Discours direct et Indirect

Studying Reported Speech (Discours du temps)

Reported speech (discours indirect) is used to state what someone else said. There are two main types:

1. Immediate Reporting – Indirect Speech in the Present

This is used when you report what someone just said, and the reporting verb is in the present or future.

Example:

• Direct: She says, “I am tired.”
• Indirect: She says (that) she is tired.

2. Reporting After Some Time – Indirect Speech in the Past

This is used when you report what someone said at a previous time, and the reporting verb is in the past. In French, this often requires changing the tense (backshifting).

Example:

• Direct: He said, “I have finished my homework.”
• Indirect: He said (that) he had finished his homework.

Table: Direct vs Indirect Speech (French)

Direct Speech (Discours direct)	Reporting Verb	Indirect Speech (Discours indirect)
Il dit : “Je pars.”	present	Il dit qu’il part.
Il a dit : “Je pars.”	past	Il a dit qu’il partait.
Elle dit : “J’ai fini.”	present	Elle dit qu’elle a fini.
Elle a dit : “J’ai fini.”	past	Elle a dit qu’elle avait fini.
Tu dis : “Je vais venir.”	present	Tu dis que tu vas venir.
Tu as dit : “Je vais venir.”	past	Tu as dit que tu allais venir.

Key points: - If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense usually stays the same. - If the reporting verb is in the past, the tense shifts back (present → imperfect, passé composé → plus-que-parfait, futur → conditionnel, etc.).

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Exercises

1. Change to Indirect Speech

Rewrite each direct speech sentence as indirect speech in French.

1. Il dit : “Je pars.”
   
2. Il a dit : “Je pars.”
   
3. Elle dit : “J’ai fini.”
   
4. Elle a dit : “J’ai fini.”
   
5. Tu dis : “Je vais venir.”
   
6. Tu as dit : “Je vais venir.”
   

2. Identify the tense shift

For each pair, identify the tense change from direct to indirect speech.

1. Il a dit : “Je pars.” → Il a dit qu’il ______.
   
2. Elle a dit : “J’ai fini.” → Elle a dit qu’elle ______.
   
3. Tu as dit : “Je vais venir.” → Tu as dit que tu ______ venir.
   

3. Error correction

Each sentence contains a mistake with indirect speech. Rewrite it correctly.

1. Il a dit qu’il part.
   
2. Elle a dit qu’elle a fini.
   
3. Tu as dit que tu vas venir.
   

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To consolidate your learning

Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining what you have learned about indirect speech (discours du temps) in French. Give an example if possible.

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Notes:

• Indirect speech is used to report what someone else said.
• If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense usually stays the same.
• If the reporting verb is in the past, the tense shifts back (present → imperfect, passé composé → plus-que-parfait, futur → conditionnel, etc.).