GRADE 5 · FREE LESSON

Direct & Reported Speech

Distinguish exact words from reported information.

Understand the concept
See real examples
Practise & apply
Visual learning illustration for Direct & Reported Speech

What you will learn in Grade 5

Today's goal: Use quotation marks for direct speech and understand that reported speech retells what someone said.

Core concept

Direct: Maya said, "I am tired."

Direct speech gives the speaker’s exact words inside quotation marks.

Core concept

Reported: Maya said that she was tired.

Reported speech gives the meaning of what someone said without repeating the exact words.

Core concept

Direct speech gives the exact words.

Direct speech focuses on the speaker’s exact wording.

Core concept

Reported speech gives the meaning without quotation marks.

Reported speech changes the wording while keeping the original meaning.

Core idea

Use quotation marks for direct speech and understand that reported speech retells what someone said.

Read the explanation, study the examples and explain the idea in your own words.

Learn with examples

Direct

"I am ready."

“"I am ready."” keeps the speaker’s exact words inside quotation marks.

Reporting

Maya said that...

“Maya said that...” introduces the idea being reported by another person.

Difference

exact words vs retold meaning

“exact words vs retold meaning” contrasts exact words with the retold meaning.

See the skill in action

DirectRavi said, "I won."
ReportedRavi said that he had won.
Question"Are you ready?" asked Maya.

Quick check

Which form uses quotation marks: direct or reported speech?

Practice like a learner

  1. Add quotation marks to direct speech.
  2. Change one short direct sentence into reported speech.
  3. Choose said/asked for a statement/question.
  4. Write one line of direct speech.
  5. Explain the difference between direct and reported speech.
Self-check: Can you explain the rule, give a new example and tell someone why your answer is correct?

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