French indirect speech, also known as reported speech or discours indirect, is a grammatical construction used to convey what someone else has said or thought. It involves reporting another person’s words or thoughts while adapting them to fit within the structure of the reporting sentence. In French, indirect speech is introduced by introductory verbs or expressions and involves changes in pronouns, tenses, and word order. This form of speech is commonly used in both spoken and written French to report conversations, statements, or thoughts accurately. In this explanation, we will delve into the rules and structures of French indirect speech, providing example sentences to facilitate understanding.
Introduction to Direct Speech
To comprehend indirect speech in French, it is essential to understand direct speech first. Direct speech is when we directly quote someone’s words or thoughts. For example:
Direct Speech: Marie said, “Je suis fatiguée.” (Marie said, “I am tired.”)
In this direct speech example, the exact words spoken by Marie are enclosed within quotation marks.
Structure of Indirect Speech
When we report someone’s words or thoughts indirectly in French, there are several changes that occur compared to direct speech. Let’s explore these changes one by one.
a. Verb Change:
In indirect speech, the verb in the reported sentence needs to change according to the rules of sequence of tenses. The choice of the verb will depend on the relationship between the introductory verb and the tense used in the reported speech. Here’s an example:
Direct Speech: Jean dit, “Je vais au cinéma.” (Jean says, “I am going to the cinema.”)
Indirect Speech: Jean dit qu’il va au cinéma. (Jean says that he is going to the cinema.)
In the indirect speech example, the present tense “dit” (says) is changed to “va” (is going) to maintain the correct sequence of tenses.
b. Pronoun Change:
Pronouns in indirect speech also undergo changes. The first-person pronouns in direct speech (je, moi) generally change to the third-person pronouns in indirect speech (il, elle, on). Here’s an example:
Direct Speech: Julie dit, “Je suis heureuse.” (Julie says, “I am happy.”)
Indirect Speech: Julie dit qu’elle est heureuse. (Julie says that she is happy.)
In this example, the first-person pronoun “je” (I) changes to the third-person pronoun “elle” (she) in indirect speech.
c. Word Order Change:
The word order in indirect speech often differs from that of direct speech. In indirect speech, the word order becomes subject-verb-object, whereas direct speech follows the order of subject-object-verb. Here’s an example:
Direct Speech: Thomas dit, “J’ai mangé une pomme.” (Thomas says, “I ate an apple.”)
Indirect Speech: Thomas dit qu’il a mangé une pomme. (Thomas says that he ate an apple.)
Notice how the word order changes from “j’ai mangé une pomme” (I ate an apple) to “il a mangé une pomme” (he ate an apple) in indirect speech.
Introductory Verbs and Expressions
To introduce indirect speech in French, various verbs and expressions are commonly used. The choice of the introductory verb determines the verb tense changes in the reported speech. Here are some frequently used introductory verbs and expressions:
a. Dire (to say): Marie dit qu’elle aime le chocolat. (Marie says that she likes chocolate.)
b. Penser (to think): Paul pense qu’il devrait étudier plus. (Paul thinks that he should study more.)
c. Demander (to ask): Le professeur demande si nous avons fait nos devoirs. (The teacher asks if we did our homework.)
d. Expliquer (to explain): Pierre explique comment résoudre le problème. (Pierre explains how to solve the problem.)
e. Raconter (to tell): Marc raconte qu’il a passé de bonnes vacances. (Marc tells that he had a good vacation.)
f. Se demander (to wonder): Sophie se demande où est son livre. (Sophie wonders where her book is.)
These are just a few examples of introductory verbs and expressions that can be used to introduce indirect speech in French.
Changes in Interrogative and Imperative Sentences
When reporting interrogative sentences (questions) or imperative sentences (commands), additional changes occur in indirect speech.
a. Interrogative Sentences:
In indirect speech, interrogative sentences become indirect questions. The word order changes, and the question mark is omitted. Here’s an example:
Direct Speech: Pierre demande, “As-tu fini ton travail ?” (Pierre asks, “Have you finished your work?”)
Indirect Speech: Pierre demande si tu as fini ton travail. (Pierre asks if you have finished your work.)
In the indirect speech example, the word order changes from “As-tu fini ton travail ?” (Have you finished your work?) to “si tu as fini ton travail” (if you have finished your work).
b. Imperative Sentences:
In indirect speech, imperative sentences are transformed into indirect commands or suggestions. The verb tense, pronouns, and word order may change accordingly. Here’s an example:
Direct Speech: Le professeur dit, “Faites vos devoirs.” (The teacher says, “Do your homework.”)
Indirect Speech: Le professeur dit de faire nos devoirs. (The teacher says to do our homework.)
In the indirect speech example, the imperative “Faites vos devoirs” (Do your homework) is changed to “de faire nos devoirs” (to do our homework).
By understanding the rules and structures of French indirect speech, learners can effectively report what others have said or thought in a precise and accurate manner. It is crucial to practice these constructions to become proficient in using indirect speech in both spoken and written French.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct indirect speech construction for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Je vais au cinéma ce soir,” a dit Paul.
(Translation: “I am going to the cinema tonight,” said Paul.)
a) Paul dit qu’il allait au cinéma ce soir.
b) Paul dit qu’il irait au cinéma ce soir.
c) Paul dit qu’il va au cinéma ce soir.
d) Paul dit qu’il était allé au cinéma ce soir.
Answer: b) Paul dit qu’il irait au cinéma ce soir.
Explanation: The introductory verb “dit” (said) indicates that the verb in indirect speech should follow the sequence of tenses. Since the direct speech is in the present tense (“vais”), the indirect speech should be in the conditional tense (“irait”).
Example Sentence: Paul dit qu’il irait au cinéma ce soir. (Paul said that he would go to the cinema tonight.)
Exercise 2:
Choose the correct pronoun change for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Nous avons réussi nos examens,” ont dit les étudiants.
(Translation: “We passed our exams,” said the students.)
a) Les étudiants ont dit que nous avions réussi nos examens.
b) Les étudiants ont dit que nous réussissions nos examens.
c) Les étudiants ont dit que nous réussirons nos examens.
d) Les étudiants ont dit que nous réussissons nos examens.
Answer: a) Les étudiants ont dit que nous avions réussi nos examens.
Explanation: The pronoun change in indirect speech requires converting the first-person pronoun “nous” (we) to the third-person pronoun “ils/elles” (they). Therefore, the correct answer is a), where “nous avions” (we had) is changed to “ils ont” (they had).
Example Sentence: Les étudiants ont dit que nous avions réussi nos examens. (The students said that we had passed our exams.)
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct word order change for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Elle a préparé le dîner,” a dit mon frère.
(Translation: “She prepared dinner,” my brother said.)
a) Mon frère a dit qu’elle le dîner avait préparé.
b) Mon frère a dit qu’elle avait préparé le dîner.
c) Mon frère a dit qu’elle préparé avait le dîner.
d) Mon frère a dit qu’elle préparé le dîner avait.
Answer: b) Mon frère a dit qu’elle avait préparé le dîner.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the word order changes to subject-verb-object. Therefore, the correct answer is b), where “elle avait préparé le dîner” (she had prepared dinner) follows the subject-verb-object order.
Example Sentence: Mon frère a dit qu’elle avait préparé le dîner. (My brother said that she had prepared dinner.)
Exercise 4:
Choose the appropriate introductory verb for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Je suis très occupé en ce moment,” dit-elle.
(Translation: “I am very busy at the moment,” she said.)
a) Penser
b) Demander
c) Expliquer
d) Dire
Answer: d) Dire
Explanation: The verb “dire” (to say) is commonly used to introduce indirect speech. It indicates that the speaker is reporting someone else’s words or thoughts.
Example Sentence: Elle dit qu’elle est très occupée en ce moment. (She says that she is very busy at the moment.)
Exercise 5:
Choose the correct transformation for the following direct speech question:
Direct Speech: “As-tu fini ton travail ?” demande le professeur.
(Translation: “Have you finished your work?” the teacher asks.)
a) Le professeur demande si tu as fini ton travail.
b) Le professeur demande si tu finis ton travail.
c) Le professeur demande si tu as fini ton travail ?
d) Le professeur demande si finis-tu ton travail.
Answer: a) Le professeur demande si tu as fini ton travail.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the question mark is removed, and the word order changes. The correct answer is a), where the word order changes to “si tu as fini ton travail” (if you have finished your work).
Example Sentence: Le professeur demande si tu as fini ton travail. (The teacher asks if you have finished your work.)
Exercise 6:
Choose the correct transformation for the following direct speech command:
Direct Speech: “Fais tes devoirs,” dit la mère.
(Translation: “Do your homework,” the mother says.)
a) La mère dit de faire tes devoirs.
b) La mère dit de faire tes devoirs ?
c) La mère dit fais tes devoirs.
d) La mère dit fais tes devoirs ?
Answer: a) La mère dit de faire tes devoirs.
Explanation: In indirect speech, imperative sentences are transformed into indirect commands. The correct answer is a), where “de faire tes devoirs” (to do your homework) is used to convey the command indirectly.
Example Sentence: La mère dit de faire tes devoirs. (The mother says to do your homework.)
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct verb change for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Je mange une pomme,” dit Anne.
(Translation: “I am eating an apple,” Anne says.)
a) Anne dit qu’elle mangeait une pomme.
b) Anne dit qu’elle a mangé une pomme.
c) Anne dit qu’elle mangera une pomme.
d) Anne dit qu’elle mange une pomme.
Answer: a) Anne dit qu’elle mangeait une pomme.
Explanation: The verb in indirect speech needs to follow the sequence of tenses. Since the direct speech is in the present tense (“mange”), the correct answer is a), where “mangeait” (was eating) is used in indirect speech.
Example Sentence: Anne dit qu’elle mangeait une pomme. (Anne said that she was eating an apple.)
Exercise 8:
Choose the correct pronoun change for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Nous sommes fatigués,” disent les enfants.
(Translation: “We are tired,” the children say.)
a) Les enfants disent que nous sommes fatigués.
b) Les enfants disent que nous étions fatigués.
c) Les enfants disent que nous serons fatigués.
d) Les enfants disent que nous sommes fatigués.
Answer: a) Les enfants disent que nous sommes fatigués.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the pronoun “nous” (we) changes to the third-person pronoun “ils/elles” (they). Therefore, the correct answer is a), where “nous sommes” (we are) is changed to “ils sont” (they are).
Example Sentence: Les enfants disent que nous sommes fatigués. (The children say that we are tired.)
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct word order change for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Il a acheté un cadeau,” dit ma sœur.
(Translation: “He bought a gift,” my sister says.)
a) Ma sœur dit qu’il un cadeau a acheté.
b) Ma sœur dit qu’il a acheté un cadeau.
c) Ma sœur dit qu’il acheté un cadeau a.
d) Ma sœur dit qu’il acheté a un cadeau.
Answer: b) Ma sœur dit qu’il a acheté un cadeau.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the word order changes to subject-verb-object. Therefore, the correct answer is b), where “il a acheté un cadeau” (he bought a gift) follows the subject-verb-object order.
Example Sentence: Ma sœur dit qu’il a acheté un cadeau. (My sister says that he bought a gift.)
Exercise 10:
Choose the appropriate introductory verb for the following direct speech sentence:
Direct Speech: “Je suis en retard,” dit mon ami.
(Translation: “I am late,” my friend says.)
a) Penser
b) Raconter
c) Expliquer
d) Dire
Answer: d) Dire
Explanation: The verb “dire” (to say) is commonly used to introduce indirect speech. It indicates that the speaker is reporting someone else’s words or thoughts.
Example Sentence: Mon ami dit qu’il est en retard. (My friend says that he is late.)
Originally posted 2023-07-19 02:26:40.