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reported speech

British  

noun

  1. another term for indirect speech

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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The acronym may still be used in reported speech and official documents but will usually be accompanied by an explanation i.e. specific information on a particular ethnic group not being available.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2021

In general use dialogue rather than reported speech.

From The Guardian • Dec. 14, 2019

Extended paragraphs of reported speech, not to mention exhaustive descriptions of the characters' outfits, add to the impression of a book written primarily as an outline for a television series.

From The Guardian • Aug. 3, 2012

Plenty of reported speech means Jack's task as storyteller is not as onerous as it might be, and for much of the time we simply watch the action unfold in dialogue.

From The Guardian • Aug. 6, 2010

No message came from Kathryn, and Betty had scarcely time to think of whether “Gypsy” had had an opportunity to find out anything further about Peggy’s reported speech.

From Betty Lee, Sophomore by Grove, Harriet Pyne