Indirect speech is speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person's actual words: for example, 'They said you didn't like it', 'I asked her what her plans were', and 'Citizens complained about the smoke'.
[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use indirect discourse
English Easy Learning GrammarReported speechReported speech or indirect speech reports something that was said, but does not usethe actual words that the speaker uttered. Lynn asked whether Pippa ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarReporting speechThere are two ways of writing down or reporting what was said on any occasion. Wecan repeat the actual words used (direct speech), Monica said, ‘There’s ... Read more
indirect speech in British English
or especially US indirect discourse
noun
the reporting of something said or written by conveying what was meant rather than repeating the exact words, as in the sentence He asked me whether I would go as opposed to He asked me, "Will you go?"