Using direct quotes is pretty straightforward – you copy the text and place a quotation mark at the beginning and the end. But, as with anything, using too many direct quotations is actually bad. The solution? Indirect quotations.
What Is Indirect Quotation?
As you might have guessed, an indirect quotation is the opposite of a direct quotation. Instead of copying the source’s exact words, you restate the idea in your own words based on how you understood it. And yes, that also means that you can skip the quotation marks.
Indirect Quotations Examples
Direct Quotation: “Reading every day improves vocabulary and comprehension”, the researcher exclaimed.
Indirect Quotation: The researcher explained that reading every day helps people better understand texts and learn new words.
Direct Quotation: The expert insists, “The risks of AI outweigh the benefits.”
Indirect Quotation: The expert argues that artificial intelligence causes more harm than good.
Direct Quote vs Indirect Quote: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between a direct quote and an indirect quote is that the former (the direct quote) is a repetition of someone’s exact words, placed inside quotation marks.
In an indirect quote, you skip the quotation marks because you are not directly copying someone’s words. This option gives you more control over tone, tense, and sentence flow.
Direct quote:
Maria said, “I need more time to finish the project.”
Indirect quote:
Maria said that she needed more time to finish the project.
Something to keep in mind: Indirect quotes don’t mean you can add your opinion or change the original text’s message.
Why Use Indirect Quotes
So, why use indirect quotes when direct quotes are more convenient? Well, indirect quotes show mastery of the topic, and they keep your writing smooth and natural. Here are other reasons why indirect quotes are useful:
- They let you focus on meaning, not wording.
- They help you avoid awkward or unclear phrasing.
- They give you more flexibility with tense and tone.
- They reduce the overuse of quotation marks.
How to Make An Indirect Quotation
Making an indirect quotation is way simpler than it sounds:
1. Name the Author and Use an Introductory Verb
Start by telling the reader who the idea comes from. Then add a verb that shows what the person did or meant.
Common introductory verbs include:
- Said
- Explained
- Claimed
- Noted
- Observed
- Argued
- Suggested
- Confirmed
These verbs are often followed by “that” to keep the sentence flowing naturally.
Example:
Marie Curie explained that scientific discovery often comes with personal sacrifice.
2. Paraphrase the Original Idea
As mentioned earlier, instead of repeating the original wording, you should restate the idea completely in your own words.
When paraphrasing:
- Focus on the main idea, not the phrasing
- Change sentence structure, not just a few words
- Shift pronouns if needed (for example, “I” becomes “he” or “she”)
- Keep the original meaning intact
Note: If you’re too close to the original wording, it’s not an indirect quote—it’s accidental copying, and you don’t want to be accused of plagiarism!
3. Add an In-Text Citation
Even though you’re using your own words, the idea still belongs to someone else. That’s why an in-text citation is required. In-text citation for indirect quotes depends on the style guide you are following, and whether you are following parenthetical citation or narrative citation.
For instance, in APA, you have the author’s last name and the year.
Here’s an example:
Steve Jobs stated that losing his job at Apple eventually became one of the most positive turning points in his life (Jobs, 2005).
But what about indirect (secondary) sources?
Sometimes, you’ll encounter a quote inside another source. If you can find the original source, that’s always the better option. But, if you can’t access the original source, you may use an indirect (secondary) citation. In that case:
- Mention the original author
- Add “as cited in” followed by the source you actually read
- List only the source you read in your reference list
Example:
Amy Saltzman defined mindfulness as paying attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity (Saltzman, 2014, as cited in Kane, 2020).
Tip: Use this approach sparingly and only when the original material isn’t available.
Free Direct to Indirect Quotation AI Generator
Rewriting direct quotes into indirect ones can be tiresome, especially if you’re concerned about sounding too much like the original. When in doubt, use this prompt to transform ChatGPT or Gemini into a free direct ot indirect quotation AI generator:
You are an expert in converting direct quotations into indirect quotations. Reminder: An indirect quotation conveys the speaker’s meaning without using their exact words—tense, pronouns, and sentence structure should change as needed.
Instructions:
Grammatically correct and natural-sounding in formal writing.
Faithful to the original meaning, but clearly reworded to avoid duplication and plagiarism.
Include the name of the original speaker or author.
Include a correct in-text citation in the specified style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
Provide at least one alternative phrasing if possible.
Text: [Insert text here]
Speaker/Author: [Insert name here]
Citation style: [APA / MLA / Chicago / Other]
Here is the text:Final Thoughts
And there you have it! You don’t have to settle for direct quotations all the time. Use indirect quotations, too, so you can make your writing stronger.