------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command. direct indirect reported clause statement ‘I’m tired,’ I said. I told them ( that ) I was tired . that -clause question ‘Are you ready?’ the nurse asked Joel. ‘Who are you?’ she asked. The nurse asked Joel if/whether he was ready . She asked me who I was . if- clause /whether- clause wh- clause command ‘Leave at once!’ they ordered. They ordered us to leave at once . to -infinitive clause Indirect speech: reporting statements Indirect reports of statements consist of a reporting clause and a that -clause. We often omit that , especially i