In indirect speech, the adverb of place "here" often changes to "there". This change occurs because the location of the reported speech is typically different from the location of the original speech.
Why Does "Here" Change?
As noted in the reference, adverbs of time and place, like "here," are changed in indirect speech. This is because:
- Indirect speech reports what was said at a different time and potentially in a different place than the original statement.
- The reference states: "We often change ... adverbs of time and place (... here, etc.) because indirect speech happens at a later time than the original speech, and perhaps in a different place."
Therefore, what was "here" (the place of the original speaker) is now "there" (a different place from the perspective of the person reporting the speech).
Examples of "Here" to "There"
Consider the example provided in the reference:
- Direct Speech: "I said, 'I'll meet you here tomorrow.'"
- Indirect Speech: "I told her I would meet her there the next/following day."
Here's a simple table illustrating the change:
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| here | there |
Practical Application
When converting direct speech containing "here" to indirect speech, you generally substitute "here" with "there."
- Direct: "She said, 'Put the book here.'"
- Indirect: "She asked me to put the book there."
This adjustment maintains clarity and accuracy by reflecting the shift in location from the original utterance.
