Direct and indirect speech

Direct and indirect speech: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.

Duration: 25 minPrerequisites: voix-passivePass mark: 80%

1. Objective

By the end, you will recognise and use “Direct and indirect speech” correctly.

2. Discover

Compare: Paul dit : « Je viens. » → Paul dit qu’il vient.; Léa dit : « J’ai fini. » → Léa dit qu’elle a fini.; Il demande : « Tu viens ? » → Il demande si je viens.; Elle dit : « Je partirai. » → Elle dit qu’elle partira.. Which clue helps you recognise discours direct et indirect?

3. Understand

To understand “Direct and indirect speech”, start from the examples rather than an abstract definition. Notice how the groups connect. Meaning comes from their relationship, not only from isolated words.

Paul dit : « Je viens. » → Paul dit qu’il vient.Léa dit : « J’ai fini. » → Léa dit qu’elle a fini.Il demande : « Tu viens ? » → Il demande si je viens.Elle dit : « Je partirai. » → Elle dit qu’elle partira.Le médecin dit : « Reposez-vous. » → Le médecin conseille de se reposer.« Où habitez-vous ? » → Il demande où j’habite.

Watch out

First identify the relation between the ideas: cause, consequence, contrast, condition, time… Choose the connector from the meaning, not the other way around.

4. Guided practice

5. Independent practice

6. Write / speak

Use “Direct and indirect speech” in a short message you could realistically send today.

7. Check your learning

8. Remember

For discours direct et indirect, identify the context first, then the form carrying the useful information. Always check your answer in a complete sentence.

Download worksheet (PDF)

9. Now I can…

I can recognise “Direct and indirect speech” in a new example.
I can justify my choice and create an example.