Narration in English grammar refers to the way in which speech or thoughts of characters are reported in writing. There are two primary types of narration: direct speech (or direct narration) and indirect speech (or indirect narration). These forms are used to convey what someone has said or thought, either by quoting their exact words or by paraphrasing them.

1. Direct Speech (Direct Narration)

Direct speech involves quoting the speaker's precise words. The words are surrounded in quotation marks, and the sentence is typically followed by a reporting verb such as "said," "asked," "replied," and so on.

  • Structure: [Reporting Clause], “Quoted Speech.”
  • Example:
    • She said, “I am going to the market.”
    • He asked, “Are you coming with me?”

Key Points:

  • The spoken/uttered words are enclosed in quotation marks.
  • A comma is often placed after the reporting verb.
  • The first word inside the quotation marks is capitalized.
  • The reporting verb can appear before or after the quoted speech.

2. Indirect Speech (Indirect Narration)

In indirect speech, the speaker's words are reported without quoting them directly. Instead, the meaning of the speech is conveyed, often with changes in pronouns, verb tenses, and other grammatical elements to fit the context.

  • Structure: [Reporting Clause] + that + [Reported Speech].
  • Example:
    • She said that she was going to the market.
    • He asked if I was coming with him.


Key Changes in Indirect Speech:

1. Pronoun Changes: Pronouns in the original speech are adjusted to fit the perspective of the reporter.

  • Direct: “I am happy,” she said.
  • Indirect: She said that she was happy.

2. Tense Changes: The tense of the verb in the reported speech is usually shifted back (known as backshifting), especially if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

  • Direct: “I am working,” he said.
  • Indirect: He said that he was working.

Backshifting Tense Rules:

    • Present simple → Past simple
      • Direct: “I like this book.”
      • Indirect: He said that he liked that book.
    • Present continuous → Past continuous
      • Direct: “She is reading.”
      • Indirect: He said that she was reading.
    • Present perfect → Past perfect
      • Direct: “They have finished.”
      • Indirect: He said that they had finished.
    • Past simple → Past perfect
      • Direct: “She left early.”
      • Indirect: He said that she had left early.
    • Will → Would
      • Direct: “I will call you.”
      • Indirect: He said that he would call me.
3. Time and Place Changes: Words indicating time and place may need to be adjusted in indirect speech.
  • Time: Now → then, Today → that day, Tomorrow → the next day, Yesterday → the previous day, etc.
    • Direct: “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    • Indirect: She said that she would see me the next day.
  • Place: Here → there, This → that, These → those.
    • Direct: “I left it here.”
    • Indirect: He said that he had left it there.
4. Removal of Quotation Marks: Unlike direct speech, indirect speech does not use quotation marks.

Examples:
  • Direct: “I can’t find my keys,” she said.
  • Indirect: She said that she couldn’t find her keys.
  • Direct: “Do you want some coffee?” he asked.
  • Indirect: He asked if I wanted some coffee.

Special Cases in Narration

1. Questions in Indirect Speech:
  • Yes/No Questions: Use "if" or "whether" to introduce the reported question.
    • Direct: “Did you see the movie?” he asked.
    • Indirect: He asked if I had seen the movie.
  • Wh- Questions: Use the question word (what, where, when, why, how) to introduce the reported question.
    • Direct: “Where do you live?” she asked.
    • Indirect: She asked where I lived.

2. Commands and Requests in Indirect Speech:

  • Use "to" + verb for commands and requests.

    • Direct: “Please open the window,” she said.
    • Indirect: She asked me to open the window.
  • Use "not to" + verb for negative commands.
    • Direct: “Don’t be late,” he said.
    • Indirect: He told me not to be late.

3. Exclamations in Indirect Speech:

  • Exclamations are reported using phrases like “exclaimed,” “said with joy,” “said with sorrow,” etc., and are typically rephrased as statements.
    • Direct: “What a beautiful dress!” she said.
    • Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful dress.

Practice Activities

1.Convert Direct to Indirect Speech:

  • Convert the sentences below from direct to indirect speech.
    • “I am tired,” she said.
    • “Do you know the way?” he asked.

2. Identify Changes:

  • Identify the changes in pronouns, tense, and time/place words in the following indirect speech sentences.
    • She said that she would arrive tomorrow.
    • He asked if I was ready.
3. Write Sentences:
  • Write a conversation in direct speech and then convert it into indirect speech.

Mastering narration helps in understanding and conveying spoken language effectively, making it a key aspect of communication in both spoken and written English.