GRADE 9 English SPORTS:WORLD CUP(FOOTBALL) – GRAMMAR IN USE:DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH Notes
GRAMMAR IN USE: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH — SPORTS: WORLD CUP (FOOTBALL) ⚽🏆
Subject: English | Level: Form 2 / Age 14 (Kenyan context) Focus: How to change direct speech (exact words) into indirect (reported) speech using examples about the World Cup.
Direct speech repeats someone's exact words using quotation marks.
Example: The coach said, "We will play our best match tomorrow."
Indirect speech reports what someone said without using the exact words or quotation marks. We often change the verb tense, pronouns and time words.
Example: The coach said (that) they would play their best match the next day.
1. Basic rules (statements)
- Reporting verb: 'said' or 'told' (use 'told' + object). Example: He said, "..." → He said that ...
- Tense backshift: If the reporting verb is in the past, move the original verb one step back in time.
- Present simple → Past simple: "is" → he said (that) it was
- Present continuous → Past continuous: "are playing" → they were playing
- Present perfect → Past perfect: "have won" → they had won
- Past simple → Past perfect: "scored" → he had scored
- Pronouns: Change to match the new subject. "we" → "they" if speaker ≠ reporter.
- Time/place words: change them: "today" → "that day", "tomorrow" → "the next day" or "the following day", "here" → "there".
Examples — statements
- Direct: "We won the match," said the Kenyan team captain. Indirect: The Kenyan team captain said (that) they had won the match.
- Direct: The commentator said, "Saka is scoring often this tournament." Indirect: The commentator said (that) Saka was scoring often that tournament.
- Direct: The coach said to the players, "You must train harder." Indirect: The coach told the players that they had to train harder.
2. Questions
Yes/No questions: Use reporting verb + if/whether + clause. No question mark in reported clause.
Wh-questions: Use reporting verb + wh-word + clause (no inversion).
Examples — questions
- Direct: "Did Kenya qualify for the World Cup?" asked the student. Indirect: The student asked if Kenya had qualified for the World Cup.
- Direct: The reporter asked, "Where is the stadium?" Indirect: The reporter asked where the stadium was.
- Direct: "Will the team win the trophy?" asked the fan. Indirect: The fan asked if the team would win the trophy.
3. Commands, requests and advice
Change to 'told/asked/ordered + object + to + infinitive.
Examples
- Direct: The coach said, "Pass the ball!" Indirect: The coach told him to pass the ball.
- Direct: "Please focus on defence," the coach said. Indirect: The coach asked them to focus on defence.
4. Special verbs and modals
- "can" → "could": He said, "I can score." → He said (that) he could score.
- "will" → "would": "We will celebrate tomorrow." → They said they would celebrate the next day.
- "must" → "had to" (usually): "You must arrive early." → She said I had to arrive early.
- "may" → "might" (often): "He may play." → She said he might play.
- Who is reporting? Change pronouns if needed.
- Is the reporting verb in the past? If yes, backshift tenses.
- Change time/place words (today → that day, here → there).
- Use 'that' after 'said' (optional) and correct reporting verb for commands (told/asked).
5. Practice (Try these — answers below)
- Direct: The player said, "I scored the winning goal today."
- Direct: "Are we going to the World Cup final?" asked the fans.
- Direct: The referee said, "Stop the game now!"
- Direct: The reporter asked, "How many goals did the team score?"
- Direct: "We will train at 5 pm tomorrow," said the coach.
- Direct: The striker said, "I can help the team win."
Answers (click to view)
- He said (that) he had scored the winning goal that day.
- The fans asked if they were going to the World Cup final.
- The referee ordered/ told them to stop the game immediately.
- The reporter asked how many goals the team had scored.
- The coach said (that) they would train at 5 pm the next day.
- The striker said (that) he could help the team win.
6. Short tips for Kenyan students
- When practising, imagine a real World Cup scene: coach, players, fans, commentators. This helps choose pronouns and time words.
- Report what was said — do not keep quotation marks in indirect speech.
- Check the reporting verb: use 'told' + object for commands (The coach told the players to ...).
Change to indirect speech: The captain said, "We beat Brazil last night."
Answer:
The captain said (that) they had beaten Brazil the night before.
Keep practising with sentences from match reports, interviews and fan comments. Good luck — and keep loving football and language learning! ⚽📚