Direct and Indirect Speech
1. Direct Speech
Direct speech is when the speaker’s exact words are written inside quotation marks.
Examples:
• She said, “I like mangoes.”
• Rahul asked, “Where are you going?”
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2. Indirect Speech
Indirect speech reports the meaning of what was said without quoting the exact words. Quotation marks are removed and the structure changes.
Examples:
• She said that she liked mangoes.
• Rahul asked where I was going.
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3. Parts of Reported Speech
Reporting verb: said, told, asked, ordered, requested
Reporting clause: part containing the reporting verb
Reported speech: exact spoken words
Example:
In “He said, ‘I will come,’”
• “He said” → reporting clause
• “I will come” → reported speech
• “said” → reporting verb
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4. Tense Changes (When Reporting Verb Is in Past)
Direct Indirect
am/is → was “I am late” → He said he was late.
are → were “You are ready” → She said we were ready.
have/has → had “I have done it” → He said he had done it.
do/does → did “Do you work here?” → He asked if I worked there.
will → would “I will help you” → He said he would help me.
shall → should “I shall go” → She said she should go.
can → could “I can swim” → He said he could swim.
may → might “It may rain” → She said it might rain.
Tense does not change when:
• Reporting verb is in present or future
• The sentence is a universal truth
Example: “The earth rotates.” → He said the earth rotates.
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Pronoun Changes
Pronouns change according to speaker, listener, and context.
Examples:
• “I” → he/she
Direct: “I am happy,” she said.
Indirect: She said she was happy.
• “You” → I/we/he/she/they
Direct: He said to me, “You are right.”
Indirect: He told me that I was right.
• “We” → they
Direct: “We will win,” they said.
Indirect: They said that they would win.
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6. Time and Place Changes
Direct Indirect
today → that day “I’ll finish today.” → He said he’d finish that day.
tomorrow → the next day “I’ll go tomorrow.” → She said she’d go the next day.
yesterday → the previous day “I ate yesterday.” → He said he had eaten the previous day.
now → then “I am busy now.” → She said she was busy then.
here → there “Come here.” → She told me to come there.
this → that “This is good.” → He said that was good.
these → those “These are mine.” → She said those were hers.
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7. Conversion Rules by Type
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A. Statements (Assertive Sentences)
Use that after the reporting verb.
Examples:
• Direct: He said, “I play football.”
Indirect: He said that he played football.
• Direct: She told me, “You are late.”
Indirect: She told me that I was late.
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B. Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
WH-Questions
Keep the WH-word.
Remove the question format.
Example:
Direct: She asked, “Where do you live?”
Indirect: She asked where I lived.
Yes/No Questions
Use if or whether.
Example:
Direct: He asked, “Do you know him?”
Indirect: He asked if I knew him.
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C. Commands and Requests (Imperative Sentences)
Use to + verb.
Use not to for negative commands.
Examples:
• “Sit down,” the teacher said.
→ The teacher told them to sit down.
• “Please help me,” he said.
→ He requested me to help him.
• “Don’t shout,” she said.
→ She told them not to shout.
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D. Exclamatory Sentences
Use verbs like exclaimed with joy/sorrow/surprise.
Remove exclamatory words.
Examples:
• “What a beautiful place!” he said.
→ He exclaimed that it was a very beautiful place.
• “Alas! I failed,” she said.
→ She exclaimed with sorrow that she had failed.
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8. Modal Verb Changes
Direct Indirect
will → would | “I will come.” → He said he would come.
shall → should |“I shall help.” → She said she should help.
can → could |“I can solve it.” → He said he could solve it.
may → might |“It may rain.” → She said it might rain.
must → had to |“You must work.” → He said I had to work.
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9. Summary Table
Type of Sentence Connector Final Form
Statement that Statement
WH-Question WH-word Statement
Yes/No Question if/whether Statement
Command/Request to / not to Infinitive
Exclamation that Statement expressing feel.