Direct speech involves quoting a speaker's words exactly. Example: She said, "I love this book.
Indirect speech conveys the speaker's words without quoting them verbatim. Example: She said that she loved the book.
Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks, while indirect speech typically uses reporting verbs like "said that" or "told me."
In indirect speech, verb tenses often shift back one step. Present becomes past, past becomes past perfect, etc.
Direct: She asked, "What's your name?" Indirect: She asked what my name was.
Direct: He said, "Please close the door." Indirect: He asked me to close the door.
By mastering direct and indirect speech, you unlock the ability to convey conversations with precision and context.