, and effective communication.

🔤 What is Direct Speech?

Direct speech is when we quote the exact words of a speaker, placing them inside quotation marks (“…”). This way, we report what someone said without changing their words or tense.

✅ Examples:

  • He said, “I am tired.”
  • Mary asked, “Where is the station?”

📚 Why Use Direct Speech?

✅ Makes conversations clear and engaging.
✅ Adds liveliness to writing, especially in stories, dialogues, and plays.
✅ Helps show the speaker’s tone, emotion, and personality.

✏️ Basic Structure of Direct Speech

Direct speech usually has two parts:
1️⃣ Reporting clause – tells us who is speaking.
2️⃣ Reported words – the exact words of the speaker in quotation marks.

✅ Example:
Reporting clause: She said,
Reported words: “I will call you tomorrow.”

📝 Punctuation Rules for Direct Speech

✅ Always use quotation marks (“…”) around the speaker’s exact words.
✅ The reporting clause can come before or after the quoted words.
✅ If the reporting clause comes before, use a comma:

She said, “I am happy.”

✅ If it comes after, use a comma inside the quotation marks:

“I am happy,” she said.

✅ If it’s a question or exclamation, keep the punctuation inside the quotation marks:

He asked, “How are you?”
She shouted, “Watch out!”

🗨️ Changing Positions of Reporting Clause

The reporting clause can go at the start, middle, or end of a sentence:

  • Beginning: He said, “It is raining.”
  • Middle: “It is raining,” he said, “so take an umbrella.”
  • End: “It is raining,” he said.

✅ Examples of Direct Speech

  1. Tom said, “I like pizza.”
  2. She asked, “What time is it?”
  3. “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Direct Speech

❌ Missing quotation marks.
❌ Incorrect placement of punctuation.
❌ Forgetting to capitalize the first word inside the quotes.

❌ She said, I am ready.
✅ She said, “I am ready.”

🧠 5 MCQs on Direct Speech

1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:

A) He said “I am fine.”
B) He said, “I am fine.”
C) He said “I am fine”.
D) He said I am fine.
✅ Answer: B) He said, “I am fine.”

2. Which sentence correctly uses direct speech?

A) “Do you like tea”, she asked.
B) “Do you like tea?” she asked.
C) “Do you like tea” she asked.
D) “Do you like tea.” she asked.
✅ Answer: B) “Do you like tea?” she asked.

3. Where should the comma be placed in direct speech?

A) Before the quotation marks.
B) After the quotation marks.
C) Inside the quotation marks.
D) No comma is needed.
✅ Answer: A) Before the quotation marks.

4. Identify the direct speech:

A) He told that he is coming.
B) He said he is coming.
C) He said, “I am coming.”
D) He was coming.
✅ Answer: C) He said, “I am coming.”

5. Choose the correct sentence:

A) “Where do you live”? he asked.
B) “Where do you live.” he asked.
C) “Where do you live?” he asked.
D) “Where do you live” he asked?
✅ Answer: C) “Where do you live?” he asked.

📝 Conclusion

Direct speech is an essential grammar skill that brings dialogue to life by quoting exact words. By mastering the punctuation rules and practicing regularly, you can improve your writing and make it more vivid and engaging.


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