Indirect Speech in Italian

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used when we want to report or paraphrase what someone else has said. In Italian, when using indirect speech, there are specific changes that need to be made to verbs and pronouns to reflect the shift from direct speech to reported speech.

Let's dive into the details of how to use indirect speech effectively in Italian.

Changing Verb Tenses in Indirect Speech

When reporting someone's words in indirect speech, the verb tenses must be adjusted to reflect the past. Here's a general guide for shifting verb tenses:

1. Present tense becomes imperfect tense

   • Direct speech: “Vado al cinema” (I go to the cinema)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che andava al cinema (He/she told me that he/she was going to the cinema)

2. Present continuous tense becomes imperfect tense

   • Direct speech: “Sto mangiando la pizza” (I am eating pizza)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che stava mangiando la pizza (He/she told me that he/she was eating pizza)

3. Past tense remains in the same past tense (e.g., passato prossimo, imperfect)

   • Direct speech: “Ho visto Maria ieri” (I saw Maria yesterday)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che aveva visto Maria il giorno prima (He/she told me that he/she had seen Maria the day before)

4. Future tense becomes conditional tense

   • Direct speech: “Andrò in vacanza” (I will go on vacation)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che sarebbe andato/a in vacanza (He/she told me that he/she would go on vacation)

5. Conditional tense remains in the same conditional tense

   • Direct speech: “Prenderei un caffè” (I would take a coffee)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che avrebbe preso un caffè (He/she told me that he/she would take a coffee)

6. Imperative becomes infinitive

   • Direct speech: “Fermati!” (Stop!)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto di fermarsi (He/she told me to stop)

Changing Pronouns in Indirect Speech

When using indirect speech in Italian, pronouns used in direct speech need to be adjusted accordingly. Here are the pronoun changes:

1. First person (singular or plural) becomes third person (singular or plural)

   • Direct speech: “Mi piace l'Italia” (I like Italy)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che gli/le piace l'Italia (He/she told me that he/she likes Italy)

2. Second person (singular or plural) becomes third person (singular or plural)

   • Direct speech: “Ti telefonerò domani” (I will call you tomorrow)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che gli/le telefonerà domani (He/she told me that he/she will call you tomorrow)

3. Third person (singular or plural) remains the same

   • Direct speech: “Maria non lo sapeva” (Maria didn't know)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha detto che Maria non lo sapeva (He/she told me that Maria didn't know)

Other Considerations in Indirect Speech

1. Adverbs related to time and place may need to be adjusted based on the perspective of the reported speech.

   • Direct speech: “Domani starò a casa” (Tomorrow I will stay at home)
   • Indirect speech reflecting same perspective: Mi ha detto che domani starebbe a casa (He/she told me that tomorrow he/she would stay at home)
   • Indirect speech reflecting different perspective: Mi ha detto che domani avrebbe lavorato da casa (He/she told me that tomorrow he/she would work from home)

2. Reported questions use the interrogative word and order of the reported sentence changes.

   • Direct speech: “Hai visto il film?” (Did you see the movie?)
   • Indirect speech: Mi ha chiesto se avessi visto il film (He/she asked me if I had seen the movie)

Remember, in indirect speech, the verb tenses and pronouns need to be adjusted based on the context and the speaker's perspective.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to accurately report what someone said using indirect speech in Italian.