Direct speech questions involve reporting a question exactly as it was originally spoken, using quotation marks.
Understanding Direct Speech Questions
Direct speech, also known as quoted speech, replicates the exact words someone used. When the words are a question, it becomes a direct speech question. The question is enclosed in quotation marks, and the reporting verb (e.g., "asked," "said") often follows the question.
Examples of Direct Speech Questions
Here are some examples to illustrate direct speech questions:
- "Do you like coffee?" she asked.
- He inquired, "Where is the library?"
- "Are we there yet?" the child whined.
- She questioned, "What time does the movie start?"
- "Can you help me with this?" he requested.
Key Characteristics
- Quotation Marks: The question is always enclosed in quotation marks (" ").
- Exact Words: Direct speech reproduces the speaker's exact words.
- Reporting Verb: A reporting verb (e.g., said, asked, inquired) is used to introduce or follow the question.
- Punctuation: The question mark is placed inside the quotation marks.
- Capitalization: The first word of the question inside the quotation marks is capitalized.
Contrasting with Indirect Speech
It's helpful to contrast direct speech with indirect speech (also called reported speech):
| Feature | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation Marks | Used | Not used |
| Exact Words | Yes | No; the meaning is conveyed but words may change |
| Tense | Original tense | Often changes (backshifting) |
| Word Order | Original question order | Statement order (especially after 'asked' or 'wondered') |
Example:
- Direct: She asked, "Are you coming to the party?"
- Indirect: She asked if I was coming to the party.
In the indirect example, the quotation marks are gone, "are" becomes "was" (tense backshifting), and the question form changes to a statement form.
