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DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

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ndirect-speech-definition-rules-examples-exercises.ht
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGdt9apUpqg

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DIRECT SPEECH : Wh n en we report something using

the exact words of the speaker, we use direct speech.

INDIRECT SPEECH : When we report something in our

own words, we use indirect speech.

Direct speech: The boy said to me, ‘I am happy with my

results.’

Indirect speech: The boy told me that he was happy with his
results.

PARTS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

Both direct and indirect speech have two parts which are
complete sentences in themselves. They are -
1. Reporting verb
2. Reported speech

1. Reporting verb – Who said to whom.

2. Reported speech –The exact words spoken, put within
inverted commas “_______”.

RULES FOR CHANGING DIRECT SPEECH TO

INDIRECT SPEECH
1. In Indirect speech, Conjunction ‘that’, ‘if’, ‘whether’, ‘to’ is
used to join the two sentences.
2. When a sentence is written in indirect speech, the tense,
pronouns , modals reporting verbs and indicators of time
and place change.

3. Omit all inverted commas or quotation marks. End the

sentence with a full stop.
4. If the verb inside the inverted commas/quotation
marks is in the present tense, change it into the
corresponding past tense. If it is in the simple past
tense, change it into the past perfect tense.

Change OF Pronouns:(SON)
( Subject(I)Object(II)No change(III)
● 1st Person pronouns in reported speech are always changed
according to the subject of the reporting speech.vnd Person
pronouns in reported speech are always changed according
to the object of the reporting speech.
● 3rd Person pronouns in reported speech are not changed.

SUBJECT OBJECT NO CHANGE

(I PERSON ) (II PERSON ) (III PERSON)
I / WE YOU HE / SHE / THEY /
IT
 Changes in Verbs:
● If the reporting speech(1) is in present tense or future tense,
then no change is required to be made in the verb of
reported part (2)
● This verb could be in any tense i.e., present, past, or future.
For example:
Direct Speech: He says, “I am ill.”
Indirect Speech: He says that he is ill.

Direct Speech: She says, “She sang a song.”

Indirect Speech: She says that she sang a song.

Direct Speech: You say, “I shall visit London.”

Indirect Speech: You say that you will visit London.
● If the reporting verb is in past tense (said) , then reported
verb will be changed as per the following criterion:
1. Simple Present tense is changed into Simple
past tense. For example:
Direct Speech: They said, “They take exercise every day.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they took exercise every day.

2. Present continuous is changed into past

continuous tense.
Direct Speech: They said, “They are taking exercise every day.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they were taking exercise every
day.

3. Present perfect is changed into the past

perfect tense.
Direct Speech: They said, “They have taken exercise.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they had taken exercise.

4. Present perfect continuous tense is changed

into past perfect continuous tense.
Direct Speech: They said, “They have been taking exercise since
morning.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they had been taking exercise
since morning.

5. Simple Past Tense is changed into past

perfect tense.
Direct Speech: They said, “They took exercise.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they had taken exercise.

6. Past continuous tense is changed into past

perfect continuous tense.
Direct Speech: They said, “They were taking exercise.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they had been taking exercise.

7. No changes are required to be made into past

perfect and past perfect continuous tenses.
Direct Speech: They said, “They had taken exercise.”
Indirect Speech: They said that they had taken exercise.

8. ALL MODAL VERBS WILL CHANGE INTO THEIR

PAST FORM.
CAN - COULD / MAY - MIGHT ETC.
Direct Speech: They said, “They will take exercise.”

Indirect Speech: They said that they would take exercise.

 5. Important Word Changes
Word Change Direct Indirect Speech
s d Into Speech

This That He says, “He He says that he

wants to buy wants to buy that
this book.” book.

These Those He says, “He He says that he

wants to buy wants to buy those
these books.” books.

Here There She says, She says that

“Everybody everybody was
was here.” there.

Now Then They say, “It’s They say that it’s

ten o’clock ten o’clock then.
now.”

Sir Respectful They said, They said

ly “Sir, the time respectfully that the
is over.” time was over.
Madam Respectful They said, They said
ly "Madam, the respectfully that the
time is over." time was over.

Today That Day She said, “I She said that she

am going to was going to
London London that day.
today.”

Yesterd The She said, “I She said that she

ay Previous visited Oxford had visited Oxford
Day University University the
yesterday.” previous day.

Tomorro Following She said, “I She said that she

w Day or am going to was going to
Next Day London London the next
tomorrow.” day.

Tonight That Night She said, “I She said that she

am going to was going to see
see him him that night.
tonight.”
Good Greeted She said, She greeted Sir
Morning “Good David.
, Good morning, Sir
Evening David.”
, Good
Day

Class Test 1
1. Gautam said to Ravi , ‘ I am going to the library.”
2. Sheetal said to me , “I am fond of eating dark chocolates.”
3. My father said to me , “I have been going to the telephone
exchange. “
4. The doctor said to me, “I will be attending a conference in Delhi
tomorrow.”
5. They complained , “ It is very hot today.”
6. He said to her, “ you can come to my place the next week.”
7. She said to him , “ They went for a picnic yesterday. “
8. Rohit said, “ I have finished my maths homework.”
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are sentences that give an order or a direct
command. These sentences may be in the shape of advice,
entreaty, request, or order. Mostly, it depends upon the
forcefulness of the speaker. Thus, a full stop or sign of
exclamation is used at the end of the sentence. For example:

● Shut the door!

● Please shut the door.
● Repair the door by tomorrow!

To convert these types of sentences into indirect speech, follow

the following rules along with the above-mentioned rules:

1. (SAID TO ) IS CHANGED INTO REQUESTED / ADVISED /

ORDERED / COMMANDED
2. CONJUNCTION ( TO ) WILL BE USED TO CONNECT THE
SENTENCES.
3.
● The reporting verb is changed according to reported speech
into order in case the sentence gives a direct command. For
example:
Direct Speech: The teacher said to me, “Shut the door.”

Indirect Speech: The teacher ordered me to shut the door.

● The reporting verb is changed according to reported speech

into a request in case the sentence makes a request. For
example:

Direct Speech: He said to me, “Shut the door.”

Indirect Speech: He requested me to shut the door.

● The reporting verb is changed according to reported speech

into advise in case the sentence gives a piece of advice. For
example:

Direct Speech: He said to me, “You should work hard to pass the
exam.”

Indirect Speech: He advised me that I should work hard to pass

the exam.

● The reporting verb is changed according to reported speech

into forbade in case the sentence prevents someone from
doing something. For example:

Direct Speech: He said to me, “Not to smoke.”

Indirect Speech: He forbade me to smoke.

Examples
Direct Speech Indirect Speech

We said to him, “Mind your We urged him to mind his

own business.” own business.

She said to him, “Consult a She suggested him to

doctor.” consult a doctor.

He said to me, “Write it He asked me to write it

again.” again.

You said to your father, You requested your father

“Please grant him leave for to grant him leave for some
some time.” time.

My mother said to me, My mother forbade me to

“Never tell a lie.” tell a lie.

1. THE PRINCIPAL SAID TO THE PEON, " RING THE BELL."

2. THE DOCTOR SAID TO ME, " STOP EATING FRIED AND SPICY FOOD. "
You12:59 PM
3. MOTHER SAID TO THE CHILDREN . " DO NOT DISTURB ME.

4. THE TEACHER SAID TO THE STUDENTS , " DO NOT MAKE NOISE IN THE
CLASS. "
 CLAS

Interrogative Sentences
Those sentences, which ask questions, are called interrogative
sentences. Every interrogative sentence ends at a sign of
interrogation. For example:

● Do you live here?

● Have you ever watched a horror movie?
● Is it raining?

To convert interrogative sentences into indirect speech, follow the

following rules along with the above-mentioned rules:

● The reporting verb said to is changed into asked.

● If the reporting speech is having the reporting verb at it its
start, then if is used in place of that.
● If the reporting speech is having interrogative words like
who, when, how, why, when then neither if is used nor any
other word is added.
● A full stop is placed at the end of the sentence instead of a
mark of interrogation.
Examples:
Direct Speech Indirect Speech

I said to her, “When do you I asked her when she did her
do your homework?” homework.

We said to him, “Are you We asked him if he was ill.

ill?”

You said to me, “Have you You asked me if I had read

read the article?” the article.

He said to her, “Will you go He asked her if she would

to thE Radio Station?” go to the Radio Station.

She says, “Who is he?” She says who he is.

Rashid said to me, “Why are Rashid asked me why I was

you late?” late.
CLASS TEST
Mixed Exercise 1
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether
the sentence is a request, a statement or a question.
1. HE SAID, "I LIKE THIS SONG."
2. THEY SAID TO ME, “ THEY TAKE EXERCISE EVERY DAY.”
3. THE TEACHER SAID TO THE STUDENTS, “READ THE
BOOK ON PAGE 96.”
4. RAMAN ASKED HIS FRIEND, “ HAVE YOU DONE YOUR
WORK?”
5. SHE SAID TO HER MOTHER, “ I AM GOING OUT WITH MY
FRIENDS.”
6. HE SAID , “ I LOVE DRINKING COFFEE.”
7. THE PHOTOGRAPHER SAID TO ME, “ LOOK INTO THE
CAMERA.”
8. THE PRINCIPAL ASKED THE PARENTS, “ WILL YOU SEND
THE CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL?
9. SHE ASKED HER COUSIN, “ WHERE WILL YOU GO
TOMORROW?”
10. SHE ASKED HIM, “ WHERE DID YOU SPEND THE MONEY
YESTERDAY?”
11. SHE SAID TO ME, “ IF I WERE THE PRINCESS.”
12. MY FATHER SAID TO HIM , “ WHAT A BRILLIANT PLAYER
YOU ARE. “
13. SHE SAID TO ME , SUNITA WILL MEET ME
TOMORROW.”
14. HE SAID TO ME , “ MAY YOU LIVE LONG.”

ANSWERS:
 1. HE SAID THAT HE LIKED THAT SONG.
2. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY TOOK EXERCISE EVERY DAY.
3. THE TEACHER REQUESTED THE STUDENTS TO READ THE
BOOK ON PAGE 96.
4. RAMAN ASKED HIS FRIEND IF HE HAD DONE HIS WORK.
5. SHE TOLD HER MOTHER THAT SHE WAS GOING OUT WITH
HER FRIENDS.
6. HE SAID THAT HE LOVED DRINKING COFFEE.
7. THE PHOTOGRAPHER ASKED/ requested ME TO LOOK
INTO THE CAMERA.
8. THE PRINCIPAL ASKED THE PARENTS IF THEY WOULD
SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL.
9. SHE ASKED HER COUSIN WHERE SHE/ HE WOULD GO
THE NEXT DAY.
10. SHE ASKED HIM WHERE HE HAD SPENT THE MONEY
THE PREVIOUS DAY.
11. SHE WISHED THAT SHE HAD BEEN A PRINCESS.
12. MY FATHER PRAISED HIM THAT HE WAS A BRILLIANT
PLAYER.
13. SHE TOLD ME THAT SUNITA WOULD MEET HER THE
NEXT DAY.
14. HE WISHED ME THAT I MIGHT LIVE LONG.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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15. "Where is your sister?" she asked me.

→ She asked me
16. "I don't speak Italian," she said.
→ She said
17. "Say hello to Jim," they said.
→ They asked me
18. "The film began at seven o'clock," he said.
→ He said
19. "Don't play on the grass, boys," she said.
→ She told the boys
20. "Where have you spent your money?" she asked him.
→ She asked him
21. "I take tea in the morning," he said.
→ He said
22. "Does she know Robert?" he said to her.
→ He asked her
Exclamatory Sentences
Those sentences, which express our feelings and emotions, are
called exclamatory sentences. Mark of exclamation is used at the
end of an exclamatory sentence. For example:

● Hurray! We have won the match.

● Alas! He failed in the test.
● How beautiful that dog is!
● What a marvelous personality you are!

To change exclamatory sentences into indirect speech,

follow the following rules along with the above-mentio
rulesned:

● In case, there is an interjection, i.e., alas, aha, hurray, etc. in

the reported speech, then they are omitted along with sign of
exclamation.
● Reporting verb, i.e., said is always replaced with exclaimed
with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, exclaimed joyfully, exclaimed
sorrowfully or exclaimed with great wonder or sorrow.
● In case, there is what or how at the beginning of the reported
speech, then they are replaced with very or very great.
● In an indirect sentence, the exclamatory sentence becomes
an assertive sentence.

Examples
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
He said, “Hurray! I have He exclaimed with great joy that
won the match.” he had won the match.

She said, “Alas! My She exclaimed with great sorrow

brother failed the test.” that her brother had failed the
test.

They said, “What a They exclaimed that that house

beautiful house this is!” was very beautiful.

They said , this house is

very beautiful.”

I said, “How lucky I am!” I said in great wonder that I was

very lucky.
I said, “ i am very lucky.”

You said to him, “What a You exclaimed in great wonder

beautiful drama you are that he was writing a beautiful
writing! drama.

You said to him, “ you

are writing a beautiful
drama.”
Optative Sentences
Those sentences, which express hope, prayer, or wish, are called
optative sentences. Usually, there is a mark of exclamation at the
end of optative sentence. For example:

● May you succeed in the test!

● May you get well soon!
● Would that I were rich!

To change optative sentences into indirect speech, follow the

following rules along with the above-mentioned rules:

● In case, the reported speech starts with the word may, then
the reporting verb said is replaced with the word prayed.
● In case, the reported speech starts with the word would, then
the reporting verb saidis replaced with the word wished.
● May is changed in might.
● Mark of exclamation is omitted.
● In indirect speech, the optative sentences become assertive
sentences.

Examples
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
He said to me, “May you live He prayed that I might live
long!” long.

He said to me, “ you may live

long .”

My mother said to me, “May My mother prayed that I

you succeed in the test!” might succeed in the test.

She said, “Would that I were She wished that she had
rich!” been rich.

I said to him, “Would that you I wished that he had been

were here on Sunday!” there on Sunday.

You said to me, “ May you You prayed that I might find
find your lost camera.” my lost camera.

MOTHER SAID TO ME MAY GOD BLESS YOU.