The spelling of the term "reported clause" follows the standard English rules of pronunciation. The first syllable is stressed, and is pronounced as /rɪˈpɔːtɪd/. The "e" is pronounced as a short "i" sound, and the "o" is pronounced as a soft "uh" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as /klɔːz/, with the "o" again making a soft "uh" sound. The "ed" at the end is pronounced as a separate syllable, as /ɪd/. Overall, the phonetic transcription of the word "reported clause" is /rɪˈpɔːtɪd klɔːz ɪd/.
A reported clause, also known as an indirect speech or indirect statement, refers to a subordinate clause that reports or relays information or speech expressed by someone else. It typically begins with a verb of saying, such as 'say', 'tell', 'ask', or 'inquire,' followed by a that-clause or a wh-clause.
In reported clauses, the speaker or writer is not directly quoting the words or thoughts of the original speaker or writer, but rather summarizing or paraphrasing the information. This allows for a more objective or distant representation of someone's words or ideas. Reported clauses are commonly used to assimilate information from sources or to communicate conversations or thoughts that have taken place earlier.
For example:
Direct speech: "I am going to the park," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she was going to the park.
In this example, the reported clause "she said that she was going to the park" reports the original speaker's statement indirectly, changing it from first-person to third-person perspective.
Overall, reported clauses play an important role in conveying information or reported speech, helping to maintain clarity in communication while introducing a level of detachment or indirectness.
The term "reported clause" consists of two parts: "reported" and "clause".
The word "reported" is derived from the verb "report", which enters the English language in the late 14th century from the Old French word "reporter". It originally meant "to bring back, relate, or tell" and later took on the sense of "give an account or tell what happened".
The term "clause" comes from the Latin word "clausula", which refers to a short section or part of a sentence. It entered English in the 14th century from the Old French word "clause", which also meant a short division or portion of a text.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "reported clause" combines the idea of relaying information or giving an account with a short section or part of a sentence.