Narration refers to the act of reporting or retelling someone else's words or speech. In grammar, it involves converting direct speech (the speaker's exact words) into indirect speech (paraphrased or reported words) and vice versa. Narration changes often require adjustments to pronouns, verb tenses, and other elements of the sentence.
1. Direct Speech: The exact words of the speaker are quoted within quotation marks. - She said, "I am going to the market."
2. Indirect Speech: The speech is paraphrased or reported without quotation marks. - She said that she was going to the market.
Narration involves: 1. Direct Speech: Contains the speaker's exact words enclosed in quotation marks. It uses reporting verbs like say, tell, ask, etc. 2. Indirect Speech: Does not use quotation marks and often changes tenses, pronouns, and time expressions to fit the context of the reporting verb.
For example: - Direct: He said, "I will help you." - Indirect: He said that he would help me.
Key changes occur in: - Pronouns: Depending on the perspective of the speaker and listener. - Tenses: Adjusted based on the reporting verb's tense. - Time Expressions: Words like today become that day, and tomorrow becomes the next day.
1. Change of Pronouns: Pronouns must be adjusted according to the subject and object of the reporting speech. - Direct: She said, "I am happy." - Indirect: She said that she was happy.
2. Change of Tense: - If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech usually changes as follows: - Present Simple → Past Simple - Present Continuous → Past Continuous - Present Perfect → Past Perfect - If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense of the reported speech does not change. - He says, "I like apples." - He says that he likes apples.
3. Change of Time Expressions: - Direct: She said, "I will visit tomorrow." - Indirect: She said that she would visit the next day.
4. Use of 'That': In indirect speech, the conjunction that is often used (optional in informal speech). - Direct: He said, "I am tired." - Indirect: He said (that) he was tired.
5. Questions in Narration: - Convert question format into a statement. - Use if or whether for yes/no questions. - Direct: He asked, "Are you coming?" - Indirect: He asked if I was coming. - Use appropriate question words for wh- questions. - Direct: She asked, "Where are you going?" - Indirect: She asked where I was going.
6. Commands and Requests: - Use to + base verb for positive commands or requests. - Use not to + base verb for negative commands. - Direct: He said, "Close the door." - Indirect: He told me to close the door. - Direct: She said, "Don't touch it." - Indirect: She told me not to touch it.
7. Exclamatory Sentences: - Replace exclamation marks with words like exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, or said. - Direct: He said, "What a beautiful day!" - Indirect: He exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.