When converting indirect speech into direct speech, when should we use said and said to? — Users Everywhere
Answer
When you are repeating the exact words someone spoke, that is direct speech. Use said with quotation marks, as in the examples below:
She said, "Go home!"
He said, "Stop working at 5:00."
Mark said, "Turn left on the next street."
I said, "I'll be home later."
My mother said, "You are going to be late."
The children all said, "I'm hungry."
When you are reporting what someone said, but may not be using their exact words, that is indirect speech. Use said to when reporting a command. Use said that or said when reporting information that was given. Do not use quotation marks for indirect speech, as in the examples below:
She said to go home. [said to because "go home" is a command]
He said to stop working at 5:00.
Mark said to turn left on Main Street, which is the next street.
I said (that) I'd be home later. [said (that) because "I'll be home later" is information]
My mother said (that) I was going to be late.
The children all said (that) they were hungry.
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