direct and indirect speech exercises universal truth

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Turn the following sentences into indirect speech.

1. John said, ‘I am very busy now.’ 2. He said, ‘The horse has been fed.’ 3. ‘I know her name and address,’ said John. 4. ‘German is easy to learn,’ she said. 5. He said, ‘I am writing letters.’ 6. ‘It is too late to go out,’ Alice said. 7. He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’ 8. He says, ‘I am glad to be here this evening.’ 9. He said to me, ‘What are you doing?’ 10. ‘Where is the post office?’ asked the stranger. 11. He said, ‘Will you listen to me?’ 12. John said to Peter, ‘Go away.’ 13. She said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’ 14. ‘Call the witness,’ said the judge. 15. The speaker said, ‘Be quiet and listen to my words.’

1. John said that he was very busy then. 2. He said that the horse had been fed. 3. John said that he knew/knows her name and address. (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4. She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5. He said that he was writing letters. 6. Alice said that it was too late to go out. 7. He told me that he didn’t believe me. OR He said he didn’t believe me. 8. He says that he is glad to be here this evening. (When the reporting verb is in the present tense, adverbs of time and place do not normally change in indirect speech.) 9. He asked me what I was doing. 10. The stranger asked where the post office is/was. 11. He asked me if I would listen to him. 12. John ordered Peter to go away. 13. She asked me to wait there till she returned. 14. The judge commanded them to call the first witness. 15. He urged them to be quiet and listen to them.

direct and indirect speech exercises universal truth

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Direct and Indirect sentences of Universal truth with examples and exercise

In this article, I have explained the direct & Indirect sentences with universal truth with examples and exercises. I have also given the rules of the direct & Indirect sentences with universal truth. I have also explained the changes in pronouns of the sentences with universal truth.

What is universal Truth?

Rules of direct & indirect sentences with universal truth, important changes , reporting speech reporting speech, change of pronouns, change of persons.

1st person of reported speech is changed according to the subject of reporting speech 2nd person of reported speech is changed according to the object of reporting speech. 3rd person of the reported speech never changed.

Reported Speech Reporting Speech

1st person --------------- subject, 2nd person --------------- object, 3rd person ---------------- never changed, reporting speech reported speech, son " 123 ".

1st person of Reported speech changed according to Subject of Reporting Speech
2nd person of the Reported speech changed according to the Object of Reporting Speech
3rd Person of Reported never changed.

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I am a published author of dozens of books in Pakistan. I have been Editor of The Guide in National University of Modern Languages Islamabad (NUML). I am MPhil in Applied Languistics from University of the Lahore. Being an M.Ed I mostly spend my time training the teachers.

Direct and indirect speech

8th - 9th grade.

35 questions

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Mum said, "It is windy today."

Mum said that it is windy today.

Mum said that it was windy today.

Mum said that it was windy that day.

Mum said that it is windy that day.

Dad said, "You should tidy up your rooms now."

Dad said that they should tidy up their rooms then.

Dad said that they should tidy up your rooms then.

Dad said that they should tidy up their rooms now.

Dad said they should tidy up their rooms then.

Prince Harry said, "I bought a beautiful ring for Meghan yesterday."

Prince Harry said that he had bought a beautiful ring for Meghan yesterday.

Prince Harry said that he had bought a beautiful ring for Meghan the previous day.

Prince Harry said that he bought a beautiful ring for Meghan the previous day.

Prince Harry said he had bought a beautiful ring for Meghan yesterday.

Which of the following is a UNIVERSAL TRUTH?

The students are clever.

Tommy is my good friend.

Paula is good at Math.

Whales are mammals.

The students said, "We are working hard for the International Festival."

The students said that they are working hard for the International Festival.

The students said that they were working hard for the International Festival.

The students said that we were working hard for the International Festival.

The students said they are working hard for the International Festival.

Auggie said, "I study in Beecher Prep School."

Auggie said that he studies in Beecher Prep School.

Auggie said that I studied in Beecher Prep School.

Auggie said he studies in Beecher Prep School.

Auggie said that he studied in Beecher Prep School.

Harry remarked, "I will go to Hogwarts tomorrow."

Harry remarked that he would go to Hogwarts the next day.

Harry remarked that he will go to Hogwarts the next day.

Harry remarked that I would go to Hogwarts the next day.

Harry remarked that he would go to Hogwarts tomorrow.

Erica said, "My friends and I were playing in the park."

Erica said that her friends and she had been playing in the park.

Erica said that her friends and she had played in the park.

Erica said her friends and she had been playing in the park.

Erica said that she and her friends had been playing in the park.

Grandfather said, "I saw that beautiful ship go down a few years ago."

Grandfather said that he saw the ship go down a few years before.

Grandfather said he saw the ship go down a few years before.

Grandfather said that I saw the ship go down a few years before.

Grandfather said that he saw the ship go down a few years ago.

'This morning / today / tonight ' change to -

that morning / that day / tomorrow night

that morning / that day / tonight

that morning / that day / that night

that morning / today / that night

'Yesterday / last Friday' change to -

yesterday / the previous Friday

the previous day / the previous Friday

tomorrow / the previous Friday

the previous day / last Friday

Danny said, "Some people were hunting in the forest today."

Danny said that some people were hunting in the forest that day.

Danny said that some people had hunted in the forest that day.

Danny said that some people had been hunting in the forest that day.

Danny said that some people was hunting in the forest that day.

He asked me “Open your book!”

He asked me to open my book.

He asked me opening my book.

He asked me to open your book.

He asks me to open my book.

The teacher said to the students “Be quiet while I am talking”

The teacher said to the students to be quiet while she is talking.

The teacher said to the students to be quiet while I am talking.

The teacher said to the students to be quiet while she told.

The teacher said to the students to be quiet while she talks.

Mother asked John, "Don't smoke too much!"

Mother asked John to do not smoke too much.

Mother asked John that not t smoke too much.

Mother asked John to not smoke too much.

Mother asked John to smoke too much.

John asked Mary, "Why do you get angry with me?"

John asked Mary why she got angry with him.

John asked Mary why she gets angry with him.

John asked Mary why she had gotten angry with him.

John asked Mary why she is angry with him.

17. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 1. How do we write the following in direct speech? Kelly said I am feeling sick today. Kelly said "I am feeling sick today." Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today". Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today." Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today?
18. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 2. What is missing in the sentence that follows? James asked "Are you coming to my house today?" ! ? , .
19. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 3. Which of the following sentences is correct? Mai said, "My family is going to the market today." "We want candy!" The children shouted. "I told you not to go there." My father said. Chloe asked, "where is my timetable?"
20. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 4. Which of these is correct? "Could you help me carry these bags?" He asked. "Could you help me carry these bags?" he asked. "Could you help me carry these bags" he asked? "Could you help me carry these bags," he asked?
21. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 5. Which of these is correct? Jamal said, “We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa". Jamal said, We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa. Jamal said, “We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa.” Jamal said, “we passed by a beautiful lake in Goa.”
22. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 6. What's missing from this sentence? He said, “be quiet, please, and listen to my words.” Quotation marks A capital letter An exclamation mark A question mark
23. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 7. Which is correct? He said, “Could you please repeat the question"? He said, Could you please repeat the question?” He said, "could you please repeat the question?” He said, “Could you please repeat the question?”

Indirect speech is also known as what?

Repeated speech

Repeated statements

Reported speech

Reported statements

Speech marks are needed for what?

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Convert the followiing statement into direct speech: She asked the teacher when they could eat their snacks.

The teacher was asked when the girl could eat her snacks.

When can we eat our snacks?

"When can we eat our snacks? She asked"

She asked the teacher, "When can we eat our snacks?"

27. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Which of these sentences has punctuated speech correctly? “We’re going to the theme park!” the little boy exclaimed. We’re going to the “theme park!” the little boy exclaimed. We’re going to the theme park! “the little boy exclaimed.” “We’re going to the theme park! the little boy exclaimed.”
28. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt DIRECT SPEECH: will buy INDIRECT SPEECH: would buy won't buy
29. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 1. How do we write the following in direct speech? Kelly said I am feeling sick today. Kelly said "I am feeling sick today." Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today". Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today." Kelly said, "I am feeling sick today?
30. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt 3. Which of the following sentences is correct? Mai said, "My family is going to the market today." "We want candy!" The children shouted. "I told you not to go there." My father said. Chloe asked, "where is my timetable?"
31. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Choose the correct option: Petra: ‘I won’t tell you what happened until tomorrow.’ Petra said she wouldn’t tell me what had happened until the next day. Petra said she wouldn’t tell me what had happened until tomorrow. Petra said she won’t tell me what had happened until the next day.
32. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Choose the correct option: Lola: ‘We want to see the Eiffel Tower today.’ Lola said they wanted to see the Eiffel Tower that day. Lola said they wanted to see the Eiffel Tower this day. Lola said they have wanted to see the Eiffel Tower that day.
33. Multiple Choice Edit 30 seconds 1 pt Choose the correct option: Reporter: ‘The police are questioning the suspect this morning.’ The reporter said the police were questioning the suspect that morning. The reporter said the police questioned the suspect that morning. The reporter said the police had questioned the suspect that morning.

“I don’t have time to play game,” said Jack.

I told my father that I could get a better grade in English and science.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Rules and Exercises

reported speech.

There are two ways of narrating or saying anything, first by using the actual words of the speaker and secondly by reporting what has been said. When we use the exact words of the speaker without any change anywhere, it is called direct form.

This is done by enclosing the speech within inverted commas (“…………….”).

When, however, the words of the speaker are reported without using the actual words, it is called the indirect form of narration.

The following examples will make this clear:

(a) He said, “I shall go home.” (Direct)

He said that he would go home. (Indirect)

(b) I said, “Ile has not done his homework.” (Direct)

I said that he had not done his homework. (Indirect)

(c)Sita said, “I am not going to school today.” (Direct)

Sita said that she was not going to school that day (Indirect)

(i) In the direct form , the actual words of the speaker have been enclosed within inverted commas and quotation begins with a capital letter.

(ii)In the indirect form , the main words are the same but the construction is a bit different. The main differences are :

(a) that the inverted commas have been replaced by the word that in affirmative sentences.

(b) the comma after the main verb disappears.

(d) the words indicating nearness have been changed into words signifying distance.

(iii) The direct narration has two parts :

(1) The Reporting Speech

(2) The Reported Speech

The speech which is outside the inverted commas is called the reporting speech and its verb, the reporting verb while the speech within the inverted commas is the reported speech — the speech that includes the actual words of the speaker.

(iv)Interrogative sentences end with the mark of interrogation (?) while exclamatory and optative sentences end with a mark of exclamation (!)

RULES FOR THE CONVERSION OF STATEMENTS

Rule 1. Change in the Reporting Verb.

The reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into told, added, observed, remarked, promised etc.

1. He said to Ram, “Mohan will go:” (Direct)

He told Ram that Mohan would go. (Indirect)

2. He said, “Mohan is clever” (Direct)

He remarked that Mohan was clever. (Indirect)

3. Shruti said, “Brother, I am already late.” (Direct)

Shruti told her brother that she was already late. (Indirect)

Remember that the reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into ‘told’ only when it is followed by an object. If there is no object, ‘said’ will not change.

Rule II. Changes in the speech introducing the Reporting Speech:

The inverted commas are removed and ‘that is placed instead.

He said to me, ‘You are a clever boy” (Direct)

He told me that I was a clever boy. (Indirect)

Rule III. Changes in the tense of the verb in the Reported Speech:

(a)If the reporting verb is in the Present or Future Tense, the tense of the verb in the reported speech is not changed :

The teacher says, “He is an intelligent boy.” (Direct)

The teacher says that he is an intelligent boy. (Indirect)

Tina will says, “The servant was wrong.” (Direct)

Tina will say that the servant was wrong. (Indirect)

(b) If the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, the tense of the verb in the reported speech is changed into the corresponding past tense, i.e.,

Note: Must changes as

(i) When indicating a prohibition, permanent rule command, advice, intention, must not change.

(ii) When indicating necessity or compulsion must is changed into—(a) had to for present or immediate necessity.

(b) would have to fix future necessity.

The exception to Rule III (b)

If the reported speech expresses some universal truth or habitual fact or some characteristics, the tense of the verb is not changed.

UNIVERSAL TRUTH

Our teacher said, “Man is mortal. (Direct)

Our teacher said that man is mortal. (Indirect)

He said to me, “I walk daily in the morning.” (Direct)

He told that he walks daily in the morning. (Indirect)

CHARACTERISTICS

He said, -Gold is One of the most useful metals. ” (Direct)

He said that gold is one of the most useful metals. (Indirect)

Rule IV. Change in the Personal Pronouns in the Reported Speech :

(i) Pronouns of the first Person in the reported speech of the direct form are changed in the indirect turns to the person of the subject of the reporting verb.

He said, ” I am not guilty. (Direct)

He said that he was not guilty. (Indirect)

(ii) Pronouns of the Second Person in the reported speech of direct form are changed in the indirect form to the person of the object of the reporting verb.

He said to me, “You are right.” (Direct)

He told me that I was right. (Indirect)

(iii) Pronouns of the Third Person in the reported speech remain unchanged in indirect speech.

I said to him, “She is very clever.” (Direct)

I told him that she was very clever. (Indirect)

Rule V. The words in the Reported Speech expressing nearness are changed into words expressing distance :

Direct Indirect

Now then

here there

today that day

yesterday the previous day

tomorrow the next day

last night the previous night

this that

these those

ago before

tonight that night

thus so

next day/week the following day/week

Exception: if, however, the sense of the indirect speech is such that the act of reporting is happening at the same time and the same place, there is no change in the above words; as.

Ruchi said, ‘This is my house.” (Direct)

Ruchi said that this was her house. (Indirect)

Rule VI. Rules for the conversion of Interrogative Sentences

In Interrogative Sentences :

(a) The rule I : The reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into asked or enquired of; as,

He said to me. “Will you go ?” (Direct)

He asked me whether/if I would go. (Indirect)

He enquired of me if/whether I would go. (Indirect)

(b) Rule II : Remove the comma and the inverted commas.

(i) In case of questions which are introduced by the finite verb or its auxiliaries is, am, are, was, were, do, does, did, can, may. will shall, has, have, had, etc . in which the answer is in ‘yes’ or ‘no’, introduce if or whether to join the Principal clause with the subordinate one.

He said to me. “Have you done your homework ?” (Direct)

He asked me if/whether I had done my homework. (Indirect)

Mr John said, “Is Mr Gupta at home?” (Direct)

Mr John inquired if Mr Gupta was at home. (Indirect)

(ii) In case of interrogative sentences which begin with interrogative pronouns or adverbs like, which, what, why, when, where, how, etc. the first w(: rd of the sentence is made the connectivity :

He said to me. “Why are you late today ?” (Direct)

He asked me why I was late that day (Indirect)

Remember: The mark of Interrogation (?) is never retained in the indirect form and the subject is brought before the verb as in assertive sentences.

Rule VII. Rules for the conversion of Imperative Sentences.

In Imperative Sentences :

(a) Rule I . The reporting verb is changed into ordered, commanded, requested. advised. , etc.,

according to sense.

He said to me, “Please. don’t keep me waiting so long.- (Direct)

He requested me not to keep him waiting so long. (Indirect)

(b) Rule II . The reported speech is changed into the infinitive mood by infinitive mode by

introducing ‘to’ in place of inverted commas.

He said to me, “Go out.” (Direct)

He ordered me to go out. (Indirect)

All nouns and pronouns in the vocative case in the reported speech are turned into the personal object of the reporting verb.

He said. “Ankur, sit still.” (Direct)

He told Ankur to sit still. (Indirect)

(c) In the sentences beginning with ‘let’ the reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into ‘proposed’ ‘ requested to be allowed’, etc.

He said, “Let us go out for a walk.” (Direct)

He proposed that they should go out for an (Indirect)

Remember : Rules regarding the change often personal pronouns etc. are the same as in assertive sentences.

Rule VIII. Rules for the conversion of exclamatory and optative sentences

In Exclamatory and Optative sentences:

(a) Rule I . Reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into ‘exclaimed’ in the case of exclamatory sentences and into wished or prayed in the case of optative sentences. He said, “Hurrah! We have won the match.” (Direct)

He exclaimed with delight that they had won the match. (Indirect)

He said, “Alas! It is a grievous loss.” (Direct)

He exclaimed with sorrow that that was a grievous loss. (Indirect)

Note: An exclamatory sentence contains words which express certain strong emotions of anger, joy, surprise, resentment, hatred, etc . Therefore, these feelings are added to the following verbs thus :

Alas! = exclaimed with sorrow.

Hurrah = exclaimed with joy.

Oh, = exclaimed with regret.

Ah ah! = exclaimed with delight.

Pooh! Pooh! = exclaimed with contempt.

He said, “May God bless you with a son!” (Direct)

He prayed that God might bless him with a son. (Indirect)

(b) Rule II . First, change the exclamatory or optative sentences into assertive sentences and then follow Rule II in the case of assertive sentences.

He said, “What a fine bird it is!” (Direct)

He exclaimed that it was a very fine bird. (Indirect)

Note: The sign of exclamation (!) is omitted and all interjections, such as Alas! Hurrah ! etc. are dropped.

Alas ! how extravagant I have been !” said he. (Direct)

He confessed with regret that he had been very extravagant. (Indirect)

Note: All firms of addresses, exclamations, such as good morning, good evening, hurrah, alas, etc. should be omitted but the sense of the sentence should be retained.

GENERAL RULES

A passage in the direct form sometimes consists of several types of sentences enumerated above. In such an event a new reporting verb. As suited to the reported speech, is added with every sentence. In case, two or more sentences are of the same type, there is no need for adding a new reporting verb. Take for instance the following example:

The teacher said, “Why are von late today.

Mohan? Have you no watch or dock in your house? It is thus that you want to make up your deficiency.”

In this passage, all the sentences are interrogative ones and therefore. we will render it in indirect turn by adding the reporting ‘asked’ or ‘enquired’ of with the main verb, thus :

The teacher asked khan why he was late that day, if he had no watch or clock in his, 1 house and if it y. as this that he wanted to make up his deficiency.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

Rain said. “I write a letter.”

Ram said that he wrote a letter.

Reena said, “I am listening to music.”

Reena said that she was listening to music.

Pranav said, “I have not completed my homework. “

Pranav said that He had not completed his homework.

The gardener said, “I have been watering the plants since morning. “

The gardener said that he had been watering the plants since morning.

Kunal said, “I bought a pen. “

Kunal said that he had bought a pen.

She said, “I shall not sing a song. “

She said that she would not sing a song.

Raja said, “He may come tomorrow.”

Raja said that he might come the next day

Preeti said, “I must go home at once.”

Preeti said that she had to go home at once.

The teacher said The earth revolves around the sun.”

The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun.

He said, “Will you come tomorrow? “

He asked whether you would come the next day.

He said, “Will you stop disturbing me? “

He asked me if I would stop disturbing him and said that I would not.

He said, “Bravo ! you have brought victory”

He applauded him saying that he had brought victory.

Versha said to Vaibhav, “Don’t play till late evening. “

Versha forbade Vaibhav to play till late evening.

Versha advised Vaibhav not to play till late evening.

Remember: If the reported speech is in negative, use forbade in place of say,

Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise:-

Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise – 1 & 2 (Solved) Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise – 3 & 4 (Solved) Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise – 5 & 6 (Solved) Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise – 7 & 8 (Solved) Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise – 9 & 10 (Solved)

Direct And Indirect Speech Quiz: Test Your Skills

Are you eager to assess your English grammar proficiency in an enjoyable manner? Dive into this Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz to gauge your knowledge of these two forms of reported speech. Reporting speech involves conveying someone else's words, and it can be done in two primary ways: direct and indirect speech. In direct speech, you repeat the speaker's words verbatim. In contrast, indirect speech conveys the speaker's message without using their exact words. This quiz presents an engaging opportunity to test your understanding of these concepts and improve your grammatical skills. By participating in this quiz, you Read more can enhance your grasp of the nuances between direct and indirect speech, which is essential for effective communication and writing. So, are you ready for the challenge? Let's embark on this educational journey and see how well you can navigate the intricacies of reported speech. Best of luck!

Direct And Indirect Speech Questions and Answers

What would the indirect speech be: maria said, "it's my car.".

Maria said that it is my car.

Maria said that it is her car.

Maria said that it was my car.

Maria said that it was her car.

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What would the indirect speech be: Martin said, "I work here every day."?

Martin said that he worked here yesterday.

Martin said that he worked there every day.

Martin said that he works here every day.

Martin said that he worked every day.

What would the indirect speech be: Monica said, "I have finished my homework."?

Monica said that she had finished her homework.

Monica said that she had finished my homework.

Monica said that she has finished her homework.

Monica said that she has finished my homework."

What would the indirect speech be: My daughter said to me, "I can sleep alone."?

My daughter said to me that I can sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she can sleep alone."

My daughter said to me that she could sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she could sleep alone.

What would the indirect speech be: Leo said, "My friend may come tonight."?

Leo said that his friend might come tonight.

Leo said that his friend might come that night.

Leo said that his friend might go that night.

Leo said that his friend might go tonight.

What would the indirect speech be: Jullie said to me, "I have to win this game."?

Jullie told me that she must win this game.

Jullie told me that she had to win that game.

Jullie told me that she had to win this game.

Jullie told me that she must win that game.

What would the indirect speech be: He said, "I am a man."?

He said that he was a man.

He said that he is a man.

He said that I am a man.

He said that I was a man.

What would the indirect speech be: Mary said, "I am coming here."?

Mary said that she was coming there.

Mary said that she is coming there.

Mary insists that she had been coming there.

Mary says that she had come here.

What would the indirect speech be: My brother said, "I went to school yesterday."?

My brother said that he had gone to school today.

My brother said that he had gone to school the day after.

My brother said that he had gone to school the previous day.

My brother said that he had gone to school the next day.

What would the indirect speech be: Mathew said, "I will go to school next year."?

Mathew said that he would go to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would go to school the following year.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year after.

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Direct And Indirect Speech Complete Rules

We often convey a message or give information about what someone said, thought or felt to somebody else. In order to do this you can use the grammar structure named direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech. Indeed this structure can be a source of confusion for ESL learners because they mix it with active and passive voice . Read the whole article to know about direct and indirect speech rules.

To learn more about direct and indirect speech click here.

Initially we will look at direct and indirect speech, then look at how to convert speech from direct to indirect or vice-versa.

Direct Speech / Quoted Speech Saying or quoting exactly what someone has said is called direct speech (sometimes called quoted speech) Here what a person says appears within quotation marks (“…”) a nd should be word for word.

She said, “Today’s lesson is about direct and indirect speech.” or
“Today’s lesson is about direct and indirect speech.”, she said.

Indirect Speech / Reported Speech Saying or reporting what someone said without quoting his exact words is called indirect speech. Here we don’t use quotation marks to enclose what the person said and does not have to be word for word.

He said that yesterday’s lesson was about direct and indirect speech.

Reporting Verb The verb in the first part of sentence (i.e. say, said, tell, admit, complain, explain remind, reply think, hope, offer, refuse etc.) before the statement of a person in sentence is called reporting verb.

How to Change Direct Speech into Indirect Speech?

Rule 1. (Adverbs of Time and Place)

If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you must change it to fit in with the time of reporting, and adverb of nearness should be put into those of distance.

Today => y esterday/ that day
This evening => t hat evening
These (days) => those (days)
Now => then
(A week) ago => (a week) before
Last weekend => the previous weekend
Here => there
Here after => there after
Next (week) => the following (week)/ a week after
Tomorrow => the next/following day
Thus => so
Last night => the previous night
Yesterday => the day before / the previous day
Hither => thither
Hence => thence

Note: If something is said and reported at the same time, then the time expression can remain the same.

He told me today, “ I will go to Karachi tomorrow.”
He told me today he would go to Karachi tomorrow.
She told me this week, “ we gave our exam last week.”
She told me this week, they had given their exam last wee.

Rule 2. Tenses

A) If the reporting verb is in present or future (i.e say, says or will say) then don’t change the tense that you can find within the quotation marks.

He says,”I was a fool then.”
He says that he was a fool then.
I will say, “ He loves his mom.”
I will say that he loves his mom.

B) If reporting verb is in the past tense. the tense of the verbs in the reported speech or indirect speech must be generally changed. This is because when we use reported speech, we are usually talking about a time in the past (because obviously the person who spoke originally spoke in the past). The verbs therefore usually have to be in the past too.

He said,”I am going to the cinema.”
He said he was going to the cinema.

Tense Change As a rule when you report something someone has said you go back a tense. Present Simple › Past simple

She said, ”it is cold,”
She said it was cold.

Present continuous › Past continuous

She said, “I’m teaching Math online.”
She said she was teaching Math online.

Present perfect › Past perfect

She said, “I’ve lived in Pakistan since 1999.”
She said she had lived in Pakistan since 1999.

Present perfect continuous › Past perfect continuous

She said, “I’ve been teaching English for seven years.”
She said she had been teaching English for seven years.

Past simple › Past perfect

She said, “I taught active and passive yesterday.”
She said she had taught active and passive yesterday.

Past continuous › Past perfect continuous

She said, “I was teaching the lesson.”
She said she had been teaching the lesson.

Past perfect › Past perfect

She said, “The lesson had already started when he arrived.”
NO CHANGE – She said the lesson had already started when he arrived.

Past perfect continuous › Past perfect continuous

She said, “I’d already been teaching for five minutes.”
NO CHANGE – She said she’d already been teaching for five minutes.

Modal verb forms also sometimes change: Will › would

She said, “I’ll teach English online tomorrow.”
She said she would teach English online tomorrow.

Can › could

She said, “I can teach English online.”
She said she could teach English online.

Must › had to

She said, “I must have a computer to teach English online.”
She said she had to have a computer to teach English online.

Shall › › should/ would

She said, “What shall we learn today?”
She asked what we should learn today.
He said, ”I shall appreciate it.”
He said he would appreciate it.

May › might

She said, “May I open a new browser?”
She asked if she might open a new browser.

Note – There is no change to; could, would, should, might and ought to.

“I might go to the cinema”, he said.
He said he might go to the cinema.

Rule 3. (After wish, would rather, had better , it is time)

Ali said, ”I wish they were in Pakistan.”
Ali said he wished they were in Pakistan.
Hussain said, “ I would rather fly.”
Hussain said he would rather fly.
Zahra said, ” they had better go.”
Zahra said they had better go.
Ahmed said, “It is time I got up.”
Ahmed said it was time he got up.

If indirect speech the words within quotation marks talk of a universal truth or habitual action or when a sentence is made and reported at the same time and the fact is still true then the tense inside the quotation marks is not changed at all.

He said,”My name is Ali.”
He said his name was Ali Or He said his name is Ali.
The teacher said,” the sun rises in the east.”
The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.
Shazia said, “ I am thirsty.”
Shazia said she is thirsty.

You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event.

She said,”next week’s lesson is on reported speech.”
She said next week’s lesson will be on reported speech.

Rule 6. (Pronouns)

We have to change the pronouns to keep the same meaning of a sentence.

Ali said, “ We are the best players.”
Ali said they were the best players.

Note: Sometimes we have to use a noun instead of a pronoun, otherwise the new sentence is confusing consider the examples below:

Mohammad said, “He killed them.”
Mohammad said that the man had killed them.

(If we only make mechanical changes, then the new sentence can have different meaning)

Mohammad said he had killed them. (Mohammad himself killed them)

Rule 7. Reported Speech In If-Clauses.

Hussain: “If I tidied my room, my dad would be happy.”
Hussain said that if he tidied his room, his dad would be happy.
Teacher: “If you concentrate, you will learn about direct and indirect speech.”
Teacher said if we concentrate we would learn about direct and indirect speech.

Rule 8. Reported Speech of Time-Clauses.

Ali: “When I was staying in Quetta I met my best friend.” –
He said that when he was staying in Quetta he met his best friend.

Rule 9. Reported Speech of Interrogative Sentences 1. Remove the quotation marks and question mark in the interrogative sentence. 2. Use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ if the sentence inside the quotation marks begins with a helping verb (Auxiliary verb). 3. Use the given interrogative word (what, when, where, why, who, whom, whose, which, now etc.) if it does not begin with the helping verb. 4. Don‘t use ‘that’ 5. Changing the reporting verb (say, said) into ‘ask, want to know wonder or inquire’ in its correct tense. 6. Omit helping verb like ‘do, does, did’. But don’t omit them when they are with ‘not’.

Said I to my teacher,” won’t you help me to learn about direct and indirect speech complete rules?”
I asked my teacher if he would not help me to learn about direct and indirect speech complete rules.
“ How often do you go to the cinema?” Ali said to Ahmed,
Ali asked Ahmed how often he went to the cinema.
“Where have you been?” he said.
He asked me where I had been.
“What time did it start?” he said.
He wanted to know what time it had started.
“Why won’t he do it?” she said.
She wondered why he wouldn’t do it.

Rule 10. Reported Speech of Yes/ No Questions

In yes/no questions we use if or whether in questions. If is more common and whether is more formal.

“Will you go?” she asked me.
She asked me if/whether I would go.
“Did he buy a car?” she said.
She wondered if/whether he had bought a car.

Rule 11. Reported Speech of Commands and Requests

1. Remove the quotation mark in an Imperative sentence. 2. Use ‘to’ if it is an affirmative sentence. (without don‘t) 3. Use ‘not to’ if the sentence begins without Don‘t. 4. Don‘t use ‘that’ 5. Omit the word ‘please’. Use the word ‘request’ instead of ‘say’. 6. If the direct speech contains a request or a command, the reporting verb (say, said) change to tell, request, order, command etc. in its correct tense. 7. The commands, requests and advice mostly have the same form in English: verb + object + infinitive (advise, ask, beg, forbid, order, persuade, recommend, tell, urge, warn etc.).

“Get up!” he said.
He warned me to get up.
“Please, revise for the test,” he said.
He requested me to revise for the test.
“Bring me a cup of tea” said Zahra to Sara.
Zahrs asked Sara to bring her a cup of tea.

Negative: + object + not + infinitive.

“Don’t hesitate,” he said.
He persuaded me not to hesitate.
“Don’t smoke,” the doctor warned my father.
The doctor warned my father not to smoke.

Rule 12. Reported Speech of Advice If it contains advice the reporting verb changes into advised.

“Put on your coat,” I said.
I advised him to put on his coat.

Rule 13. Reported Speech of Exclamatory Sentences

1. Change the exclamatory sentence into statement or assertive 2. Remove the quotation marks and exclamatory mark. 3. Use the conjunction ‘that’ 4. Omit the interjections such as Oh, O, Alas, how, what, hurrah. 5. Add the word ‘very’ to the adjective or adverb if necessary. 6. If the verb is not given, use ‘Be’ form verb (is, was, are, were, am) in its correct tense according to the subject. 7. Change the reporting verb (say, said) to ‘exclaim joyfully’ 8. Use ‘exclaim’ sorrowfully for sorrowful incidents.

She said ,” Wow, What a beautiful car that is!”
She exclaimed joyfully that was a verb beautiful car.
He said,” Alas! I have missed the paper.”
He exclaimed sorrowfully that he had missed the paper.

Rule 14. Use of ‘That’ in Reported Speech

In reported speech, the word that is often used, however it is optional. We recommend you no to use it because in some cases we don’t use ‘That’ in reported speech like: question, command request and order, so its better not to use it.

He told me that he lived in Hazara Town.
He told me he lived in Hazara Town.

Rule 15. Punctuation in Direct Speech

In direct speech, various punctuation conventions are used to separate the quoted words from the rest of the text: this allows a reader to follow what’s going on. Here are the basic rules: A) We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (“) are preferred in American English, while single quotes (‘) are more common in British English:

“I’m coming home late tonight,” she said. (American English)
‘I’m coming home late tonight,’ she said. (British English)

B) Every time a new speakers says something, you should start a new paragraph:

“They think it’s a more respectable job,” said Ali.
“I don’t agree,” I replied.

C) There should be a comma, full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark at the end of a piece of speech. This is placed inside the closing inverted comma or commas.

He asked, “ Can I go outside?”
She shouted, “ Sit down!”
We said, “ They are wrong.”

D) If the direct speech is broken up by information about who is speaking, you need a comma (or a question mark or exclamation mark) to end the first piece of speech and a full stop or another comma before the second piece (before the inverted comma or commas):

“You’re right,” he said. “It feels strange.”
“Thinking back,” she said, “he didn’t expect to win.”
“No!” he cried. “You can’t leave now!”

Conclusion: I hope that the points that I have mentioned above about direct and indirect speech may prove beneficial for people learning English. All you need to do is to understand the crucial rules of direct and indirect speech, and don’t mix it with passive and active voice.

Check out Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises With Answers

If you would like to know more about direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech, check out more in the book below.

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answers: 1-10 , exercise: 11 - 20, answers: 11-20 , exercise: 21 - 30, answers: 21 - 30, exercise: 31 - 40, answers: 31 - 40 , exercise: 41 - 50, answers: 41-50 , exercise: 51 - 58, answers: 51 - 58 , exercise: 59 - 70, answers: 59 - 70 , exercise: 71 - 80, answers: 71-80 , exercise: 81 - 90, answers: 81-90 , exercise: 91 - 100, answers: 91-100 , exercise: 101 - 107, answers: 101-106 .

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There you'll find a pdf on this topic . The answers are given there.

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Where is the answers.

https://t.me/the_newday_learning/143

Where will i find the answers

Answers: https://t.me/the_newday_learning/143

In the article I've twice mentioned where you can find the answer. Please read it carefully. Thanks for commenting. Visit again 😊😊

Thank you Soo much

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Thank u so much for such websites .best learning website ever .

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She says, “I don’t know.” -She said that she doesn’t know. is it correct? please check.

Thanks for spotting my error. I've rectified it. Visit again.

No it is not correct.

Amazing question these are.

She says, “I don’t know.” -She said that she doesn’t know. is it correct?

He Said to him, ''What are you reading?''

He asked him what he had been reading

ch***ya go do $*x with ur mom

She said," cricket is my favorite game " She said that cricket was his favorite game Is it correct?

No. "his" should be "her". Please mention the question number so that I can find the error.

She said that cricket was her favourite game .

40. He told you that they didn’t care about what other people said. is it correct? 'did' takes first form of verb. should not said be replaced with say?

No dear. Did + the first form of verb is there i.e. "care". "Care" is the main verb her that is in its 1st form. "Said" is a different verb in a different clause.

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100 + Direct and Indirect Speech Examples and Answers (2025)

Gain a deep understanding of 100+ examples of direct and indirect speech, along with detailed, step-by-step guides on converting between the two. Enhance the skill of maintaining correct tense, pronoun, and modal usage when transforming direct and indirect speech. Explore comprehensive examples to support your learning journey.

Direct Speech Examples

When a speech is quoted with exact words used by the speaker is called Direct speech or narration .

Direct Speech: Ravi says, “I am tired.”

The speech which is quoted above in actual words (“ I am tired” is called the Reported Speech and the verb (“ says “) that introduces speech is called the Reporting Verb. The above speech is called Direct Speech .

Indirect Speech Examples

On the other hand, when the speech is reported in the form of a narrative, without quoting the speaker’s actual words , it is called Indirect speech or narration.

Indirect Speech: Ravi says that he is tired.

The above speech is reported in the form of a narrative , without quoting the speaker’s actual words , but keeping the meaning the same. So, it is Indirect Speech

Direct and Indirect Speech with Examples of Punctuation Marks

Punctuating direct and indirect speech correctly is essential for clarity and grammatical correctness in writing. Let me provide examples of both with explanations:

Direct Speech:

Direct speech involves conveying the exact words spoken by a person. When punctuating direct speech, you enclose the spoken words within quotation marks and separate them from the rest of the sentence using commas, question marks, or exclamation marks as appropriate.

Original sentence (Direct Speech): “I love reading,” she said.
Explanation: The spoken words “I love reading” are enclosed within quotation marks. The comma after “reading” indicates the end of the spoken sentence but keeps the dialogue flowing within the sentence.
Original sentence (Direct Speech): “What time is the meeting?” he asked.
Explanation: The question asked is enclosed within quotation marks. The comma after “meeting” separates the spoken words from the attribution “he asked.”

Indirect Speech:

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words. When punctuating indirect speech, you do not use quotation marks. Instead, you change the verb tense and possibly pronouns to reflect the shift from direct to indirect speech.

Original sentence: “I’ll be there at 3 PM,” she said.
Indirect speech: She said she would be there at 3 PM.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the verb tense changes from “I’ll” to “she would,” reflecting the shift from present to past tense. The spoken words are not enclosed within quotation marks, and the reporting verb “said” is used to attribute the speech.
Original sentence: “I want to travel the world,” he exclaimed.
Indirect speech: He exclaimed that he wanted to travel the world.
Explanation: The verb tense changes from “want” to “wanted” in indirect speech. The spoken words are not enclosed within quotation marks, and the attribution “he exclaimed” is used to report the speech.

In both direct and indirect speech, proper punctuation and verb tense agreement are crucial for accurately conveying the speaker’s words and maintaining grammatical correctness within the sentence.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of All Tenses

In English grammar, examples of all tenses can be found in both direct and indirect speech, illustrating how verbs and structures change to reflect the shift in time.

1. Present Tense Examples

Direct: “I love chocolate,” she says . Indirect: She says that she lo ves chocolate.

Direct: “I am watching TV,” he says. Indirect: He says that he is watching TV.

Direct: “I have finished my homework,” she says. Indirect: She says that she has finished her homework.

Direct: “I have been studying for hours,” he says. Indirect: He says that he has been studying for hours.

Direct: “I played cricket,” he says . Indirect: He says that he played cricket.

Direct: “I shall visit New York,” he says . Indirect: He says that he will visit New York.

Direct: He says, “You will make a good result.” Indirect: He says that I shall make a good result.

Direct: They say, “We won the match.” Indirect: They say that they won the match.

2. Past Tense Examples

Direct: “I visited Paris last summer,” she said. Indirect: She said that she had visited Paris last summer.

Direct: “I was reading a book when you called,” he said. Indirect: He said that he had been reading a book when I called.

Direct: “I had already eaten dinner when she arrived,” she said. Indirect: She said that she had already eaten dinner when I arrived.

Direct: “I had been working on this project for months,” he said. Indirect: He said that he had been working on that project for months.

Direct: She said to me, “I am writing a letter now.” Indirect: She told me that she was writing a letter then.:

Direct: He said to me, “I shall not do it.” Indirect: He told me that he would not do it.

Direct: They said to us, “You make a mistake.” Indirect: They told us that we made a mistake

Direct: The doctor said to me, “You have brought the patient in time.” Indirect: The doctor told me that I had brought the patient in time.

Direct: Mother said , “I took tea.” Indirect: Mother said that she had taken tea.

Direct: My friend said to me, “you were doing a good job.” Indirect: My friend told me that I had been doing a good job.

Direct: The man said to me, “I had not seen you before.” Indirect: The man told me that he had not seen me before.

3. Future Tense Examples:

Direct: “I will call you tomorrow,” she will say. Indirect: She will say that she will call me tomorrow.

Direct: “I will be traveling to Europe next month,” he will say. Indirect: He will say that he will be traveling to Europe next month.

Direct: “I will have finished the project by Friday,” she will say. Indirect: She will say that she will have finished the project by Friday.

Direct: “I will have been studying for five hours by then,” he will say. Indirect: He will say that he will have been studying for five hours by then.

Direct: He will say , “I shall be there within an hour.” Indirect: He will say that he will be there for an hour.

Direct: Mother will say , “I made the fish curry.” Indirect: Mother will say that She made the fish curry.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples in Sentences

Direct: Sarah said, “I am going to the store.” Indirect: Sarah said that she was going to the store.

Direct: “The meeting starts at 9 AM,” announced the manager. Indirect: The manager announced that the meeting started at 9 AM.

Direct: Tom asked, “Did you finish your homework?” Indirect: Tom asked if I had finished my homework.

Direct: “I love watching movies,” she exclaimed. Indirect: She exclaimed that she loved watching movies.

Direct: “Don’t touch that!” shouted Mark. Indirect: Mark shouted not to touch that.

Direct: He said, “You are intelligent.” Indirect: He said that I was intelligent.

Direct: You will say, “I am right.” Indirect: You will say that you are right.

Direct: Rita said, “She is my favourite player.” Indirect: Rita said that she was her favourite player.

Direct: I said to you, ‘I wish to start a business next year.’ Indirect: I told you that I wished to start a business in the following years.

Direct: Mother said to her, “Are you feeling feverish?” Indirect: Mother inquired of her if she was feeling feverish.

Direct: She said to him, ‘Which of the books do you want to buy?’ Indirect: She asked him which of the books he wanted to buy.

Direct: The teacher said, “Boys, go to your classes.” Indirect: The teacher ordered the boys to go to their classes.

Direct: Mother said, ‘May you be happy.’ Indirect: Mother wished that I might be happy.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Modal Verbs

Direct: He said to me, “You may go. ” Indirect: He told me that I might go.

Direct: “I can swim,” she said . (can) Indirect: She said that she could swim. (can)

Direct: “You will attend the meeting tomorrow,” he said to me. Indirect: He told me that I would attend the meeting the next day.

Direct: You will attend the meeting tomorrow,” I said to him. Indirect: I told him that he would attend the meeting the next day.

Direct: “You should study harder,” he advised . (should) Indirect: He advised that I should study harder. (should)

Direct: “ May I borrow your pen?” she asked . (may) Indirect: She asked if she might borrow my pen. (may)

Direct: “We must finish this project by Friday,” he insisted. (must) Indirect: He insisted that we must finish the project by Friday. (must)

Direct: “You might want to consider that option,” she suggested. (might) Indirect : She suggested that I might want to consider that option. (might)

Direct: “I will help you with your homework,” she promised. (will) Indirect: She promised that she would help me with my homework. (will)

Direct: “You ought to apologize for your mistake,” he scolded. (ought to) Indirect: He scolded that I ought to apologize for my mistake. (ought to)

Direct: “ Can you lend me some money?” she requested. (can) Indirect: She requested if I could lend her some money. (can)

Direct: “You need to finish your chores before you go out,” he reminded. (need to) Indirect: He reminded me that I needed to finish my chores before going out. (need to)

Direct: “You are allowed to leave early today,” she informed. (are allowed to) Indirect: She informed that we were allowed to leave early that day. (are allowed to)

Direct to Indirect Speech Examples with Change of Pronouns

Direct: He said to me, “ I am ill.” Indirect: He told me that he was ill.

Direct: They will say to you, “ We have made it.” Indirect: They will tell you that they have made it.

Direct: You said to him, “ You are not like me.” Indirect: You told him that he was not like you.

Direct: He said to me, “ My name is John.” Indirect: He tells me that his name is John.

Direct: They said to me, “ This is our playground.” Indirect: They told me that that was their playground.

Direct: He says to me, “Elders give us blessings.” Indirect: He tells me that elders give them blessings.

Direct: He said to me, “ You are not smart .” Indirect: He told me that I was not smart.

Direct: She said to him, “ I am not your friend.” Indirect: She told him that she was not his friend.

Direct: He said to us, “ I shall give you money.” Indirect: He told us that he would give us money.

Direct: You said, “ He is right.” Indirect: You said that he was right.

Direct: I said, “ They will be late.” Indirect: I said that they would be late.

Change of Time & Place for Direct and Indirect Speech Examples

Direct: He said to me, “ This is my house.” Indirect: He told me that that was his house.

Direct: She said to him, “ These are golden flowers.” Indirect: She told him that those were golden flowers.

Direct: He said, “I have done it today .” Indirect: He said that he had done it that day.

Direct: She said to him, “I bought the book yesterday .” Indirect: She said that she had the book the previous day.

Direct: They said, ‘We will play now. ‘ Indirect: They said that they would play then .

Direct: You said, ‘ Here lives a lion.’ Indirect: You said that there lived a lion.

Direct: She always says, ‘I like these flowers.’ Indirect: She always says that she likes those flowers.

Direct: He said, ‘I will come here tomorrow. ‘ Indirect: He said that he would go there the next day .

Direct: I said, ‘You will get it today or tomorrow.’ Indirect: I said that you would get it that day or the next day.

Direct: He said to me, ‘ Come here .’ Indirect: He told me to go there.

Direct: He said, ‘I shall go there the day after tomorrow .’ Indirect: He said that he would go there in two day’s time.

Direct: He said to me, ‘I saw your sister two years ago. ‘ Indirect: He told me that he had seen my sister two years before.

Direct: He said to me, “I have no friend here .” Indirect: He told me that he had no friends here.

Direct: I said, ‘We cannot be happy in this world. Indirect: I said that we could not be happy in this world.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Assertive Sentences

Direct: Peter says, “My mother teaches me English.” Indirect: Peter says that his (Peter’s) mother teaches him English.

Direct: Shyam will say, “I have done this work. Indirect: Shyam will say that he has done that work.

Direct: Bappa said to him, “I am ten years old.” Indirect: Bappa told him that he was ten years old.

Direct: Laltu said, “I am watching television now. Indirect: Laltu said that he was watching television then.

Direct: He said to me, “My mother is now sleeping.’ Indirect: He told me that his mother was sleeping then.

Direct: I said, “The teacher has taken me to the task. Indirect: I said that the teacher had taken me to the task.

Direct: Mother said to me, “I have taken the medicine twice today.” Indirect: Mother told me that she had taken the medicine twice that day.

Direct: My sister said to me, “The bird flew away. Indirect: My sister told me that the bird had flown away.

Direct: Namrata said, “They came here yesterday.’ Indirect: Namrata said that they had come there the previous day.

Direct: Jamuna said, “Lalan was listening to my words. Indirect: Jamuna said that Lalan had been listening to her words.

Direct: He said, “I shall take rice.” Indirect: He said that he would take rice.

Direct: They said, “We shall leave for Goa tomorrow.” Indirect: They said that they would leave for Goa the next day.

Direct: Ashisbabu said, “Now we shall start the ceremony.’ Indirect: Ashisbabu said that they should start the ceremony then.

Direct Indirect Examples of Universal Truth or Habitual Truth, Historical Truth

Direct: The teacher said to us, “Oil floats on water.” Indirect: The teacher told us that oil floats on water

Direct: Lopa said, “God is almighty.” Indirect: Lopa said that God is almighty.

Direct: Father said, “God is good.” Indirect: Father said that God is good.

Direct: Keats said, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” Indirect: Keats said that beauty is truth, truth beauty.

Direct: The teacher said, “The earth moves round the sun.” Indirect: The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

Direct: My grandfather said, “Honesty is the best policy.” Indirect: My grandfather said that honesty is the best policy.

Direct: Father said, “The sun rises in the east.” Indirect: Father said that the sun rises in the east.

Direct: Saurav said, “My grandfather recites the Geeta every morning.” Indirect: Saurav said that his grandfather recites the Geeta every morning.

Direct: Arindam’s uncle said, “I walk for half an hour every afternoon.” Indirect: Arindam’s uncle said that he walks for half an hour every afternoon.

Direct: He said, “Man is mortal.” Indirect: He said that man is mortal.

Direct: The old man said, “God is merciful.” Indirect: The old man said that God is merciful.

Direct: The teacher said, “Ashoka was a great emperor.” Indirect: The teacher said that Ashoka was a great emperor.

Direct: The student answered, “Lord Buddha died in his eightieth year.” Indirect: The student answered that Lord Buddha died in his eightieth year.

Direct: He said, “Babar was the first emperor of the Mughal empire.” Indirect: He said that Babar was the first emperor of the Mughal Empire.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Interrogative Sentences

Direct: The boy said to me. “Is the mango sweet?” Indirect: The boy asked me whether(or, if) the mango was sweet.

Direct: Tanmay said to me, “Are you ill?” Indirect: Tanmay asked me whether (or, if) I was ill.

Direct: I said to him, “Do you know him?” Indirect: I asked him whether he knew him.

Direct: Rabin said to me, “Is there any problem?” Indirect: Rabin enquired of me if there was any problem.

Direct: I said to my brother, “Are you going to school?” Indirect: I asked my brother whether he was going to school.

Direct: The teacher said to the student. Did you come to school yesterday?” Indirect: The teacher enquired of the student whether he (the student) had come to school the day before.

Direct: I said to Binay, “Did you see Palash?” Indirect: I asked Binay whether he (Binay) had seen Palash.

Direct: His mother angrily said to him, “Do you know better than your elder brother?” Indirect: His mother asked him angrily whether he supposed that he knew better than his elder brother.

Direct: The judge said to the accused, “Have you anything to say in justification of your action?” Indirect: The judge wanted to know from the accused if he had anything to say in justification of his action.

Direct: Sadhan said to Nabin, “Have you read the letter?” Indirect: Sadhan asked Nabin if he had read the letter.

Direct: Santosh said to Seema, “Can you lend me a pen?” Indirect: Santosh asked Seema if she could lend him (Santosh) a pen.

Direct: The trainer said to Tarun, “Can you swim?” Indirect: The trainer asked Tarun whether he (Tarun) could swim.

Direct: The poet said, “Real happiness is only a dream.” Indirect: The poet said that real happiness is only a dream.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of “Wh-word”

Direct: He said to me, “What are you doing?” Indirect: He asked me what I was doing.

Direct: I said to him, “What is your name?” Indirect: I asked him what his name was.

Direct: The passerby said to me, “What is the time now by your watch?” Indirect: The passerby asked me what time it was then by my watch.

Direct: I said to Basu, “Where do you live?” Indirect: I asked Basu where he (Basu) lived.

Direct: Dinu said to Manu, “Where are you going?” Indirect: Dinu asked Manu where he (Manu) was going.

Direct: I said to Gopal, “Where is your pencil box?” Indirect: I enquired of Gopal where his (Gopal’s) pencil box was.

Direct: The passenger asked, “When will the train start?” Indirect: The passenger asked (or, wanted to know) when the train would start.

Direct: Ratan said to me, “How are you?” Indirect: Ratan wanted to know from me how I was.

Direct: Suman said to me, “How did you know this? Indirect: Suman enquired (asked) me how I had known that.

Direct: I said to the policeman, “Why did you strike the boy?” Indirect: I wanted to know from the policeman why he had struck the boy.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Imperative Sentences

Direct: The teacher said to the students, “Sit down.” Indirect: The teacher told the students to sit down.

Direct: The commander-in-chief said to the soldiers, “March forward.” Indirect: The commander-in-chief ordered the soldiers to march forward.

Direct: The master said to his servant, Polish my shoes,” Indirect: The master ordered his servant to polish his master’s shoes.

Direct: Ratanbabu said to the man, “Leave the house at once,” Indirect: Ratanbaby ordered the man to leave the house at once.

Direct: The teacher said to his pupils, “Go out.” Indirect: The teacher told his pupils to go out.

Direct: Mother said to me, “Go to school at once.” Indirect: Mother ordered/urged me to go to school that very moment.

Direct: He said to Sujay. “Let’s have a cup of tea. Indirect: He invited Sujay to have a cup of tea with him.

Direct: Sunillbabe said to Sistab. Please lend me some money.” Indirect: Sunilbabe requested Sisibaba to lend him (Sababu) some money.

Direct: Father said, “Go on, apply for the job.” Indirect: Father advised/encouraged me to apply for the job.

Direct: The teacher said to the boy, “Don’t spit on the floor. Indirect: The teacher forbade the boy to spit on the floor.

Direct: I said to my brother, “Do not run in the sun.” Indirect: I advised my brother not to run in the sun. Or I forbade my brother to run in the sun.

Direct: The teacher said to me, “Do not waste time.” Indirect: The teacher advised me not to waste time.

Direct: He said to his sons, “Do not quarrel among yourselves.” Indirect: He advised his sons not to quarrel among themselves.

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech Examples with “Let”

Direct: Mukti said, “Let’s go for a walk.” Indirect: Mukti suggested that they should go for a walk.

Direct: The inspector said to the constable, “Let the man go.” Indirect: The inspector ordered the constable to let the man go.

Direct: Rama said, “Let’s arrange a musical party.” Indirect: Rama suggested that they should arrange a musical party.

Direct: The clergyman said, “The nations of the world should forget their differences and work together for peace.” Indirect: The clergyman suggested that the nations of the world should forget their differences and work together for peace.

Direct: Ramen said, “I must not delay any longer.” Indirect: Ramen said that he ought not to delay any longer.

Direct: He said, “I must return before 5 in the evening.” Indirect: He said that he must (or, would have to) return before 5 in the evening.

Direct: Rima said to me, “You ought to be careful when driving.” Indirect: Nima advised me to be careful when driving.

Direct: My father said, “You ought not to trust a man who is a habitual liar.” Indirect: My father warned me against trusting a man who was a habitual liar

Direct: Father said, “You should not be late in reaching school.” Indirect: Father advised me not to be late in reaching school. Or, Father said that I should not be late in reaching school.

Direct: Somen said, “It might rain tonight.” Indirect: Somen said that it might rain that night, Or Somen said that there was the possibility of rainfall that night,

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Optative Sentences

Direct: He said, “May God bless you.’ Indirect: He prayed that God might bless him (or, me).

Direct: The priest said to the accused, “May God pardon your sins.” Indirect: The priest prayed to God that He might pardon his sins (or, the sins of the accused).

Direct: We said, “May Mother Teresa’s soul rest in peace.” Indirect: We prayed that Mother Teresa’s soul might rest in peace.

Direct: The retiring teacher said to his pupils, “I bid all of you goodbye.” Indirect: The retiring teacher bade goodbye (or, farewell) to all his pupils.

Direct: They said, “Long live Netaji.” Indirect: They prayed for Netaji’s long life.

Direct: My grandfather said to me, “May you be happy.” Indirect: My grandfather blessed me wishing that I might be happy. Or. My grandfather blessed me by wishing me a happy life. Or, My grandfather wished that I might be happy.

Direct: His father said to him, “May you prosper.” Indirect: His father wished him prosperity. Or. His father wished that he might prosper.

Direct: Ajay said to his brother, “Welcome home.” Indirect: Ajay bade his brother welcome.

Direct: Rahul said to his playmates, “Good morning, I hope you are quite well.” Indirect: Rahul wished his playmates a good morning and expressed his hope that they were quite well.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of Exclamatory Sentences

Direct: The students said, “Hurrah! Our school won the match.” Indirect: The students shouted with delight (exclaimed with joy) that their school had won the match.

Direct: He said, “Alas! I am ruined.” Indirect: He lamented that he was ruined.

Direct: He said, “What a fool I am !” Indirect: He reproached (feata lucuíba) himself for being such a big fool.

Direct: The audience said to the actor, “How wonderful is your acting !” Indirect: The audience expressed to the actor their appreciation of his fine acting.

Direct: Returning from the place of the accident, he said, “What a ghastly sight it was!” Indirect: Returning from the place of the accident he expressed his disgust at the ghastliness of the sight.

Direct: Looking at the Tajmahal the tourist said, “What an exquisitely beautiful creation !” Indirect: Looking at the Tajmahal the tourist exclaimed in wonder that it was indeed an extremely beautiful creation.

Direct: The youth said, “Alas! I am undone by the death of my father.” Indirect: The youth lamented that he was undone by his father’s death.

Direct: The coach of the team said to his players, “Bravo! You have played extremely well.” Indirect: The coach of the team cheered the players and said that they had played extremely well indeed.

Direct: Nabinbabu said to Sajal, “What a pity you could not succeed in spite of such great efforts !” Indirect: Nabinbabu expressed his sympathy for Sajal for not being successful in spite of his great efforts.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples of More than one sentence

Direct: Sanu said to Sushama over the telephone, “I have got the tickets. Meet me at the station at 6.30 p.m.” Indirect: Sanu informed Sushama over the telephone that he had got the tickets and suggested that she meet him at the station at 6.30 p.m.

Direct: The supervisor of the examination said to the candidates, “Do not forget to put your names at the top of the page. Write down also the roll and the number.” Indirect: The supervisor of the examination advised the candidates not to forget to put their names at the top of the page and also reminded them to write down their roll and number therein.

Direct: Surabhi said to Mohan, “Let’s buy some flour. We will prepare bread at home.’ Indirect: Surabhi suggested to Mohan that they buy some flour and make bread themselves at home.

Direct: My assistant said to me, “You look tired. Why don’t you take a rest for a couple of days?” Indirect: My assistant told me that I looked tired, and suggested that I should take a rest for a couple of days.

Direct: My friend said to me, “Why don’t you open a bank account? I have opened one.” Indirect: My friend advised me to open a bank account and he also informed me that he had opened one.

Frequently Asked Questions Direct and Indirect Speech Examples

Q: What are the 10 examples of direct and indirect speech?

Direct Speech: Rohan said, “She works hard.”
Indirect Speech: Rohan said that she worked hard
Direct Speech: Rohan said, “She is singing a song.”
Indirect Speech: Rohan said that she was singing a song.
Direct Speech: The guest said shouting, “We have arrived .”
Indirect Speech: The guest said shouting that they had arrived.
Direct Speech: My sister said, “It has been raining hard for 3 days”.
Indirect Speech: My sister said that it had been raining hard for 3 days.
Direct Speech: Father said, “I visited the Taj yesterday.”
Indirect Speech: Father said that he had visited the Taj the previous day.
Direct Speech: Boys said, “They were travelling in the park.”
Indirect Speech: Boys said that they had been travelling in the park.
Direct Speech: The reporters commented that the Kohinoor had been lost long ago.
Indirect Speech: The reporters commented, “The Kohinoor had been lost long ago”.
D i rect Speech: Jyotsna said, “ She had been doing the work for 3 hours”.
Indirect Speech: Jyotsna said that she had been doing the work for 3 hours.
Direct: The boy said to his mother, “ The sun rises in the East”. Indirect: The boy told his mother that the sun rises in the East. [ Universal Truth ]
Direct: The monk answered, “ Man is mortal”. Indirect: The monk answered that man is mortal. [ Universal Truth ]

Q: What is direct and indirect speech with examples for Class 5?

Ans: When a sentence is quoted with the exact words used by the speaker, it is called a sentence in Direct Speech.

When the sentence is spoken or written in the form of a narrative without quoting the speaker’s actual words but keeping the meaning the same, it is called a sentence in Indirect Speech .

(1) I said to him that I had once seen him before. Ans: I said to him, “ I once saw you ago.”

(2) She said that she had a dream that night. Ans : She said, “I have a dream tonight.”

(3) The boy said. “We were playing.” Ans: The boy said that they had been playing.

(4) He told me that I should obey my parents. Ans: He said to me, “You will obey your parents.”

(5) Amal said to Bimal, “I gave you, my pen.” Ans: Amal told Bimal that he had given him his pen.

Q: What is the example of direct and indirect speech Class 9?

Ans: Direct: You say, ‘I am always busy.’ Indirect: You say that you are always busy.

Direct: The child will say, ‘Mum knows everything.’ Indirect: The child will say that Mum knows everything.

Direct: He said, ‘I need some money.’ Indirect: He said that he needed some money,

Direct: She said, ‘I am waiting for him.’ Indirect: She said that she was waiting for him.

Q: What are the 5 rules of indirect speech?

Ans: The five rules of indirect speech consist of Assertive sentences, Interrogative Sentences, Imperative Sentences, Optative Sentences, and Exclamatory sentences.

19 Direct and Indirect Speech Rules Examples (Updated)

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Direct and indirect speech rules with examples for competitive exams.

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Competition is getting harder day by day in every competitive exam like SSC , IBPS and other Government Exams .One should be having command on all sections to score more and ace the exam. There are certain topics which are common in almost every competitive exam.

Here, we have tried to cover Direct and Indirect Speech through this blog. We are providing rules, example and exercise to help you with this topic.

Reported Speech is also known as Direct and Indirect Speech or Narration. In Indirect Speech, we convey the speaker’s message in our own words. Thus, the message can be conveyed in 2 ways.

Direct Speech
Indirect Speech

Direct speech is known as repeating the exact words spoken and Indirect speech is known as reporting the words.

But the question occurs how to report or how to use Indirect speech? There are certain rules to make changes in a sentence from Direct to Indirect speech. Read the complete blog to know more.

Direct and Indirect Speech Rules

Below, we are sharing the rules to make changes from Direct to Indirect speech. The changes of Direct and Indirect speech depend on some factors like modals, reporting verb, place, time, tense, pronoun etc. You can check the complete information of changes in Direct and Indirect speech.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Modals:

Look to the Direct and Indirect Speech examples with answers using modals.

He said, “I can cook food.”

He said that he could cook food.

They said, “We may go to Canada.”

They said that they might go to Canada.

She said, “I must finish the work on time.”

She said that she had to finish the work on time.

Modals that remain unchanged are: Should, might, could, would, ought to.

Kanika said, “I ought to avoid junk food.”

Kanika said that she ought to avoid junk food.

Changes as per Reporting Verb

According to the reporting verb, changes are made in the direct sentence or the sentence in inverted commas.

If the reporting verb is in the past tense, then the direct sentence is changed in its past tense. The tense of direct speech remains unchanged when the reporting verb is in the present or future tense. If the direct sentence contains the universal truth, then it remains unchanged in the Indirect Speech.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Reporting Verb

Below, we are providing Direct and Indirect Speech examples using reporting verb changes .

Navin said, “He is young.”

Navin said that he was young.

Isha says, “I am pretty.”

Isha says that she is pretty.

Rohan will say, “I am tall.”

Rohan will say that he is tall.

They said, “The sun rises in the east.”

They said that the sun rises in the east.

Changes as per Tense

In the below table, we are sharing how tense changes into Indirect speech.

Direct and Indirect speech exercises for Tense

Check the Direct and Indirect speech examples for tense using the above table. Changes will always be made according to the given table only.

Heena said, “I walk.”

Heena said that she walked.

Deepak said, “I am having tea.”

Deepak said that he was having tea.

Ayesha said, “Honey has left for school.”

Ayesha said that Honey had left for school.

Vidisha said, “Ananya took pasta.”

Vidisha said that Ananya had taken pasta.

They told, “We were living in Paris.”

They told that they had been living in Paris.

Ramesh said, “I will go to Sri Lanka.”

Ramesh said that he would go to Sri Lanka.

Aishwarya Said, “They will be watering plants.”

Aishwarya said that they would be watering plants.

Changes in Place and Time

Words are changed in an Indirect Speech to replace nearness from distance. In the table, we are sharing some words which are changed in Indirect speech.

Changes of Interrogative Sentences

Here, we are sharing certain rules of Direct and Indirect speech for interrogative sentences conversions.

The reporting verb said/said to is changed in asked, demanded, ordered, enquired as per the nature of the sentence. While a sentence starts with reporting verb then at the conversion time if /whether is used as the joining clause. In case the sentence starts from “Wh” question word, then no extra conjunction is used.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Interrogative Sentences

We are applying the above rules in the given exercise below to make changes in Direct and Indirect speech.

Ravi said, “What is Heena doing?”

Ravi asked me what Heena was doing.

Esha said, “Will she come for lunch?”

Esha asked if she would come for lunch.

The boy asked, “Where do you stay?”

The boy inquired where I stayed

Changes of Pronouns

While making the changes from Direct and Indirect speech, one should be having knowledge of rules of changes in pronouns.

The first person in reported speech changes according to the subject of reporting speech. In Reported Speech change of the second person depends on the object of reporting speech. The third person remains unchanged.

You can check the table for the changes in pronoun.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Changes in Pronoun

Vidya said, “I am a good girl.”

Vidya said that she was a good girl.

I told them, “You have finished your work.”

I told them that they had finished their work.

He said, “She is in Delhi.”

He said that she was in Delhi.

So, aspirants in order not to leave any questions from this topic, you must go through all the information, rules and exercise given in this blog.

If you find the article useful, must share it with your friends who are preparing for competitive exams.

We try to provide you with the best information. So, stay connected for more updates regarding competitive exam preparations. Keep learning folks.

Direct and Indirect Speech
Reported Speech
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise
Direct and Indirect Speech Examples
Direct and Indirect Speech for Competitive Exams

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Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Hello dear student! Mastery of direct and indirect speech is essential in understanding and effectively communicating in English.

It not only provides clarity when conveying messages but also adds depth to our language use, especially when relaying past conversations or reports.

In today’s lesson, we will delve into exercises designed to enhance your grasp of direct and indirect speech.

By arranging sentences, rectifying grammatical mistakes, and formulating questions, you will polish your skills and become more proficient in this aspect of English. Let’s dive in!

1) Put the Sentences in the Correct Order – Direct and Indirect Speech

a) said / ” / I / love / she / chocolate / “

She said, “I love chocolate.”

b) ' / he / I / am / me, / working / tomorrow. / ' / told

C) 'we / visit / paris / ' / they / promised, / will, d) 'do / go / you / to / to / movies / the / ' / she / asked / want, e) announced / 'we / the / winner / ' / are / they, f) 'i / the / letter / ' / he / said, / wrote, g) ' / you / the / hear / news / ' / she / asked / did, h) is / friend. / , / ' / claimed / he / 'she / my, i) ' / called / yesterday / ,' / she / said / him / i, j) ' / the / game / exclaimed / she / won / , 'they, k) ' / was / secret / ,' / whispered / it / he / a, l) she / 'you / careful / should / ,' / advised / be, 2) fix grammatical errors – direct and indirect speech exercises.

a) She say, “I goes on the park.”

She said, “I go to the park.”

b) He said that he don't likes pizza.

C) 'where are she going' asked the john., d) 'i can plays the guittar,' he said., e) she told that she is coming., f) 'did you seen the movie' her asked., g) 'i am having a pen,' he declared., h) she say she love chocolate., i) 'i did no knew about it,' he said., j) 'where do she lives' he inquired., k) she said, 'i can to sings well.', 3) practice your vocabulary completing the sentences.

a) He xxid, “I am gxxxg to the xxxcert.”

He said, “I am going to the concert.”

b) She told me she wxxxed to xxxxt Paris next summer.

C) 'i xxe the cake,' john conxxxxxd., d) mary sxxd that she xxx always wanted to bxxxxx a doctor., e) 'it’s gxxxx to rain,' he xxxd., f) they exclaimed, 'this is the bxxx film we’ve xxxx', g) 'i don’t xxxx her number,' he rexxxxd., h) she whxxxxxed, 'i think he xxx a secret.', i) he said, 'i xxw her yesterday xx xxx market.', j) 'xx brother xoxxx to play guitar,' she mexxxxxed., k) she said, 'i’m wxxxxxd about the exam xxxxxxs.', l) 'i xixx be xxxxnding the meeting,' he xxxxxmed., 4) about direct and indirect speech, write the obvious questions to the answers.

a) He said, “I will come.”

What did he say?

b) 'I am feeling sick,' she said. ( How... )

C) 'we have finished the project,' they announced. ( what... ), d) she said that she didn't steal the cookies. ( what... ), e) 'you look beautiful in that dress,' he complimented. ( what... ), f) 'i am moving to new york next month,' he told. ( where... ), g) she said, 'i can't come to the party'. ( what... ), h) 'we watched the movie last night,' they shared. ( when... ), i) he said, 'she is my sister'. ( who... ), j) 'i will bring the book tomorrow,' she promised. ( what... ), k) 'you are late,' he observed. ( what... ), l) she said, 'i read the news'. ( what... ).

Well done on completing these exercises on direct and indirect speech! Remember, practice is key in mastering any language aspect.

Revisiting such exercises regularly will ensure that you internalize the concepts and apply them effortlessly in real-life situations.

Always pay attention to the context and the tense changes that often come with indirect speech. Keep up the great work, and always strive for continuous improvement in your English journey!

4 English Simple Present Exercises

English Subject Pronoun Exercises

4 English Simple Past Exercises

4 English Plural Exercises

English Adverbs of Place Exercises

4 English Simple Future Exercises

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Simple English Grammar

Direct Indirect Speech

Direct and Indirect Speech Online Exercise for Class 4

Change the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech sentences. This work out will make you understand the concept of the language more efficiently:

Nupur said to him, “You have written well”.
I said to Shyama, “I went to the zoo”.
Tom said, “I can clear the test”.
Rahul said to his brother, “You will join me for the party”.
Vinod said, “I am solving puzzles”.
Ram said to me, “You did not cook vegetable curry”.
Alka said, “I have a kitty party at home”.
Namrata said to me, “I did not do the work properly”.
Rahul said to his brother, “You were watching the movie instead of studying”.
The teacher said to the students, “You have illuminated the name of your school”.
The cook said to us, “I will prepare breakfast for you within 10 minutes”.
The teachers said to Prakash, “We will check your test-copy accurately”.
Prince said to his friends, “I am organizing a party for you”.
Aakash said to his sisters, “I always buy you gifts”.
Ravi said to me, “I am shorter than you”.
Nupur said to him that he had written well.
I said to Shyama that I had gone to the zoo.
Tom said that he could clear the test.
Rahul said to his brother that he would join him for the party.
Vinod said that he was solving puzzles.
Ram said to me that I did not cook vegetable curry.
Alka said that she had a kitty party at home.
Namrata said to me that I did not do the work properly.
Rahil said to his brother that he had been watching the movie instead of studying.
The teacher said to the students that they had illuminated the name of their school.
The cook said to us that he would prepare breakfast for us within 10 minutes.
The teachers said to Prakash that they would check his test-copy accurately.
Prince said to his friends that he was organizing a party for them.
Aakash said to his sisters that he always bought them gifts.
Ravi said to me that he was shorter than me.

Imperative Sentence Example (आज्ञासूचक वाक्य)

Direct and indirect speech online exercise for grade 5.

Direct and indirect speech online exercise for class 6, direct and indirect speech, leave a comment cancel reply.

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Direct and Indirect Speech of Universal Truth, Habitual Action
So all you have to do is only to remember a simple rule, that is -. When the reported clause/statement of a direct speech is a universal truth speech or any historical event or a habitual action (a part of the daily routine), then the tense in the indirect speech doesn't change, no matter in whatever tense the reporting verb (say/said) is.. Let's say there is a reported statement the teacher ...
Direct and Indirect speech Universal Truth
There are the direct and indirect speech rules: Rule 01. The verb of reporting speech (say) converts into "tell". Rule 02. If reporting speech is in present or future the tense of reported speech remains the same. Rule 03. If reporting speech is in past, the tense of reported speech changes into past. Rule 04.
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise. Turn the following sentences into indirect speech. 1. John said, 'I am very busy now.' ... (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4. She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5.
Direct and Indirect sentences of Universal truth with examples and exercise
Rules of Direct & Indirect Sentences with universal truth 1. Reported speech never changed 2. The conjunction "That" is used instead of inverted commas 3. Told or tell is used instead of Said. (If the object is given in reported speech) 4. If the sentence is an interrogative, "If" or "whether" is used instead of inverted commas 5.
200+Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers (2025)
Exercise 2: Switch the narrative style from direct speech to indirect speech. (1) He said to me, "I can't recall your name.". Ans: He told me that he could not recall my name. (2) Poulami says, "I am fine.". Ans: Poulomi says that she is fine. (3) He said, "I did it.". Ans: He said that he had done it.
Universal Truth
Learn universal truth Direct Speech/In Direct Speech,Reporting Speech/Reported Speech, Narrations , Exercises, Structures in English Grammar with Video Lect...
Direct and indirect speech
Prince Harry said that he bought a beautiful ring for Meghan the previous day. Prince Harry said he had bought a beautiful ring for Meghan yesterday. Direct and indirect speech quiz for 8th grade students. Find other quizzes for English and more on Quizizz for free!
Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Rules and Exercises
If the reported speech expresses some universal truth or habitual fact or some characteristics, the tense of the verb is not changed. UNIVERSAL TRUTH. Our teacher said, "Man is mortal. ... Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise:- Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Rules and Exercises 3. Direct and Indirect Speech Narration Exercise ...
Direct And Indirect Speech Quiz: Test Your Skills
In direct speech, you repeat the speaker's words verbatim. In contrast, indirect speech conveys the speaker's message without using their exact words. This quiz presents an engaging opportunity to test your understanding of these concepts and improve your grammatical skills. 1.
Direct And Indirect Speech Complete Rules
If indirect speech the words within quotation marks talk of a universal truth or habitual action or when a sentence is made and reported at the same time and the fact is still true then the tense inside the quotation marks is not changed at all. ... Check out Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises With Answers.
100+ Narration Change Exercises with Answers
100+ Narration Change Exercises with Answers | Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises Souvik October 13, 2020. Questions: 1 - 10. 1. I said, "I am reading a book." ... (Universal truth) 4. I said that he had been my senior in my school. 5. We said that we all love our country. 6. Rohan said that they had been the champions.
100 + Direct and Indirect Speech Examples and Answers (2025)
Change of Time & Place for Direct and Indirect Speech Examples. Direct: He said to me, " This is my house.". Indirect: He told me that that was his house. Direct: She said to him, " These are golden flowers.". Indirect: She told him that those were golden flowers. Direct: He said, "I have done it today .".
Direct
Hi, In this video, I have explained the English Grammar Topic : Direct Indirect of sentences that include "Universal Truths" and the " Reporting Verb: If no...
Direct and Indirect Speech Rules with Examples for ...
If the direct sentence contains the universal truth, then it remains unchanged in the Indirect Speech. Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Reporting Verb . Below, we are providing Direct and Indirect Speech examples using reporting verb changes. Navin said, "He is young." Navin said that he was young. Isha says, "I am pretty."
CBSE Class 10 English Grammar
If the reporting verb is in the past tense, then the tense of the reported speech will change as follows: If the direct speech expresses a historical fact, universal truth, or a habitual fact, then the tense of the direct speech will not change: Direct: He said, "Honesty is the best policy." Indirect: He said that honesty is the best policy.
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises
Mastery of direct and indirect speech is essential in understanding and effectively communicating in English. It not only provides clarity when conveying messages but also adds depth to our language use, especially when relaying past conversations or reports. In today's lesson, we will delve into exercises designed to enhance your grasp of ...
Direct & Indirect Part-3
Learn the rules of Universal Sentences in direct & indirect Speech in a very simple way | English Grammar by S.S.GuptaConversion of sentences with Universal...
PDF How to convert universal truth into indirect speech
(Indirect speech) Step 03 The sentence with universal truth remains the same in indirect speech. We don't convert it into past (as mentioned earlier) no matter what is the tense of reporting speech. Universal truth sentences examples Direct speech: He said, "Water boils at 100 c." Indirect speech: He told that water boils at 100 c."
Direct and Indirect speech with Examples
Universal truths stay unchanged in reported speech. Examples: The teacher said, "The earth revolves the sun." The teacher said that the earth revolves the sun. Regulation: In case the reporting verb is in the Present tense (For example, say) there is no modification in the tense of the verb in the indirect speech. Pooja says, "I eat a ...
Narration- Direct and Indirect speech. Universal Truth and Habitual
Narration- Direct and Indirect Speech, the rules of changing the sentence regarding universal truth and habitual fact are discussed here. Hope the explanatio...
Practice Exercise of Direct and Indirect Speech Grade 4
Direct and Indirect Speech Online Exercise for Class 4. Change the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech sentences. This work out will make you understand the concept of the language more efficiently: Nupur said to him, "You have written well". I said to Shyama, "I went to the zoo". Tom said, "I can clear the test".
Direct-Indirect-Speech
Look at the examples of Universal Truth, Habitual Fact, Historical Fact, Proverb and an Imaginary condition and note that the tense of the Reporting speech remains unchanged in Indirect Speech. Direct Speech. Indirect Speech. संत ने कहा, "मनुष्य नश्वर है।". The Saint said, "Man is Mortal." The Saint ...
Direct And Indirect Speech
Direct And Indirect Speech | Universal Truth with Examples in Narration | English Grammar |My previous Video ÷ 👇https://youtu.be/FlcnsmHnxrw#tense#english #...