quotation marks.

★ "I don't know what to do," said Dean.

In some grammar books, 'said Dean' is referred to as a reporting clause. "I don't know what to do," is referred to as the reported clause.

⑵Indirect speech

In indirect speech, the exact meaning of the speaker's words is given, but the exact words are not directly quoted.

★ Dean said that he didn't know what to do.

To convert direct speech into indirect speech:

If the main verb is past tense, present tense verbs in 'that clause' must also be changed to past tense.

Dean said that he didn't know what to do.

First and second person pronouns must be changed to third person pronouns.

Dean said that he didn't know what to do.

(The word 'that' can often be left out: Dean said he didn't know what to do.)

⑶Indirect questions

The same rules apply to indirect questions as to indirect statements. The difference is that a 'wh- clause' is used instead of a 'that clause'.

Direct question: "Did Marama's horse win a prize?" Owen asked.

Indirect questions: Owen asked whether (or if) Marama's horse had won a prize. Direct question: "Why won't you marry me?" asked Donald.

Indirect question: Donald asked her why she wouldn't marry him.