grade 7 english grammar direct and indirect speech

Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 17 Direct and Indirect Speech

Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 17 Direct and Indirect Speech. If we give the exact words used by the speaker. This is called Direct Speech. If we do not give the exact words of the speaker but give only the substance of what he said. This is called Indirect Speech. For example, Ram said, “Hari is a poor boy.” is direct speech whereas Ram said that Hari was a poor boy is Indirect Speech.

Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 17 Direct and Indirect Speech with Examples

Class 7 English Grammar Direct and Indirect Speech
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Mastering the art of narration in English involves a deep understanding of Direct and Indirect Speech, as beautifully captured in Chapter 17 of Class 7 English Grammar. When we opt to convey the exact, unaltered words of a speaker, we utilize Direct Speech. A quintessential example of this is: “Ram said, ‘Amit is a poor boy.’” Here, we’re recounting Ram’s statement verbatim, retaining the original essence and tone.

Class: 7	English Grammar
Chapter: 17	Direct and Indirect Speech
Books:	Textbook and Revision Book
Academic Session:	2024-25

Direct Speech

The exact words of the speaker are put within inverted commas. (” “).
The first word of the R.S. begins with a capital letter.
A comma is placed after the Reporting Verb to separate it from the second part of the sentence.

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On the other hand, Indirect Speech offers a subtle shift, focusing on the essence rather than the exact phrasing of the speaker’s words. Instead of quoting Ram directly, we might say, “Ram mentioned that Amit was a poor boy.” This approach, while retaining the core message, omits the direct quotation. By distinguishing between these two styles, students can enhance their linguistic skills, ensuring effective and accurate communication in various contexts.

Indirect Speech

The reported words are not placed within inverted commas.
No comma is placed after “said”.
The reported speech is introduced by the conjunction that/if/to/what/when, etc.
The tense of the verb in the R.S. is changed from the Present to the Past.

Rules for changing direct speech into indirect speech

R.V. say/says/will say/shall say/said is changed into tell/tells/will tell/shall tell/told or replied/informed or answered if it is followed by an object.
The Conjunction that is used in place of the inverted commas.
The first word of the reported speech does not begin with a capital letter except when it is a Proper Noun or pronoun I.
The comma which separates the R.S. from the rest of the sentence is dropped.
If the R.V. is in the Present or Future Tense, the Verb in the R.S. is not changed at all.

Direct	Indirect
He will say, “She loves him.”	He will say that she loves him.
I say, “He is a cheat.”	I say that he is a cheat.
I say to him, “Laxmi sings a song.”	I tell him that Laxmi sings a song.
She says to me, “She is a nurse.”	She tells me that she is a nurs.
We shall say, “They are fools.”	We shall say that they are fools.
He says, “Manoj is rich.”	He says that Manoj is rich.

Exception to Rule

If the Reported Speech expresses some universal truth, factual truth, habitual fact, natural fact, historical fact, scientific fact, the tense of the verb in R.S. is not changed into the Past.

Direct	Indirect
Naresh said, “Two and two make four.”	Naresh said that two and two make four.
Father said to me, “The air has weight.”	Father told me that the air has weight.
Mother said to me, “Union is strength.”	Mother told me that union is strength.
He said, “Sea water testes saltish.”	He said that sea water tastes saltish.
Neeraj said, “God loves all things below.”	Neeraj said that God loves all things below.
The teacher said, “The earth is round.”	The teacher said that the earth is round.

More to Know

The Reporting Verb said or told are changed into asked/inquired/demanded etc.
If the sentence begins with the helping verb or Modal Auxiliary then “if” or “whether” is used as conjunction.
If a Positive Question in the R.S. has the helping verb do/does,do or does is dropped.
The interrogative form changes into the Assertive form.
The same word is used to introduce the R.S. if the Question begins with an Interrogative Pronoun or Adverb, such as what, which, whom and when, where, how and why etc.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 7 CBSE With Answers

When we use the exact words of the speaker, it is called direct speech. Indirect or Reported Speech refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said.

Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 7 CBSE With Answers PDF

When the exact words of the speaker are quoted, it is called direct speech. When the meaning of the words is reported without using the exact words, it is called indirect speech.

Cam said, “The monster is coming.” (direct speech)
Cam said that the monster was coming. (indirect speech)

Changing Tenses

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, we change tense as given below. The tense does not change in case of past perfect or past perfect continuous.


1. I said to her, “When do you do your homework?”	1. I asked her when she did her homework.
2. We said to him, “Are you ill?”	2. We asked him if he was ill.
3. You said to me, “Have you read the article?”	3. You asked me if I had read the article.
4. He said to her, “Will you go to the Peshawar Radio Station?”	4. He asked her if she would go to the Peshawar Radio Station.
5. She says, “Who is he?”	5. She says who he was.
6. Rashid says to me, “Why have you got late?”	6. Rashid says to me why I had got late.

Exceptions 1. When the reporting verb is in the present tense or future time, the tenses in the reported verb remain unchanged. Example:

Alam says, “I am feeling better.”
Alam says that he is feeling better.

2. When reporting a universal truth or a moral principle or a natural fact, we may or may not change the present tense in the reported speech. Example:

Deepti said, “The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.”
Deepti said that the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises Solved Example With Answers for Class 7 CBSE

A. Complete the following reported speeches by filling in the blanks.

Question 1. Mary said, “Dipanwita is learning to play the piano.” Mary said that Dipanwita …………………………… (is learning/was learning) to play the piano. Answer: Mary said that Dipanwita was learning to play the piano.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises With Answers

Question 2. Kaustav said, “The next World Cup will take place in Russia.” Kaustav said …………………………… (that/which) the next World Cup …………………………… (will/would) take place in Russia. Answer: Kaustav said that the next World Cup would take place in Russia.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises Solved Example With Answers

Question 3. Ms Paul said, “We should reduce our usage of oil and petrol.” Ms Paul said that we …………………………… (should reduce/had reduced) our usage of oil and petrol. Answer: Ms Paul said that we should reduce our usage of oil and petrol.

Question 4. The volunteer said, “The relief work in the flood-affected areas is going well.” The volunteer said that the relief work in the flood-affected areas …………………………… (had gone/was going) well. Answer: The volunteer said that the relief work in the flood-affected areas was going well.

Question 5. The newspapers report read, “There has been too much rain this year.” The newspapers …………………………… (report/reported) that there …………………………… (has been had been) too much rain this year. Answer: The newspapers reported that there had been too much rain this year.

Changing Pronouns And Possessive Adjectives


First-person pronouns are changed according to the subject and the reporting verb.	Sonali says, “I have got my bags packed.”	Sonali says that she has got her bags packed.
Second person pronouns and corresponding possessive adjectives remain the same if the reporting is done to the same person(s).	I said (to you), “Your speech was very well- received.”	I told you that your speech had been very well- received.
Second person pronouns and the corresponding possessive adjectives change to first-person if the person being addressed in the reported speech is in first person too.	Shambhavi said to me, “You should enroll in a dance class.”	Shambhavi said to me ^ that I should enrojl in a dance class.
Third-person pronouns and the corresponding possessive adjectives do not change while reporting.	Pete said, “Maria is playing her best these days.”	Pete said that Maria was playing her best those days.

Changing Time And Place Words

Place, demonstrations, and time expressions:-Place, demonstrations, and time expressions change if the context of the reported statement (i.e. the location and/ or the period of time) is different from that of the direct speech.

In the following table, you will find the different changes of place, demonstrations, and time expressions.



today	That day
Now	Then
yesterday …	The day before
days ago last	…days before
week	The week before

Next year	The following year
tomorrow	The next day/the following day

here	There

This	That
these	those

B. Change these sentences to reported speech.

Question 1. Sharif said, “The books are here on this table.” Answer: Sharif said that the books were there on that table.

Question 2. Neelam said, “I am at the station now.” Answer: Neelam said that she was at the station then.

Question 3. Pragya said, “I bought these pens from the shop there.” Answer: Pragya said that she had bought those pens from the shop there.

Question 4. Her friends said, “We are going to the concert tonight.” Answer: Her friends said that they were going to the concert that night.

Question 5. I said, “Satya completed his graduation last year. This year, he will travel. Answer: I said that Satya had completed his graduation the previous year. That year, he would travel.

Reporting Questions


When reporting questions, the subject comes before the verb.	Ratna asked, “Where are they going?”	Ratna asked where they were going.
The auxiliary verb do is only used in negative questions.	Mrs Singh said, “Who does not want to go to the picnic?”	Mrs Singh asked us who did not want to go to the picnic.
Yes/No questions are reported using if or whether.	Nina asked me if I wanted her to pick me up.	Nina said, ‘Do you want me to pick you up?’
Yes/No questions are reported using if or whether.	Nidhi asked Adil, “Have you fed the dog?”	Nidhi asked Adil whether he had fed the dog.
When reporting questions with who, what or which + be + object, the verb be may be placed before or after the object.	Who is the author of this book?	I asked who the author of the book was. OR I asked who was the author of the book.

C. Kyle, a student from the Philippines, has enrolled in Shivani’s class. Shivani asks him the following questions. Report these questions.

Question 1. When did you and your parents move to India? Answer: Shivani asked Kyle when did he and his parents move to India.

Question 2. How long will you stay? Answer: She asked him how long would he stay.

Question 3. Are you enjoying your stay here? Answer: She also asked him if he was enjoying his stay there.

Question 4. Have you faced any difficulties while adjusting at school? Answer: Then, she asked him is he had faced any difficulties while adjusting at school.

Question 5. Do you miss your friends from the Philippines? Answer: At the end, whe asked him if he missed his friends from Philippines.

Reporting Requests And Commands

While reporting requests or commands, instructions or pieces of advice, we use the reporting verb which matches the meaning of the direct sentence, and the verb in the original direct speech is changed to its infinitive form. Example:

Farzana asked, “Could you look after my dog when I am away?”
Farzana requested me to look after her dog while she was away.

Reporting Wishes Or Exclamations

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 Examples:

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 rules given below along with the above–mentioned rules: In case, there is an interjection i.e., alas, aha, hurray, aha, etc in the Reported Speech, then they are omitted along with a 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.

D. Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech.

Question 1. Lalita said, “Wow! I have won the first prize!” Lalita exclaimed ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Lalita exclaimed that he had won the first prize.

Question 2. Hansa said to Kavya, “Happy journey!” Hansa wished Kavya. ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Hansa wished Kavya a happy journey.

Question 3. Dina said to me, “I solved the puzzle!” Dina exclaimed that ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Dina ‘exclaimed that she had solved the puzzle.

Question 4. My father (to me): May you have a successful career! My father wished me ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: My father wished me a successful career.

Question 5. Child (to Mummy): Good night! The child wished his mother ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: The child wished his mother a good night.

Question 6. Lalit said to Hansita, “Wish you a speedy recovery from illness!” Lalit wished Hansita ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Lalit wished Hansita a speedy recovery from illness.

Question 7. Ms. Quader said to the class, “Good luck for your exams!” Ms. Quader wished the class ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Ms. Quader wished the class good luck for their exams.

E. Change the following from indirect speech to direct speech.

Question 1. The gardener warned us to look out as there was a snake in the garden. The gardener said ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: The gardener said, “Lookout! There is a snake in the garden.”

Question 2. My mother wished me a happy birthday. My mother said to me ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: My mother said to me, “Happy birthday.”

Question 3. Kala exclaimed that she was very sorry for her mistake. Kala said to me ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Kala said to me, “I am sorry for my mistake.”

Question 4. Sugata cried out in pain that a thorn had pricked him. Sugata said ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Sugata said, “A thorn has pricked me!”

Question 5. Jatin wished me a lovely day. Jatin said to me ……………………………………………………………………………… Answer: Jatin said to me, “Have a lovely day.”

Converting Statements From Indirect Into Direct Speech

While changing indirect speech into direct speech, we use the reporting verb say or said. We make necessary changes to the tenses, personal pronouns and adjectives, and time and place words. We add inverted commas to the words spoken by the speaker. Examples:

Meha said that she was in the library.
Meha said, “I am in the library.”
Amit told Rohan that the trip had been canceled.
Amit said to Rohan, “The trip has/was/had been canceled.”

F. Fill in the missing words in the direct speech.

Question 1. Harry asked me if I had read that book. Harry ……………………………….. me, “Have you read this book?”. Answer: Harry asked me, “Have you read this book?”

Question 2. Soumya asked Tripti if she liked eggs. Soumya asked Tripti, “Do. ……………………………….. like eggs?” Answer: Soumya asked Tripti, “Do you like eggs?”

Question 3. Kinu asked Thimpu who would teach him English. Kinu asked Thimpu, “Who will teach ……………………………….. English?” Answer: Kinu asked Thimpu, “Who will teach me English?”!

Question 4. Charu asked why the laptop was not working. Charu asked, “Why ……………………………….. the laptop not working?” Answer: Charu asked, “Why is the laptop not working?”

Question 5. Sam asked who had let the dogs out. Sam asked, ……………………………….. the dogs out?” Answer: Sam asked, “Who let the dogs out?”

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English Grammar Worksheets

Direct And Indirect Speech Worksheet For Class 7

by Manjusha · Published November 16, 2020 · Updated April 11, 2024

There are two ways of reporting people’s words and thoughts. When we give the exact words of the speaker, it is called direct speech.

Rahul said, ‘I am going home.’
The man asked, ‘What do you want?’
The mother asked the girl, ‘Why are you crying?’

We can also report these questions and statements by making them a part of our sentence. This is called indirect speech or reported speech.

When we change a sentence from direct speech to indirect speech, there is usually a change in tense and pronouns. Also, words showing nearness in time and place will be replaced by words indicating distance in indirect speech. Can you use indirect speech correctly?

Basic rules for indirect speech

If the reporting verb / main verb is in the past tense, the rest of the sentence too will be in the past tense.

Radha said, ‘I am feeling sick.’
Radha said that she was feeling sick.
‘I can’t find my phone,’ the girl said.
The girl that she couldn’t find her phone.

Generally speaking, the present verb in the direct speech changes to the past verb in the indirect speech.

is / am -> was
are -> were
has / have -> had
do / does -> did
will -> would; can -> could; may -> might; shall -> should
The employee said, ‘I have finished the job.’ (Direct speech)
The employee said that he/she had finished the job. (Indirect speech)
I don’t want to live here,’ said the old woman. (Direct speech)
The old woman said that she didn’t want to live there.
She said, ‘I will be leaving in an hour.’ (Direct speech)
She said that she would be leaving in an hour. (Indirect speech)
She said, ‘I want to go.’
She said that she wanted to go.
The boy said, ‘I can’t find my watch.’
The boy said that he couldn’t find his watch .
The students said, ‘We waited for hours.’
The students said that they had waited for hours.

When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense in the indirect speech does not change.

He says, ‘I am tired.’
He says that he is tired.
She will say, ‘I am not coming.’
She will say that she is not coming.

We use if or whether to report a ‘Yes/No’ question.

Rahul said, ‘Are you going to the party.’
Rahul asked if/whether I was going to the party.

Worksheet 1

Change the following sentences in direct speech to indirect speech.

1. Shyam said, “I want to buy a new laptop.’

2. Rahul said to me, ‘I am going to the movies.’

3. Mother said to me. ‘Learn your lessons.’

4. Madhav said, ‘I am hungry.’

5. Supriya said, ‘I am preparing for my exam.’

6. Rahul said, ‘I have to send a letter to my grandmother.’

7. Venu said, ‘I failed my exam.’

8. Manohar said to me, ‘I like your attitude.’

9. The girls said, ‘We are rehearsing for the programme.’

10. He said, ‘I know the answer.’

11. ‘I want to talk to the manager,’ said the woman.

12. ‘Do you know anyone here?’ he asked me.

13. ‘I will return in an hour,’ he said to me.

14. ‘Will you accept the job?’ my mother asked.

15. ‘When will you arrive?’ she asked me.

16. ‘I don’t enjoy this party,’ he said.

17. ‘I can’t bear the pain,’ said the boy.

18. ‘Say something,’ the investigators asked him.

19. ‘Leave me alone,’ she said to me.

20. ‘This is my seat,’ the boy told me.

1. Shyam said that he wanted to buy a new laptop .

2. Rahul told me that he was going to the movies.

3. Mother told me to learn my lessons. / Mother asked me to learn my lessons.

4. Madhav said that he was hungry.

5. Supriya said that she was preparing for her exam .

6. Rahul said that he had to send a letter to his grandmother .

7. Venu said that he had failed his exam.

8. Manohar told me that he liked my attitude.

9. The girls said that they were rehearsing for the programme.

10. He told me that he knew the answer .

11. The woman said that she wanted to talk to the manager.

12. He asked me if / whether I knew anyone there.

13. He told me that he would return in an hour.

14. My mother asked me if / whether I would accept the job.

15. ‘She asked me when I would arrive.

16. He said that he didn’t enjoy that party.

17. The boy cried that he couldn’t bear the pain .

18. The investigators asked /told him to say something.

19. She asked/told me to leave her alone.

20. The boy told me that that was his seat .

Worksheet 2

Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into indirect speech / reported speech .

1. ‘Can I have two tickets?’ the woman said to the clerk.

2. ‘I need to book two tickets,’ the man said.

3. ‘I don’t want to waste any more time,’ the boy added.

4. ‘How long does the tour last?’ the tourist asked the guide.

5. ‘How long does it take to get there?’ the traveler asked.

6. ‘How much is a student ticket?’ the girl asked.

7. ‘I would like a map of the area,’ the inspector said.

8. ‘Do you have any brochures in English?’ the visitor asked the receptionist.

9. ‘Is there somewhere to leave our coats?’ the students asked.

10. ‘What time does the park close?’ the visitor asked.

1. The woman asked the clerk if she could have two tickets.

2. The man said that he needed to book two tickets.

3. The boy added that he didn’t want to waste any more time.

4. The tourist asked the guide how long the tour lasted.

5. The traveler asked how long it took to get there.

6. The girl asked how much a student ticket was.

7. The inspector said that he would like a map of the area.

8. The visitor asked the receptionist if he/she had any brochures in English.

9. The students asked if there was somewhere to leave their coats.

10. The visitor asked what time the park closed.

Worksheet 3

Sentences are given in direct speech. Change them into indirect speech.

1. ‘I don’t want to wait any longer,’ she said.

2. ‘What do you want?’ he asked me.

3. ‘You are not going to watch TV,’ said mother.

4. ‘Have you ever been to the US?’ he asked me.

5. ‘Somebody is stealing my cucumbers,’ she said.

6. ‘I had a strange experience yesterday,’ he said.

7. Maya said, ‘I am not going to the party.’

8. The girl said, ‘This colour does not suit me.’

9. Ravi said, ‘I don’t enjoy this party.’

10. ‘Are you coming with me?’ Sheela asked me.

11. ‘I haven’t eaten anything since morning,’ said the boy.

12. ‘The patient needs blood transfusion,’ said the doctor.

13. ‘Have you done your homework?’ the teacher asked the students.

14. ‘Why don’t you listen to me?’ he said to her.

15. ‘Why did you do that?’ he asked me.

16. ‘How can you be so careless?’ said my mother.

17. ‘What did you do then?’ he asked me.

18. ‘We have been waiting for hours,’ they said.

19. ‘How will I solve this problem?’ she asked.

20. ‘If you don’t learn your lessons, you will not get good marks,’ the teacher told me.

1. She said that she didn’t want to wait any longer.

2. He asked me what I wanted.

3. Mother said that I was not going to watch TV.

4. He asked me if / whether I had ever been to the US.

5. She said / complained that somebody was stealing her cucumbers.

6. He said that he had had a strange experience the previous day.

7. Maya said that she was not going to the party.

8. The girl said that that colour did not suit her.

9. Ravi said that he didn’t enjoy that party.

10. She asked me if / whether I was going with her.

11. The boy said that he hadn’t eaten anything since morning.

12. The doctor said that the patient needed blood transfusion.

13. The teacher asked the students if they had done their homework.

14. He asked her why she didn’t listen to him.

15. He asked me why I had done that.

16. My mother wondered how I could be so careless.

17. He asked me what I had done then.

18. They said that they had been waiting for hours.

19. She asked / wondered how she would solve that problem.

20. The teacher told me that if I didn’t learn my lessons, I would not get good marks.

Worksheet 4

Change sentences in direct speech to indirect speech.

1. Rahul said to Madhav, ‘Can you lend me a few hundred rupees?’

2. She said, ‘I might be working late tonight.’

3. The girl asked the librarian, ‘Can I borrow two books at a time?’

4. The man said, ‘I want to quit this job.’

5. The teacher said, ‘Every student should submit their work before Friday.’

6. The doctor said to the patient, ‘Get enough rest.’

7. The teacher said to the student, ‘Have you had your lunch?’

8. The teacher asked, ‘Can anybody solve this problem?’

9. ‘I will not put up with this,’ she said.

10. ‘I am looking for a job,’ the man said.

1. Rahul asked Madhav if / whether he could lend him a few hundred rupees.

2. She said that she might be working late that night.

3. The girl asked the librarian if she could borrow two books at a time.

4. The man said that he wanted to quit his job.

5. The teacher said that every student should submit their work before Friday .

6. The doctor advised the patient to get enough rest.

7. The teacher asked the student if / whether he/she had had his/her lunch.

8. The teacher asked if anybody could solve that problem.

9. She said that she would not put up with that.

10. The man said that he was looking for a job.

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I only get one correct but nice

Good but i expected a bit more harder

Direct and Indirect Speech: Useful Rules and Examples

Are you having trouble understanding the difference between direct and indirect speech? Direct speech is when you quote someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. This can be a tricky concept to grasp, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to use both forms of speech with ease.

Direct and Indirect Speech

When someone speaks, we can report what they said in two ways: direct speech and indirect speech. Direct speech is when we quote the exact words that were spoken, while indirect speech is when we report what was said without using the speaker’s exact words. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I love pizza,” said John. Indirect speech: John said that he loved pizza.

Using direct speech can make your writing more engaging and can help to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion. However, indirect speech can be useful when you want to summarize what someone said or when you don’t have the exact words that were spoken.

To change direct speech to indirect speech, you need to follow some rules. Firstly, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb. Secondly, you need to change the pronouns and adverbs in the reported speech to match the new speaker. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I will go to the park,” said Sarah. Indirect speech: Sarah said that she would go to the park.

It’s important to note that when you use indirect speech, you need to use reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked” to indicate who is speaking. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “What time is it?” asked Tom. Indirect speech: Tom asked what time it was.

In summary, understanding direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication and writing. Direct speech can be used to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion, while indirect speech can be useful when summarizing what someone said. By following the rules for changing direct speech to indirect speech, you can accurately report what was said while maintaining clarity and readability in your writing.

Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech

When it comes to reporting speech, there are two ways to go about it: direct and indirect speech. Direct speech is when you report someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. Here are some of the key differences between direct and indirect speech:

Change of Pronouns

In direct speech, the pronouns used are those of the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the pronouns have to be changed to reflect the perspective of the reporter. For example:

Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John.
Indirect speech: John said he was going to the store.

In the above example, the pronoun “I” changes to “he” in indirect speech.

Change of Tenses

Another major difference between direct and indirect speech is the change of tenses. In direct speech, the verb tense used is the same as that used by the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the verb tense may change depending on the context. For example:

Direct speech: “I am studying for my exams,” said Sarah.
Indirect speech: Sarah said she was studying for her exams.

In the above example, the present continuous tense “am studying” changes to the past continuous tense “was studying” in indirect speech.

Change of Time and Place References

When reporting indirect speech, the time and place references may also change. For example:

Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” said Tom.
Indirect speech: Tom said he would meet you at the park the next day.

In the above example, “tomorrow” changes to “the next day” in indirect speech.

Overall, it is important to understand the differences between direct and indirect speech to report speech accurately and effectively. By following the rules of direct and indirect speech, you can convey the intended message of the original speaker.

Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech

When you need to report what someone said in your own words, you can use indirect speech. To convert direct speech into indirect speech, you need to follow a few rules.

Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks

The first step is to remove the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text. This is because indirect speech does not use the exact words of the speaker.

Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker

To indicate that you are reporting what someone said, you need to use a reporting verb such as “said,” “asked,” “told,” or “exclaimed.” You also need to use a linker such as “that” or “whether” to connect the reporting verb to the reported speech.

For example:

Direct speech: “I love ice cream,” said Mary.
Indirect speech: Mary said that she loved ice cream.

Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb

When you use indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb.

Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.

Step 4: Change the Pronouns

You also need to change the pronouns in the reported speech to match the subject of the reporting verb.

Direct speech: “Are you busy now?” Tina asked me.
Indirect speech: Tina asked whether I was busy then.

By following these rules, you can convert direct speech into indirect speech and report what someone said in your own words.

Converting Indirect Speech Into Direct Speech

Converting indirect speech into direct speech involves changing the reported speech to its original form as spoken by the speaker. Here are the steps to follow when converting indirect speech into direct speech:

Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb used in the indirect speech. This will help you determine the tense of the direct speech.
Change the pronouns: The next step is to change the pronouns in the indirect speech to match the person speaking in the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “She said that she was going to the store,” the direct speech would be “I am going to the store,” if you are the person speaking.
Change the tense: Change the tense of the verbs in the indirect speech to match the tense of the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “He said that he would visit tomorrow,” the direct speech would be “He says he will visit tomorrow.”
Remove the reporting verb and conjunction: In direct speech, there is no need for a reporting verb or conjunction. Simply remove them from the indirect speech to get the direct speech.

Here is an example to illustrate the process:

Indirect Speech: John said that he was tired and wanted to go home.

Direct Speech: “I am tired and want to go home,” John said.

By following these steps, you can easily convert indirect speech into direct speech.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and indirect speech are two ways to report what someone has said. Direct speech reports the exact words spoken by a person, while indirect speech reports the meaning of what was said. Here are some examples of both types of speech:

Direct Speech Examples

Direct speech is used when you want to report the exact words spoken by someone. It is usually enclosed in quotation marks and is often used in dialogue.

“I am going to the store,” said Sarah.
“It’s a beautiful day,” exclaimed John.
“Please turn off the lights,” Mom told me.
“I will meet you at the library,” said Tom.
“We are going to the beach tomorrow,” announced Mary.

Indirect Speech Examples

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. It is often used in news reports, academic writing, and in situations where you want to paraphrase what someone said.

Here are some examples of indirect speech:

Sarah said that she was going to the store.
John exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
Mom told me to turn off the lights.
Tom said that he would meet me at the library.
Mary announced that they were going to the beach tomorrow.

In indirect speech, the verb tense may change to reflect the time of the reported speech. For example, “I am going to the store” becomes “Sarah said that she was going to the store.” Additionally, the pronouns and possessive adjectives may also change to reflect the speaker and the person being spoken about.

Overall, both direct and indirect speech are important tools for reporting what someone has said. By using these techniques, you can accurately convey the meaning of what was said while also adding your own interpretation and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech refer to the ways in which we communicate what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, using quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting someone. Indirect speech, on the other hand, involves reporting what someone has said without using their exact words.

How do you convert direct speech to indirect speech?

To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb, such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.” For example, “I love ice cream,” said Mary (direct speech) can be converted to “Mary said that she loved ice cream” (indirect speech).

What is the difference between direct speech and indirect speech?

The main difference between direct speech and indirect speech is that direct speech uses the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. Direct speech is usually enclosed in quotation marks, while indirect speech is not.

What are some examples of direct and indirect speech?

Some examples of direct speech include “I am going to the store,” said John and “I love pizza,” exclaimed Sarah. Some examples of indirect speech include John said that he was going to the store and Sarah exclaimed that she loved pizza .

What are the rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech?

The rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech include changing the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb and use appropriate reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.”

What is a summary of direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech are two ways of reporting what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions and introduce a reporting verb.

English 7 Quarter 1 – Module 6: Direct and Reported Speeches

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master how to create direct and reported speech. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is composed of one lesson:

Use direct and reported speeches appropriately in varied contexts

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the features of direct and reported speeches;

2. Differentiate direct and reported speeches;

3. Change direct speech to reported speech; and

4. Use direct and reported speeches in sentences.

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Direct and indirect speech worksheet for class 7

by Manjusha · Published March 20, 2016 · Updated March 20, 2016

Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into the indirect speech.

1. The captain said, ‘This is an occasion to celebrate.’

2. The mother said to her daughter, ‘I’m proud of your achievements.’

3. ‘I’ve spoken nothing but the truth,’ the prisoner said.

4. The mother said to her son, ‘I will lend you the money but you have to listen to me.’

5. ‘Is your father at home?’ the stranger asked me.

6. ‘Get out of the class,’ the teacher yelled at the boy.

7. Sarika said, ‘Let’s get something to eat.’

8. Karan said, ‘Alas, how foolish I have been.’

9. The traveler said, ‘I’ve lost all my money.’

10. They said to her this morning, ‘We will meet you tomorrow evening.’

1. The captain said that it was an occasion to celebrate.

2. The mother told her daughter that she was proud of her achievements.

3. The prisoner insisted that he had spoken nothing but the truth.

4. The mother told her son that she would lend him the money but he had to listen to her.

5. The stranger asked me if my father was at home.

6. The teacher ordered the boy to get out of the class.

7. Sarika suggested that we should get something to eat.

8. Karan regretted that he had been very foolish.

9. The traveler cried / exclaimed that he had lost all his money.

10. They told her this morning that they would meet her the next day in the evening.

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Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets. You may also want to check out my other blogs IELTS Practice and NCERT Guides

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Grade 7 English FAL - Grammar

Reported speech

Direct speech vs reported speech (indirect speech)

Direct speech

Direct speech refers to the exact words said by a person. To show the direct speech we put the words said inside quotation marks.

“ I am making good progress in learning English ,” Peter said.

the verb ‘said’ in the example above is called ‘the reporting verb’.

Reported speech or indirect speech is the exact meaning of what someone said but not the exact words.

Peter said (that) he was making good progress in learning English.

Notice in the reported sentence above that quotations marks are not used . In addition, the word that can be omitted in everyday speech, especially after the verb said .

We can say:

Peter said he was making progress in learning English.

The most common reporting verbs

The verbs say , tell and ask the most commonly used verbs in both direct and reported speech.The verbs say and tell are used to report statements, whereas ask is used to report questions and commands.

The reporting verb ‘ say’ can be used with or without a personal object.

“I want to learn foreign languages,” she said.
“I want to learn foreign languages,” she said to me.
He asked, “Are you still working on that project?” (question).
“Stop eating much fatty food,” he said to me (command) ⇒ He asked me to stop eating fatty food.

As you can see in sentence 2 above, ‘ said ‘ is used with a personal object (me) that is why it is followed by ‘to’.

Now, let’s turn sentence 1 above into reported speech (indirect speech).

Because the reporting verb, in direct speech, is in the past tense, in reported speech, the should go one step backwards in time.

The reported sentence (1) would look like this:

She said that she wanted to learn foreign languages.

So the present simple ( want ) becomes past simple ( wanted ). Also, the pronoun ‘ I ’ becomes ‘ she’ .

Tip: The tense in the reported part moves one step backwards in time

(but you can’t go further back than the past perfect).

Examples of direct and reported speech with different tenses:

He said, “The food is really delicious .”

He said that the food was really delicious.

“I have stopped lying,” he said to his father.

He told his father (that) he had stopped lying.

“We have been studying English for hours,” she said.

She said (that) they had been studying English for hours.

Modals in reported speech:

Modal verbs also change in reported speech.

Will ⇒ would
Would ⇒ would
Shall ⇒ should / would
Can ⇒ could / would be able to
Could ⇒ could
May ⇒ might
Migh ⇒ might
Must ⇒ must / had to
Have to ⇒ had to
Needn’t ⇒ didn’t need to / didn’t have to
Had better ⇒ had better

Examples of direct and reported speech with modals

“I can sing for long hours,” Tom said.

→ Tom said (that) he could sing for long hours. (ability)

“I can finish all my tasks tomorrow,” she said to her mother.

→ She told her mother (that) she would be able to finish all her tasks the next day. (ability)

Tips : Can (ability in present) ⇒ could

Can (ability in the future) ⇒ would be able to

“You must respect our school rules,” she said.

→ She said I we must / had to respect their school rules. (obligation/necessity)

“You must be a hard-working learner,” she said.

→ She said that I must be a hard-working learner. (deduction/conclusion)

Tips: When must expresses obligation, keep it ( must ) or change it to had to in reported speech.

If must expresses deduction or conclusion, it does not change in reported speech.

“We have plenty of food at home. You needn’t buy any now,” she said to her husband. (present)

→ She told her husband (that) they had plenty of food at home and that he didn’t need to / didn’t have to buy any food then.

“You needn’t come next Monday,” he said.

He said (that) I/we wouldn’t have to come the following Monday.

Tips: Needn’t (present) ⇒ didn’t need to / didn’t have to

Needn’t (future) ⇒ wouldn’t have to

Adverbials of time and place in reported speech

Today → that day

Now → then / at that time / at that moment

Tonight → that night

Last night → the previous night

Yesterday → the day before

Last week / year … → the following week/ year …

Two days…ago → two days… before (earlier)

Tomorrow → the next day / the following day

The day after tomorrow → in two days’ time.

Next week … → the following week

Here → there

This → that

These → those

AKTIWITEITE

Grade 7 english fal – reported speech activity.

Rewrite the answers on a piece of paper and change the direct speech into reported speech.

Choose the past simple of ‘ask’, ‘say’ or ‘tell’:

“Don’t do it!”

Start with: She...

“I’m leaving tomorrow”
“Please get me a cup of tea”
“She got married last year”
“Be quick!”
“Could you explain number four, please?”
“Where do you live?”
“We went to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant”
“I’ll come and help you at twelve”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Don’t go!”
“Do you work in Mossel Bay?”
“Could you tell me where the post office is?”
“Come here!”
“I’ve never been to Wales”

(When I used ‘said’ you can also use ‘told me’)

She told me not to do it.
She said (that) she was leaving tomorrow (the next day).
She asked me to get her a cup of tea.
She said (that) she got married last year.
She told me to be quick.
She asked me to explain number four.
She asked me where I lived.
She said (that) they went (had been) to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant.
She said (that) she would come and help me at twelve.
She asked me what I was doing tomorrow (the day after).
She told me not to go.
She asked me if I worked in London.
She asked me to tell her where the post office was.

(or: she asked me if I could tell her where the post office was).

She told me to come here (there).
She said (that) she had never been to Wales.

DRUKBARE DOKUMENTE

TOETS JOU KENNIS

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Direct and Indirect Speech – Rules and Examples

13th June 2020 By Edify English Leave a Comment

Any word spoken by a speaker can be written in two different ways. Those two are direct and indirect speech. Direct Speech is when the speaker’s actual words are quoted and these words are put in inverted commas (“…..”) while Indirect Speech is when the speaker’s words are said indirectly with the same meaning without repeating the exact words. For Example, the statement in direct speech She said to me, “I am going to the park” changes into She told me that she was going to the park in indirect speech.

Basic Changes while changing from Direct speech to indirect speech

The comma ( , )after the reporting verb is removed and the conjunction that is added in the indirect speech.
If the direct speech contains ‘said to’ , it will be converted into ‘told’ in the indirect speech.
The quotation marks (Inverted commas) are to be removed in the indirect speech.
I becomes He/ She
We becomes they
You becomes He / She/ They
Me becomes Him/ he r (Depending on the gender in the direct speech)
My becomes His/ Her .
Our becomes their
Us becomes them
Your becomes His/ her/ their .

Rules in changing a sentence from Direct and Indirect Speech

Rule 1: The Verb in the simple present tense in the direct speech changes into the simple past tense in indirect speech

Example: He said to me, “I am happy” becomes He told me that he was happy

(The verb in the direct speech ‘am’ is converted into ‘was’.)

Rule 2: The verb in the simple past tense becomes past perfect tense in indirect speech.

Example: He said to me, “I was happy” changes into He told me that he had been happy

Rule 3: A present continuous tense in direct speech becomes past continuous tense in indirect speech.

Example: The peon said, “The professor is teaching in that classroom” changes into The peon said that the professor was teaching in that classroom.

Rule 4: If the direct speech contains present perfect tense, it changes into the past perfect tense in indirect speech.

Example: She said, “I have passed the test” becomes She said that she had passed the test.

Rule 5: If the direct speech contains a statement talking about a universal truth or a factual statement, there will be no change of tense in indirect speech.

Example: The teacher said, “The sun rises in the East” becomes The teacher said that the sun rises in the east in indirect speech.

Example: Samuel said, “I know the university’s address.” and the indirect speech for that is Samuel said that he knows the university’s address

Rules for converting Interrogatory sentences

Rule 6: While converting interrogative sentences, the verb ‘said to’ becomes ‘asked’ and if/ whether will come in the place of ‘that’. The connecting word ‘that’ will not be used in indirect speech. Also, the interrogation mark (?) is not repeated in the indirect speech.

Example: He said to her, “Will you marry me?” changes into He asked her whether she would marry him in the indirect speech.

Rules for Converting Imperative Sentences

Rule 7: During the conversion of imperative sentences, the verb “said to” is changed into ordered, advised, requested, suggested, proposed, etc. depending on the situation. Also, the connecting word ‘that’ is not used. Instead of that, ‘ to’ is used before the reporting verb.

Example: My father said to me, “prepare well for your examination” . It can be converted to My father advised me to prepare well for my examination.

Rules for Converting Exclamatory Sentences

Rule 8: For exclamatory sentences, the verb is converted into: exclaimed with joy or sorrow or with surprise, wished, prayed, applauded,/ etc. The exclamatory words and the exclamation are not mentioned anymore in the indirect speech. For example,

Example: The coach said, “Hurrah! we won the match!” is changed as The coach exclaimed with joy that we had won the match.

These are the changes in helping verbs while changing from Direct and Indirect Speech


Am/ Is	Was
Are	Were
Have/ Had/ Did	had
Do/ Does	Did
Will	Would
Shall	Should
Can	Could
May	Might
Must	Had to
Was/ Were	had been
Should	Should
Had	Had
Would	Would
Could	Could

Note: There is no change in the helping verbs “would, should, could, might, had” in the direct speech and they remain the s ame in indirect speech as well.

Changes in Time and Place


This	That
These	Those
Here	There
Now	Then
Today	That Day
Tonight	That Night
Tomorrow	The next day/ The following day
The Day after tomorrow	In two days
The Day before yesterday	Two days before
Ago	Before
Next	The following
Last	The previous
Thus	So
This Evening	That Evening
Hence	Thence

Cha nges in pronoun s

The changes in pronouns in indirect speech depends on the subject and the object of the reporting verb.

Rule 1: The first person of reported speech changes based on the subject of the reporting verb.

Example: She said, “I watched a movie” can be converted into She said that she had watched a movie . Hence, the first person in the direct speech “I” has become “she” based on the subject.

Had there been “he” instead of “she”, the first person in reported speech changes accordingly into “he”.

Rule 2: The second person in reported speech changes based on the object of the reporting verb.

Example: She said to me, “You watched a movie” can be converted into She told me that I had watched a movie.

Rule 3 : The third person in the reported speech remains unchanged.

Example: I said to her, “He will play Chess” can be converted into I told her that he would play Chess.

Stay tuned for more examples of direct and indirect speech.

For an extensive material on tenses, Click here

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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.

grade 7 english grammar direct and indirect speech

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Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and indirect speech is one topic in English grammar that confuses most language learners. It need not necessarily be so; if you understand how it works, you can easily use it in your writing.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

When converting direct speech to indirect speech or vice-versa, you will have to take care to convert the verb , pronoun and the adverb appropriately. Go through the following exercises and try them out. Answers are given below each exercise; refer to them to see if your answers are right.

Exercise 1: Change into indirect speech

Read the following sentences and convert them into indirect speech.

Rahul told to me, “When are you leaving?”
“Where do you live?” the stranger asked Aladdin.
The teacher said to Shelly, “Why are you laughing?”
Dhronacharya said to Arjun, “Shoot the bird’s eye.”
“Call the first convict,” said the jury.
“Call the ambulance,” said the man.
Bruce said to me, “I shall do the work.”
My mother said to me, “You were wrong.”
Mr Richard said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
The captain said to me, “Bravo! You have played well.”
Raj said, “Alas! My pet died.”
Ruchi said, “I may go there.”
Bucky said to Steve, “Do you hear me?”
The boy said, “Let me come in.”
Granny said to me, “May God bless you.”

Answers –

Rahul asked me when I was leaving.
The stranger asked Aladdin where he lived.
The teacher asked Shelly why he was laughing.
Dhronacharya ordered Arjun to shoot the fish’s eye.
The jury ordered to call the first convict.
The man urged to call the ambulance.
Bruce said to me he would do the work.
My mother told me that I was wrong.
Mr Richard requested me to wait there till he returned.
The captain applauded me, saying that I had played well.
Raj exclaimed sadly that his pet died.
Ruchi said that she might go there.
Bucky asked Steve if he heard him.
The boy asked to let him come in.
Granny prayed that God might bless me.

Convert the following into Direct Speech

Read the following passage and convert it into direct speech.

One of them told Issac that the latter had forgotten one thing that belonged to a mill. Issac enquired what that was. The friend asked where the miller was. Issac replied that (absence of the miller) was true – and he must look for one.

“But Issac,” said one of them, “you have forgotten one thing that belongs to a mill.”

“What is that?” asked Issac.

“Why, where is the miller?” said his friend.

“That is true – I must look for one,” said Issac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct narration.

When the actual words/sentences as spoken by the speaker are quoted in a speech, it’s called direct speech/narration.

What is indirect speech?

When the quoted speech is reported in the form of a narrative without changing the meaning of the actual quotation/words by the speaker, it’s called indirect speech/narration.

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Direct and Indirect Speech

Every day, people relay messages from one person to another. Whether it is to prove a point, describe an event, or disclose an opinion, we use the freedom of speech to share information. There are generally two ways of reporting a spoken idea: direct and indirect speech. This article shall explain and compare these two types of speech. Some examples are also provided to give you a more in-depth understanding.

Both direct and indirect speech are methods to narrate the words spoken by a specific person. The difference between them lies in how they are constructed and in the purpose of using them.

Direct Speech

In a direct speech , the actual words of the speaker are quoted explicitly. It is often used to relay something being said in the present tense. It can also be used to recall the exact words of the speaker when retelling a previous conversation. You can recognize a direct speech instantly because it has a text enclosed in a set of quotation marks. That text or idea is known as the reported speech .

He says, “I want to adopt a dog.”
Julia asks, “What do you want to have for dinner?”
Penny answers, “I would like to have some soup.”
“I have a new job,” Kyle says to us.
“I will be working as a virtual assistant,” he added.

As you can see, direct speech can be presented in different tenses: past, present, or future. It depends on when the actual words were spoken and when the reporter is retelling them. Also, reporting verbs (say, ask, answer, etc.) are not necessarily placed before the quoted text. You can also place them after it.

This type of speech is often used in writing novels or telling a story. This is because it gives the text a more actual and realistic effect.

Indirect Speech

Indirect speech is usually used to relay what was being said by the speaker without directly quoting the original words. In this case, the tense of the sentence is typically changed. Reporting verbs, such as say, tell, ask, and others, are used as an introduction. The words of the original speaker will not be enclosed inside the quotation marks. Instead, the word “that” is used to connect the reporting verb to the reported text.

He says that he wants to adopt a dog.
Julia asks Penny what she wants for dinner.
Penny answers that she would like to have some soup.
Kyle told us that he got a new job.
He added that he will be working as a virtual assistant.

The above sentences are actually converted from the previous examples of direct speech. Aside from eliminating the quotation marks, correct pronouns are also used. Additionally, the reporting verbs are now all found before the reported speech. The reporting verb is then followed with “that.”

Converting Direct to Indirect Speech

Now, let us specify the rules in converting direct speech to indirect speech. Here are the steps on how to do so:

1. Eliminate the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text.

The quotation marks are the primary indication of a direct speech. Therefore, it is crucial to take them out if you are forming an indirect one.

2. Retain the tense of the reporting verb and add the word “that” after it.

You have to retain the tense of the reporting verb to allow consistency of reports. Instead of placing a comma to separate the reporting clause from the reported one, the word “that” is added. However, if the reported speech is a yes-no question, you use “if” instead of “that.” If the question starts with who, what, when, where, etc., no additional words are needed. Instead, you have to rearrange the sentence into a declarative form.

Direct Speech: She says, “I want to go to Paris.”
Indirect Speech: She says that she wants to go to Paris.
Direct Speech: She asks, “Do you want to go to Paris?”
Indirect Speech: She asks me if I want to go to Paris.
Direct Speech: “Ms. Thompson, where are you going?” I asked.
Indirect Speech: I asked Ms. Thompson where she was going .

3. Change the tense of the verb in the reported speech, if needed.

If the reporting verb is in the past tense, you should change the tense of the verb inside the reported speech into its past tense. This is not necessary if the reporting verb is in the present or future tense.

Direct Speech: He said , “I am watching a new TV series.”
Indirect Speech: He said that he was watching a new TV series.
Direct Speech: He says , “I am watching a new TV series.”
Indirect Speech: He says that he is watching a new TV series.

Of course, you have to consider the correlation between the report and the idea on the quoted text. Sometimes, a change in tense is not needed even if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

Direct Speech: He said, “I will be watching a new TV series.”
Indirect Speech: He said that he will be watching a new TV series.
Direct Speech: He said, “I watch TV series every night.”
Indirect Speech: He said that he watches TV series every night.

For the first example, the quoted text is still about to happen. So, you don’t need to change the tense of the sentence inside the quotation. For the second example, watching TV series is implied as a habitual action. Therefore, you still have to retain the present tense of the verb.

4. Change the pronouns accordingly.

You should also change the pronoun based on who the speaker, doer, and receiver of the action is.

Direct Speech: Wendy says, “Ron, y ou should take care of yourself .”
Indirect Speech: Wendy told Ron that he should take care of himself .

Appropriate changing of pronouns is done to avoid misunderstanding the whole text. If pronouns are not changed, it might confuse the reader or the listener as to who is saying or doing the action.

The change in pronouns gives rise to changes in the plurality of the verb used. That being said, you have to consider and follow correct subject-verb agreement at all times.

Tense Changes in Indirect Speech

Verb Tenses Changes

Present Simple Tense into Past Simple Tense

For example:

Direct speech: She always wears a coat.
Reported speech: He said (that) she always wore a coat.

Present Continuous Tense into Past Continuous Tense

Direct speech: I ‘m looking for my keys.
Reported speech: She said that she was looking for her keys.

Present Perfect Tense into Past Perfect Tense

Direct speech: She has written three letters for her friend.
Reported speech: He said she had written three letters for her friend.

Past Simple Tense into Past Perfect Tense

Direct speech: My friend gave me a bar of chocolate.
Reported speech: He said that his friend had given him a bar of chocolate.

Past Continuous Tense into Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Direct speech: We were living in London.
Reported speech: They said that they had been living in London.

Past Perfect Tense ( The tense remains unchanged )

Direct speech: The bread had gone stale.
Reported speech: She said the bread had gone stale.

Future Simple Tense (e.g. will ) into “ would “

Direct speech: I will finish my report in two days.
Reported speech: He said that he would finish his report in two days.

Future Progressive Tense (e.g. will be ) into “ would be “

Direct speech: I will be making tea.
Reported speech: He said (that) he would be making tea.

Future Perfect Tense (e.g. will have ) into “ would have “

Direct speech: I will have called a doctor.
Reported speech: He said (that) she would have called a doctor.

Future Perfect Tense (e.g. will have been ) into “ would have been “

Direct speech: All the money will have been spent.
Reported speech: He said (that) all the money would have been spent.

Other Verb Form Changes in Reported Speech

Can into Could

Direct speech: I can speak English.
Reported speech: She said she could speak English.

Could ( The verb remains unchanged)

Direct speech: He could play in the match.
Reported speech: They said he could play in the match.

Have to into Had to

Direct speech: I have to submit this assignment by 3 pm tomorrow.
Reported speech: She said she had to submit this assignment by 3 pm tomorrow.

Must into Must/Had to

Direct speech: I must go to the bank and get some money.
Reported speech: She said she must / had to go to the bank and get some money.

May into Might

Direct speech: I may invite them to dinner.
Reported speech: She said that she might invite them to the dinner.

Might (The verb remains unchanged)

Direct speech: He might get a flight tomorrow.
Reported speech: She said he might get a flight the next day.

Should (The verb remains unchanged)

Direct speech: I should start a job.
Reported speech: She said that she should start a job.

Direct and indirect speech exercises PDF

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Present tenses
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If-conditional
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Direct | indirect object

Direct and indirect speech

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Direct and indirect speech exercises

Reported speech exercises PDF

Learn how to change tenses, pronouns, expressions of time and place in the reported speech.

Reported questions + commands exercises PDF

Practise the difference between the direct and indirect speech in questions, commands and requests.

Online exercises with answers:

Direct - indirect speech exercise 1 Rewrite sentences in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 2 Report a short dialogue in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 3 Find and correct mistakes in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 4 Choose correct answers in a multiple choice test.

Indirect - direct speech exercise 5 Rewrite sentences from the reported speech to direct speech.

Reported questions, commands and requests:

Reported questions exercise 6 Change the reported questions and orders into direct questions and orders.

Reported questions exercise 7 Change direct questions into reported questions.

Reported commands exercise 8 Make reported commands and requests.

Grammar rules PDF:

Reported speech rules PDF Changes of tenses, pronouns, time and place in reported statements, questions and commands.

English grammar PDF All PDF rules with examples on e-grammar.org.

Direct + indirect speech

The Direct & Indirect Speech | English Grammar Class 7 PDF Download

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Direct Speech

The exact words of the speaker are put within inverted commas. (” “).
The first word of the R.S. begins with a capital letter.
A comma is placed after the Reporting Verb to separate it from the second part of the sentence.

Indirect Speech

The reported words are not placed within inverted commas.
No comma is placed after “said”.
The reported speech is introduced by the conjunction that/if/to/what/when, etc.
The tense of the verb in the R.S. is changed from the Present to the Past.

Rules for changing direct speech into indirect speech

R.V. say/says/will say/shall say/said is changed into tell/tells/will tell/shall tell/told or replied/informed or answered if it is followed by an object.
The Conjunction that is used in place of the inverted commas.
The first word of the reported speech does not begin with a capital letter except when it is a Proper Noun or pronoun I.
The comma which separates the R.S. from the rest of the sentence is dropped.
If the R.V. is in the Present or Future Tense, the Verb in the R.S. is not changed at all.

The Direct & Indirect Speech | English Grammar Class 7

Exception to Rule If the Reported Speech expresses some universal truth, factual truth, habitual fact, natural fact, historical fact, scientific fact, the tense of the verb in R.S. is not changed into the Past.

More to Know

The Reporting Verb said or told are changed into asked/inquired/demanded etc.
If the sentence begins with the helping verb or Modal Auxiliary then “if” or “whether” is used as conjunction.
If a Positive Question in the R.S. has the helping verb do/does,do or does is dropped.
The interrogative form changes into the Assertive form.
The same word is used to introduce the R.S. if the Question begins with an Interrogative Pronoun or Adverb, such as what, which, whom and when, where, how and why etc.

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FAQs on The Direct & Indirect Speech - English Grammar Class 7

1. What is direct speech?

2. What is indirect speech?

3. What are the key differences between direct and indirect speech?

4. How do you convert direct speech into indirect speech?

5. Can you give an example of converting direct speech into indirect speech?

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Direct and Indirect Speech

Introduction to Direct and Indirect Speech

The distinction between Direct and Indirect Speech may be confusing for some students. Often when we need to explain an incident or action, it involves quoting what someone said. A social situation, as well as a work email or presentation, are examples of such instances. There are two forms of Speech used to explain what other people say: direct Speech and indirect Speech (or reported Speech).

Direct Speech

The same words spoken are quoted indirect Speech. If we use Direct Speech in writing, we bring the words spoken between quotation marks (" ") and leave them alone. We may be reporting something that is being said (for example, a phone conversation) or asking someone about a previous conversation later.

Nirmal said, "There's a dog outside the window."

Mahima says, "What time will you be home?"

Supriya said, "I don't know!"

Indirect Speech

When we use reported or Indirect Speech to speak about the past, we generally change the tense of the words we say. We use reporting verbs like 'say,' 'tell,' and 'ask,' and we can introduce the reported words with the word 'that.' There are no inverted commas in this sentence.

For Example,

Mahima said that she had seen him.

Nirmal said he was looking forward to playing in the match on Saturday.

Children often mix up Direct and Indirect Speech. We need a way to say the difference between what someone is claimed to have said and what they said when we're writing. What did she say if you asked her? You may respond in one of two ways:

“I don’t like pizza,” Siddi said. (Direct Speech)

Siddi says she doesn’t like pizza. (Indirect Speech)

Note how Speech marks (“...”) are used in Direct Speech to indicate precisely what was said. Speech labels are located at the beginning and end of the actual words spoken. The words 'Siddi said' are not in Speech marks because they were not spoken aloud; rather, they are a way for the writer to express who was speaking to the reader.

The past tense is often used in reported Speech. This is because the words have already been spoken, and the writer is simply reporting on what has already been saying. It's critical to think about what was said and convert it to the past tense.

Direct and Indirect Narration Rules

Following are the steps to convert the Direct/Indirect Speech and also let’s discuss Direct and Indirect Speech tenses rules in detail.

Step 1: Write down the reporting verb that is used to determine the Indirect Speech's tense.

Step 2: Change the position and time to reflect the speaker's actual location and time.

Step 3: For both the object and the subject, use the correct pronoun.

Step 4: Make sure the sentence has the correct structure and word order.

Now we'll go through each of these measures in greater depth.

Step 1: Choosing the Verb's Tense and Conversion

Case 1: Nirmal said, ‘I go to the gym every day.

Case 2: Nirmal says, ‘I go to the gym every day.’

The verb ‘say' is used in both of the instances above to express the action of speaking. In addition, the reporting verb say is used in the past tense in the first case – said. In case 2, however, the reporting verb is in the present tense.

As a consequence, all verbs must be in the relevant past tense here. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, this is often followed. Thus, Nirmal said, ‘I go to the class every day will change to Nirmal said that he went to the gym every day.

The second rule is that the tense is not changed whether the reporting verb is in the future or present tense. So, Nirmal says, ‘I go to the class every day will be changed to Nirmal says that he goes to the class every day.

Step 2: Changes are Made to the Word That Communicates Place, Time, and Connection.

The time or place specified in the sentence should be changed to match the current time or position.

On 21st, May 2015: ‘I will come tomorrow,’ Sriram said.

On 21st, May 2015, Sriram said that he would come the next day.

Step 3: The Subject and Object Pronouns are Chosen Separately.

Case 1: Saurav will say to his friends, “I have started learning psychology” will change to Saurav will tell his friends that he has started learning psychology.

In this case, the speaker and the reporter are the same people. As a consequence, the pronoun should be the first person pronoun.

Case 2: Ma’am said to me, “I hope you will bring the geometry to my next class” will changed to Ma’am hoped that I would bring the geometry to her next class.

The speaker is ma'am, and the reporter is the student. As a consequence, the ma'am pronoun should be in the third person. The reporter's pronoun should also be in the first person.

Remember that we do not change the tense of the reporting verb within the quotation marks when it is in the present or future tense.

When using English, you'll want to use both direct and indirect Speech regularly, so make sure you're familiar with both and can use them correctly. Direct Speech isn't always an accurate representation of what someone has said. Using inverted commas before and after the quotation, you may quote from other texts similarly. Instead of using the verb "to tell," consider using a verb like "to compose," "to state," or "to define." You may convey what is being reported using a variety of verbs; for example, while "to say" is widely used, you may also want to use "to tell" to explain something that has been told to you. Keeping a small diary of what has been said around you is an important way to practise – explain what people have said and try to write a few examples of each form.

FAQs on Direct and Indirect Speech

1. What is Direct and Indirect Speech with Examples?

The same words spoken are quoted in the direct speech. If we use direct speech in writing, we bring the words spoken between quotation marks (" ") and leave them alone. We are talking about the present moment and we are talking about the original content. Direct Speech: “I'm seeing my brother tomorrow.” or “I’ll call them tomorrow”

While reporting if we are changing the words without changing the meaning of the sentence then it is called indirect speech. Here the present tense is converted into past tense. Here the sentence of the speaker is summarized without changing the meaning and reported.

Indirect Speech: She said she was seeing her brother the following day. Or She said that it was hot.

2. What are Simple Rules for Conversion of Indirect Speech to Direct Speech?

Both inverted commas and quotation marks should be eliminated. Put a full stop at the end of the sentence. Shift the present tense of the verb within the inverted commas/quotation marks to the corresponding past tense. Shift it to the past perfect tense if it's in the simple past tense.

Step 1: change the tenses from present to past

Present Tense: I like chocolates

Past Tense: she said that she liked chocolates

Step 2: Change the sentences from simple past to past perfect

Present: He arrived on Tuesday

Past: He said that he had arrived on Tuesday

Step 3: while converting future tense, ‘will’ changes to would

Present: I will be attending the wedding.

Past: She said that she would be attending the wedding.

Step 4: change the present continuous tense to the past continuous tense.

Present: We are eating dinner

Past: They said that they were eating dinner.

Step 5: Change the Present Perfect Tense into Past Perfect Tense

Present: She has finished her task.

Past: She said that she had finished her task.

Step 6: Change the Past Progressive Tense into the Perfect Continuous Tense

Present: My husband was cooking

Past: She said that her husband had been cooking.

Step 7: And also remember past perfect and past perfect progressive doesn't change.

Step 8: And also the future Progressive Tense changes into “would be”. The Future Perfect Tense changes into “would have”.The Future Perfect Progressive Tense changes into “would have been”.

And also follow these simple rules.

The conjunction ‘that’ is used in indirect speech.

The pronoun ‘I’ has to be changed according to the person.

The verb “am" is changed to “was".

For converting to Indirect speech, the words representing nearness will be changed to the words representing distance like the adverb “now” will be converted to the word “Then”, here now represent the nearness in time while ‘then’ represent distance.

3. What are the Examples of Direct Speech?

Few examples of Direct speech are:

Nirmal said, "There's a dog outside the window."

Mahima says, "What time will you be home?"

Supriya said, "I don't know!"

I like chocolates.

Where do you live in?

Where are you?

I play basketball

I do yoga every morning

Can you pass me the bottle, please?

I brought a new pen

I will shift to Mumbai

She had worked hard.

My mom is preparing sweets

Don’t talk to me

I play chess every day

Ananth is dancing on the floor

I like Sachin Tendulkar

She plays the guitar very well

4. Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Speech.


While reporting if we use the exact words of the user, then it is called direct speech.	While reporting, if we gave the same meaning without using exact words then it is called indirect speech.
While writing we use inverted commas	We don’t use inverted commas
Here the words are repeated originally	Here speaker words are summarized, modified
Here it is happening at the present moment	It is in past tense
Any form of verbs can be used	Most commonly said and told is used
I'll come to the party by 8 PM	he said that he would come to the party by 8 PM

5. Give some examples for indirect speech.

She said that she liked chocolates

He said that he played basketball

She asked me to be on time

Neha said that her parents were very well.

He said that he played chess every day

She told me that she liked Sachin Tendulkar

She told me that she had been to the USA.

She said that she had finished her task.

he said that he would come to the party by 8 PM

She said that she hadn’t seen Nupur recently.

She asked me to bring her dress the next day

He asked us not to be late.

They told that they were ready for competition

200+Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers (2025)

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers (2025) help learners understand the transformation between direct statements and reported speech, enhancing their comprehension and expression abilities.

We frequently employ direct and indirect speech in our everyday interactions to accurately convey what was said and summarize information efficiently.

Enhance your understanding of Direct and Indirect Speech with our extensive collection of over 200 exercises and corresponding answers.

Through practice in transforming quotations into reported speech, grasp the principles and methods involved, and refine your differentiation between direct and indirect speech.

Elevate your language proficiency and deepen your comprehension of English with our comprehensive set of over 200 Direct and Indirect Speech exercises and answers.

Understanding Direct Speech

Direct speech is when the exact words spoken by a person are quoted within quotation marks. It provides a direct representation of what was said, maintaining the original wording and tone. Direct speech adds authenticity and immediacy to the narrative.

For example,

Direct Speech: My aunt said, ‘Every mother loves her child.’
Direct Speech: Mon said to me, ‘I shall go, but you will stay.’

Explore Indirect Speech

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, conveys someone else’s words without quoting them directly. Indirect speech offers a concise summary, enabling effective communication and storytelling.

Indirect Speech: My aunt said that every mother loves her child.
Indirect Speech: Mon told me that she would go but I should stay.

Before delving into the direct and indirect speech exercises, consider how Tense , Pronouns , Time , and Place change when transitioning from direct to indirect speech and vice versa.

Exercises and Answers for Direct and Indirect Speech (2025)

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and answers, along with examples are given in the following for practice. It’s important for students as well as for competitive Exams. For practice and easy comprehension, Direct and indirect speech Exercises and answers have been arranged according to different rules in the following.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers with Tense Transformations

Exercises and answers with tense alterations facilitate practice and comprehension of verb tense transformations.

Exercise 1:

Change the mode of narration from direct Speech to indirect speech .

(1) He said , ‘I need some money.’ Ans: He said that he needed some money.

(2) She said, ‘I am waiting for him.’ Ans: She said that she was waiting for him.

(3) The boy said , ‘I have done my homework.’ Ans: The boy said that he had done his homework.

(4) You said, ‘The baby has been sleeping .” Ans: You said that the baby had been sleeping .

(5) You say, ‘I am always busy.’ Ans: You say that you are always busy.

(6) The child will say , ‘Mum knows everything.’ Ans: The child will say that Mum knows everything.

(7) He said , ‘I did it.’ Ans: He said that he had done it.

(8) She said, ‘He was talking .’ Ans: She said that he had been talking .

(9) The monk said , ‘Man will die .’ Ans: The monk said that man will die.

(10) He said , ‘The sun gives us light.’ Ans: He said that the sun gives us light.

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.

(4) “I know her address,” said Gopi. Ans: Gopi said that he knew her address.

(5) Ram said, “The earth is round.” Ans: Ram said that the Earth is round.

(6) “We planted it ourselves,” said the grandfather. Ans: The Gran Father said that they had planted it themselves.

(7) Debu said, “I have been playing rugby.” Ans: Debu said that he had been playing rugby.

(8) Purbasha said to me,” I am afraid of ghosts.” Ans: Purbasha told me that she was afraid of ghosts.

Exercise 3:

Turn the following sentences from direct Speech to indirect speech .

(1) The boys said , “It has been raining since morning. We cannot play today.” Ans: The boys said that it had been raining since morning so they could not play that day.

(2) Anjan’s mother said, “Your father has left for Mumbai.” Ans: Anjan’s mother said that my father had left for Mumbai.

(3) My teacher said , “Practice makes a man perfect.” Ans: My teacher said that practice makes a man perfect.

(4) He says, “I go to the temple every morning.” Ans: He says that he goes to the temple every morning.

(5) He said to me, “I will not get down from the bus.” Ans: He told me that he would not get off the bus.

(6) Rita says to Mita, “I will go with you.” Ans: Rita tells Mita that she w ill go with her.

(7) The boy said to his friend, “I went to school yesterday.” Ans: The boy told his friend that he had gone to school the previous day.

(8) You said, “I was right.” Ans: You said that you had been right.

(9) “I ‘ll go to the top,” said the young lady. Ans: The young lady said that she would go to the top.

(10) I ‘ ve got my rules,” the conductor said to me. Ans: The conductor told me that he had got his rules.

Pronouns in Direct and Indirect Speech: Exercises and Answers

Exercises and answers incorporating pronouns in direct and indirect speech facilitate learners’ understanding and application of pronoun changes in reported speech structures.

Exercise 4:

(1) You said, ‘ I never smoked.” Ans: You said that you never smoked.

(2) I said, ‘ I am always busy.” Ans: I said that I was alway busy

(3) I said to you , ‘ You look tired.” Ans: I said to you that you looked tired.

(4) You said to me , ‘ You are dependable.” Ans: You said to me that I was dependable.

(5) You said, “ He is right.” Ans: You said that he was right.

(6) I said, “ They will be late. Ans: I said that they w ould be late.

(7) He said to (Deep) , ‘ You told it so.” Ans: He said to Deep that he (Deep) had told it so.

(8) Mon said to Moon , “ You are naughty.” Ans: Mon said to Moon that she (Moon) was naughty.

Exercise 5:

Alter the narrative style from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) He said to me, “ I have done the job.” Ans: He told me that he had done the job.

(2) Rohit said, “ I was absent yesterday.” Ans: Rohit said that he (Rohit) had been absent the previous day.

(3) The boy said, “ My father died two years ago.” Ans: The boy said that his father had died two years before.

(4) He said, “ My goal is to climb Mt Everest. “ Ans: He said that his goal was to climb Mount Everest.

(5) “ I shall certainly do nothing of this kind”, the woman. Ans: The woman said that she would certainly do nothing of that kind.

(6) The man said, “ I am exhausted.” Ans: The man said that he was exhausted.

(7) He said, “ I am washing my hands.” Ans: He said that he was washing his hands.

(8) Mother bird said to her little ones, “Today I will teach you how to fly.” Ans: Mother bird told her little ones that that day, she would teach them how to fly.

(9) Rita’s father says. “ I have done this for you. Ans: Rita’s father says that he had done that for her.

(10) Sumana said to her sister, “ I want to play with you.” Ans: Sumana told her sister that she wanted to play with her.

Time and Place Expressions in Direct and Indirect Speech: Exercises and Answers

Exercises and answers on time and place expressions in direct and indirect speech aid learners in accurately conveying temporal and spatial information while mastering reported speech conventions.

Exercise 6:

Turn the following direct speech into indirect speech

(1) I said to you, “I wish to start business next year. “ Ans: I said to you that I wished to start business the following years.

(2) You said to them, “ Now I shall tell you a nice story.” Ans: You told them that then you would tell them a nice story.

(3) She said to him, “I bought the book yesterday. “ Ans: She told him that she had bought the book the previous day .

(4) He said to me, “I saw your sister two years ago . Ans: He told me that he had seen my sister two years before.

(5) He said to his son, “You may come with me tomorrow. Ans: He told his son that he (his son) might go with him the next day.

(6) He said to her, I’m talking to you now for your good.” Ans: He told her that he was talking to her then for her good.

(7) The girl said to me, My father died two years ago. “ Ans: The girl told me that her father died two years before.

Exception: But if ‘ now ‘, ‘ here ‘, ‘ this ‘ refer to things present before the speaker at the time of reporting, no change is needed.

(8) He said to me, ‘I have no friend here. ‘ Ans: He told me that he had no friend here.

(9) I said, ‘We cannot be happy in this world.’ Ans: I said that we cannot be happy in this world.

(10) She said, “ This is the house where I was born.” Ans: She said that this was the house where she was born.

Exercise 7:

Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(1) The boy said to his father, “I had my tiffin in school yesterday. “ Ans: The boy told his father that he had had his tiffin in school the previous day .

(2) The captain informed, “The tournament was postponed last year. “ Ans: The captain informed us that the tournament was postponed the previous year .

(3) She said, “We have been living here for two years.” Ans: She said that they had been living there for two years.

(4) Arnab said to Ajit,” I am happy today .” Ans: Arna told Ajit that he was happy that day.

(5) My friend said to me, “We went to the zoo yesterday. “ Ans: My friend told me that they had gone to the zoo the previous day.

(6) The clerk said, “I’ll do the work now. “ Ans: Clark said that he would do the work then.

(7) Hiten said to Mihir, “I received this letter yesterday. “ Ans: Hiten told me that he had received that letter the previous day.

(8) Rajib said to me. “I shall go to the picture today. “ Ans: Rajiv told me that he would go to the picture that day.

(9) He said, “We are very happy here. “ Ans: He said that they were very happy there.

(10) The farmer said, “I’ll sow the seeds now. “ Ans: The farmer said that he will show the seats then.

(12) The man said to me, “I received your gift yesterday. “ Ans: The man told me that he had received my gift the previous day.

(15) I said to my friend, “You were present in the class yesterday. “ Ans: I told my friend that he had been present in the class the previous day.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers of Assertive Sentences

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers focusing on assertive sentences enable learners to grasp the nuances of reporting statements confidently and accurately.

Exercise 8:

Transform the following direct speech into indirect speech

(1) My aunt said, ‘Every mother loves her child.’ Ans: My aunt said that every mother loves her child.

(2) Mon said to me, ‘I shall go, but you will stay.’ Ans: Mon told me that she would go but I should stay.

(3) He said to his father, ‘I shall always carry out your order.’ Ans: He told his father that he would always carry out his order.

(4) She said, ‘I sang a song at today’s function.’ Ans: She said that she had sung a song at today’s function.

(5) He said to me, ‘You are wicked, so I shall not mix with you.’ Ans: He told me that I was wicked, so he would not mix with me.

Exercise 9:

Change the following sentences converting the direct speeches into indirect speeches.

(1) The teacher said to the boy, “You have forgotten the lesson.” Ans: The teacher told the boy that he had forgotten the lesson.

(2) The boy said, “I shall go out and play.” Ans: The boy said that he would go out and play.

(3) He said, “I am happy to be here today.” Ans: He said that he was happy to be there that day.

(4) They said, “We shall play the game again tomorrow.” Ans: They said that they would play the game again the next day.

(5) The boy said, “Two and two make four.” Ans: The boy said that two and two make four.

Exercise 10:

Change the form of narration from indirect speech into direct speech.

(1) She told them that she had lost her books and theirs too. Ans : “I have lost my books and yours too”, she told them.

(2) The princess says that she has lost her way. Ans: The princess says, “I have lost my way.”

(3) They say that they must keep their locality clean. Ans: They say, “We must keep our locality clean.”

(4) The girl says that those books are theirs, but that one is hers. Ans: The girl says, “These books are theirs, but this one is mine.”

(5) The Happy prince said that he had led the dance in the Great Hall. Ans: The Happy Prince said, “I led the dance in the great hall.”

Interrogative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Engage with interrogative sentences through direct and indirect speech exercises and answers to sharpen your ability to convey questions effectively within different narrative frameworks.

Exercise 11:

(1) Mother said to her, ‘Are you feeling feverish?’ Ans: Mother inquired of her if she was feeling feverish.

(2) ‘Was it not a piece of luck?’ said Slavator. Ans: Salvtor wanted to know if that was not a piece of luck.

(3) The host said to me, ‘Have all the guests arrived?’ Ans: The host asked me whether all the guests had arrived.

(4) I said, ‘Do you know who will preside over the meeting?’ Ans: I asked whether he knew who would be presiding over the meeting.

(5) I said to the boy, ‘Did you pass the examination?’ Ans: I asked the boy if had passed the examination.

(6) She said to him, ‘Which of the books do you want to buy? Ans: She asked him which of the books he wanted to buy.

(7) The king said, ‘Who is not ready to due for his land, my countryman?’ Ans: The king asked his countrymen who was not ready to due for his land.

(8) He said to her, ‘Whose type writer are you using? Ans: He inquired of her whose type- writer she was using.

(9) The girl said to the strang ‘Whom do you want to see? Ans: The girl asked the stranger whom he wanted to see.

(10) The teacher said to the student, ‘Why are you late regularly? Ans: The teacher asked the student why he was late regularly.

Exercise 12:

Turn the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) Bulbuli said to her friend, “Will you come tomorrow?” Ans: Bulbuli asked her friend if she would on the next day.

(2) The policeman said to the stranger, “What are you looking for?” Ans: The police asked the stranger what he was looking for.

(3) Nikhil said to me, “Why do you look sad? Ans: Nikhil asked me why I looked sad.

(4) I said to her, “Did you take tea ?” Ans: I asked her if she had taken tea.

(5) The girl said to her mother, “Will you give me your bangles ?” Ans: The girl asked her mother if she would give her her bangles.

(6) Father said to me, “Why are you so upset?” Ans: Father asked me why I was so upset.

Exercise 13:

Change the following indirect speech into Direct speech.

(1) She asked me if I had called her. Ans: She said to me, “Did you call me ?”

(2) He asked me if I was writing a letter. Ans: He asked me, “Are you writing a letter ?”

(3) The man asked the child how he had got there. Ans: “How did you get here, child ?”, the man said.

(4) The police asked me if I could show my identity card. Ans: The police said to me, “Can you show your identity card ?”

(5) He asked us if we were attending the meeting that day. Ans: He said to us, “Are you attending the meeting today?”

(6) I asked her if she had taken medicine. Ans: I said to her, “Did you take medicine ?”

(7) Raja asked Dipu if he would go to school that day. Ans: Raja said to Dipu, “Will you go to school today?

Imperative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Master imperative sentences through direct and indirect speech exercises and answers, refining your skill in conveying commands and requests within diverse linguistic contexts.

Exercise 14:

Change the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) The teacher said, ‘Boys, go to your classes.’ Ans: The teacher ordered the boys to go to their classes.

(2) She said to him, ‘Please lend me your pen.’ Ans: She requested him to lend her his pen.

(3) The mother said to her son, ‘Wait here for me.’ Ans: The mother told her son to wait there for her.

(4) He said to me, ‘Go home at once.’ Ans: He advised me to go home at once.

(5) I said to my teacher, ‘Please explain the passage. Ans: I requested my teacher to explain the passage.

(6) The student said to the teacher, “Excuse me, sir.’ Ans: The student begged the teacher to excuse him.

(7) He said, ‘Friends, lend me your ears. Ans: Addressing them as friends, he requested them to lend him their ears.

Exercise 15:

(1) The teacher said to the students, “Keep quiet.” Ans: The teachers ordered the students to keep quiet.

(2) My teacher said to me. “Do not neglect your studies.” Ans: My teacher advised me not to neglect my studies.

(3) The man said to his son, “Always try to be honest.” Ans: The man advised it’s on to always try to be honest.

(4) Mother said to Raju, “Do not run in the sun.” Ans: Mother ordered Raju not to run in the sun.

(5) The man said to me, “Brother, please help me.” Ans: Addressing as a brother, the man requested me to help him.

(6) The students said, “Please allow us to play in the field.” Ans: The students requested to allow them to play on the field.

(7) He said to me, “Please give me some money.” Ans: He requested me to give him some money.

Exercise 16:

Change the following sentences from Indirect speech to Direct Speech of narration.

(1) He advised me not to waste my valuable time. Ans: He said to me, “Don’t waste your valuable time.”

(2) The grandson advised the children not to pluck flowers. Ans: The gardener said to the children, “Do not pluck flowers.”

(3) Tom forbade Sid to shake him. Ans: Tom said to Sid, “Don’t shake me.”

(4) The master ordered the servant to sort the door. Ans: The master said to the servant, “Shut the door.”

(5) The commander ordered the soldiers to stand at ease. Ans: The commander said to the soldiers, “Stand at ease.”

(6) Addressing as sethji, the vendor told him not to rob the poor. Ans: “Sethji, don’t rob the poor”, said the vendor.

(7) The doctor advised the patient to take proper vitamins to stay healthy. Ans: The doctor said to the patient, “Take proper vitamins to stay healthy.”

(8) The teacher ordered the students to do it then. Ans: The teacher said to the students, “Do it now.”

Direct and indirect speech Exercises and Answers with “Let”

Enhance your understanding of direct and indirect speech through exercises and answers featuring the usage of “let,” allowing you to effectively report permissions, suggestions, or proposals in various contexts

Exercise 17:

Change the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech mode of narration.

(1) He said to her, ‘Let us go out for a walk,’ Ans: He proposed to her that they should go out for a walk.

(2) Mon said to Mohan, ‘Let us dis- cuss the matter,’ Ans: Mon suggested to Mohan that they should discuss the matter.

(3) The chairman said, ‘Let us put the motion to vote. Ans: The chairman proposed that they should put the motion to vote.

(4) I said to her, ‘Let us have some music,’ Ans: I proposed to her that we should have some music.

(5) ‘Let us hurry or we may miss the bus,’ said he, Ans: He urged all to hurry or they might miss the bus.

(6) She said, ‘Let me come in.’ Ans: She requested that she might be allowed to come in.

(7) He said, ‘Let her say whatever she likes.’ Ans: He said that she might say whatever she liked.

(8) He said, ‘Let me have a cup of coffee.’ Ans: He wished that he might have a cup of coffee.

(9) The player said to the captain, ‘Let me have a chance, please.’ Ans: The player requested the captain to let him have a chance.

(10) I said, ‘Let him work ever so hard, he cannot win the prize.’ Ans: He said that the visitor might be allowed to wait outside.

Exercise 18:

(1) Rahim said, “Let us decide the matter together.” Ans: Rahim suggested that they should decide the matter together.

(2) The boy said to me, “Let us play cricket.” Ans: The boy proposed that they should play cricket.

(3) He said, “Let me go home.” Ans: He wished that he might go home.

(4) He said to me, “Let him say whatever he likes.” Ans: He wished me that he might say whatever he liked.

(5) He shouted, “Let me go out. Ans: He shouted at me to go out.

Exercise 19:

Change the following sentences from indirect speech to direct speech mode of narration.

(1) She proposed that they should go to the cinema. Ans: She said, “Let us go to the cinema.”

(2) He suggested that they should drop the matter. Ans: He said, “Let us drop the matter”

(3) They suggested that they should make him give them their fears back. Ans: “Let’s make him give us our fares back,” they said.

(4) Shabnam proposed Chandni that they should go for a walk. Ans: “Let us go for a walk.” said Shabnam to Chandni.

(5) The leader suggested that they should hold a meeting the next day. Ans: The leader said, “Let’s hold a meeting tomorrow.”

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers of Optative Sentences

Practice direct and indirect speech with exercises and answers focusing on optative sentences, enabling you to accurately report wishes, prayers, or blessings while honing your linguistic proficiency.

Exercise 20:

Change the following from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.

(1) Mother said, ‘May you be happy.’ Ans: Mother wished that I might be happy.

(2) He said to you, ‘May God bless you.’ Ans: He prayed that God might bless you.

(3) She said, ‘Had I been there!’ Ans: She wished that she had been there.

(4) He said to me, ‘May you succeed.’ Ans: He wished that I might succeed.

(5) They said, ‘Long live the leader.’ Ans: They prayed that the leader might live long.

(6) He said to me, ‘May your mother recover soon. Ans: He wished that my mother might recover soon.

(7) The monk said, ‘May peace prevail.’ Ans: The monk hoped that peace would prevail.

(8) The boy siad, ‘Had I the wings of a bird.’ Ans: The boy wished that he could have the wings of a bird.

Exercise 21:

(1) I said to him, “May you be happy.” Ans: I wished that he might be happy.

(2) Mother said to me, “May God bless you.” Ans: Mother prayed that God might bless me.

(3) He said, “May his soul rest in peace.” Ans: He prayed that his soul might rest in peace.

(4) The girl said, “Oh, had I the wings of a dove.” Ans: The girl wished that she could have the wings of a dove.

(5) I said to him, “May you live long.” Ans: I wished him that he might live long.

Exercise 22:

Change the following from Indirect Speech to Direct Speech.

(1) Nilima wished me that I might recover soon. Ans: Nilima said to me, “May you recover soon.”

(2) Mother wished him that God might grant him a long life. Ans : Mother said to him, “May God grant you a long life.”

(3) The holy man wished that peace might prevail. Ans: The holy man said, “May peace prevail.”

(4) She wished that Mother Teresa might recover from illness soon. Ans: She said, “May Mother Teresa recover from illness soon.”

(5) He wished that he could bring his departed friend back to life. Ans: He said, “Oh, if I could bring my departed friend back to life.”

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises of Exclamatory Sentences

Engage in direct and indirect speech exercises focusing on exclamatory sentences to refine your ability in reporting strong emotions or exclamations accurately within different narrative frameworks.

Exercise 23:

(1) The supporters said, ‘Hurrah! we have won?’ Ans: The supporter exclaimed in joy that they had won.

(2) The girl said, ‘How wonderful love is!’ Ans: The girl exclaimed in joy that love is wonderful.

(3) The teacher said, ‘Bravo! Well done!’ Ans: The teacher applauded his students by saying that they had done well.

(4) ‘Alas! I am undone’, said the women. Ans: They women cried out in sorrow that she was undone.

(5) He said, ‘Good bye, my friends !’ Ans: He bade his friends good bye.

(6) The old man said to the youth, ‘Fie! You are such a coward.’ Ans: The old man exclaimed that it was shameful for the youth to be such a coward.

(7) ‘How dirty the house is!’ he observed. Ans: He exclaimed in irritation that the house was very dirty.

(8) ‘Good God! I am saved’, said he. Ans: He exclaimed in the name of merciful God that he was saved.

Exercise 24:

(1) The boys triumphantly said, “Hurrah! We have won the match.” Ans: The boys exclaimed in joy that they had won the match.

(2) The old man said to the girl, “May you be happy !” Ans: The old man wished the girl that she might be happy.

(3) He said, “What good news!” Ans: He exclaimed in joy that it was very good news.

(4) The children said, “How happy we were there!” Ans: The children gloomily said that they had been very happy there.

(5) He said to you. “May God bless you.” Ans: He wished you that God might bless you.

(6) My friend said to me. “What a fool you are!” Ans: My friend exclaimed in despair that she was a big fool.

Exercise 25:

(1) Piyali exclaimed in sorrow that she had lost her phone. Ans: “Alas! I have lost my phone”, said Piyali.

(2) Mother wished Roy that his dreams might come true. Ans: Mother said to Roy, “May your dreams come true.”

(3) The girl exclaimed that she had been very sensible. Ans: How insensible I have been!”, said the girl.

(4) The girl exclaimed in sorrow that she had torn her frock. Ans: The girl said, “Oh dear! I have torn my frock.”

(5) She exclaimed in sorrow that she was undone. Ans: She said, “Alas! I am undone.”

(6) They wished me happy birthday. Ans: They said to me. “Happy birthday!”

(7) The students bade their teacher good morning. Ans: “Good morning, Madam!”, said the students to the teacher.

Practice Worksheet for Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

A . Change the following into reported speech .

1. Rita says, “Kishore sang a song”.

2. The saint said, “Man is mortal”

3. You said, “we are learning our lesson’.

4. He said to me, “My father went to Mumbai last week.

5. I said to her, “Are you leaving tonight?”

6. He said to her, “Can you lend me your umbrella?”

7. She said, “I saw a tiger here’.

8. The principal said, “well done! my boys”.

9. She said, “Let them play.”

10. I said to Harsh, “Please help me.”

B. Change the direct speech into Indirect Speech

1. He asked me, “Where has he gone?”

2. The Prime Minister said, “National Integrity will be preserved at all costs.

3. She said, “My uncle came yesterday.”

4. Sheela said to us, “You must work hard.”

5. They said, “We trust in God.”

6. The officer said to him. “You will be dismissed if you do not attend the office in time.'”

7. He said to me “I am reading a book.”

8. He said, “Thanks for reminding me.’

9. She said,” Keep this room open.’

10. I said to him, “I went there on Tuesday.”

C. Choose the correct option .

1. I advised him ____________ it.

(a) to not do

(b) not to do

2. She told me ____________ careful.

3. She asked me if I ____________ my lunch.

(b) have eaten

4. She asked me ____________ going to the movies

(a) that I was

(b) if was I

5. The dentist suggested ____________ get a new toothbrush.

(b) that I should

6. She said that no one ____________ me

7. He asked me ____________ to deserve such a cruel punishment.

(a) what had he done

(b) what he had done

8. He promised he ____________ do it by the end of the week.

9. She said that ____________ me before.

(a) she hadn’t met

(b) she did not meet

10. I requested her____________ me.

(b) to help

D. Complete the sentences in the reported speech.

1. The girl said that it ___________ to be there that evening.

(a) gave her great pleasure

(b) gives her great pleasure

2. The man said that he ___________ as soon as possible.

(a) must go

(b) had gone

3. She said that she ___________ to se any of them.

(a) does not want

(b) did not want

4. The teacher says that if you work hard you ___________

(a) would pass

(b) will pass

5. He said that he ___________

(b) has won

6. He proposed that they ___________ for her return.

(a) shall wait

(b) will wait

7. Alice exclaimed how clever ___________

(a) she was

(b) was she

8. The young man asked which way she ___________

(a) has gone

9. He asked me where ___________ going.

10. She requested them to wait there till she ___________

(a) returns

(b) returned

E. Complete the sentence in the reported speech.

1. Ravi said, “I love this place”.

Ravi said _______________

2. “Do you like football?” He asked me.

He asked me_______________

3. “I can’t drive a lorry”, he said.

He said _______________

4. “Be nice to your brother”, he said

He asked me _______________

5. “Don’t be nasty, “he said

He urged me _______________

6. “Don’t waste your money “she said,

She told the boys _______________

7. “What have you decided to do? “she asked

him. She asked him _______________

8. “I always wake up early”. he said,

He said_______________

9. “You should revise your lessons’, he said,

He advised the students _______________

10. “Where have you been? “he asked me

He wanted to know _______________

F. Complete the sentence in the reported speech.

1. She said, “I went to cinema yesterday,”

She said _______________

2. You said, “I will do this for him.”

You said _______________

3. He said, “I am writing a test tomorrow,

4. She said, “I am not hungry now”,

5. They said, “We have never been here before.”

They said _______________

6. They said, “We were in London last week.”

7. He said, “They won’t sleep.”

8. “Have you been shopping?” he asked us.

9. She said, “It is very quiet here.

10. “I don’t speak Italian”, she said.

She said_______________

G. Read the dialogue and complete the following passage.

Susan: Why have you not brought my party dress? Jenny: I haven’t brought it because I had gone to my uncle’s house with my parents, so I forgot to keep it. Susan: Don’t give me silly excuses. I want to know the truth. Jenny: I am sorry Susan. I was chatting with my friends till late. I forgot that you needed it urgently today.

Susan asked Jenny (a) …………… Jenny said that she (b) …………… . Susan (c) …………… . Jenny said that she was sorry and further added that she was chatting with her friends till late and she had forgotten that Jenny needed it urgently that day.

H. Read the following conversation and complete the passage that follows.

Dilip: I’ve been watching the sea and there hasn’t been any trace of a ship. Ralph: I told you yesterday too that we’ll be rescued, so have patience. Dilip: Why do you ask me to keep quiet whenever I say something? Ralph: Have you ever said anything sensible?

Dilip said (a) ………… . Ralph replied (b) ………… and so asked him to have patience. Dilip angrily asked Ralph (c) ………… to which Ralph wanted to know (d) …………

Direct and Indirect Speech Answers Key

1. Rita says that Kishore sang a song.

2. The saint said that the man is mortal.

3. You said that you were learning your lesson.

4. He hold me that his father had gone to Mumbai the previous week.

5. I asked her if she was leaving that night.

6. He asked her if she could lend him her umbrella.

7. She said that she had seen a tiger there.

8. The principal exclaimed with applause that the boys had done well.

9. She suggested that they should be allowed to play.

10. I requested Harsh to help me.

1. He asked me where he had gone.

2. The Prime Minister declared that the National Integrity would be preserved at all costs.

3. She said that her uncle had come the previous day.

4. Sheela told us that we must work hard.

5. They said that they trusted in God.

6. The officer warned him that he would be dismissed

if he did not attend the office in time.

7. He told me that he was reading a book.

8. He thanked me for reminding him.

9. She ordered to keep that room open.

10. I told him that I had gone there on Tuesday.

1. (b) not to do

2. (b) to be

3. (c) had eaten

4. (c) if I was

5. (b) that I should

6. (c) had called

7. (b) what he had done

8. (b) would

9. (a) she hadn’t met

10. (b) to help

D. Complete the sentences in reported speech.

1. (a) gave her great pleasure.

2. (a) must go

3. (b) did not want

4. (b) will pass

5. (c) had won

6. (c) should wait

7. (a) she was

8. (b) had gone

9. (a) I was

10. (b) returned

E. Complete the sentence in reported speech.

1. that he loved that place

2. whether I liked football

3. that he couldn’t drive a lorry

4. to be nice to my brother

5. not to be nasty

6. not to waste their money

7. what he had decided to do

8. that he always wake up early

9. to revise their lessons

10. where I had been

F. Complete the sentence in reported speech.

1. that she had gone to cinema the previous day.

2. that you would do that for him.

3. that he will be writing a test the next day.

4. that she was not hungry then.

5. that they had never been there before.

6. that they had been in London the previous week.

7. that they wouldn’t sleep.

8. whether we had been shopping.

9. that it was very quiet there.

10. that she didn’t speak Italian.

G. Read the dialogue and complete the following passage

(a) why she had not brought her party dress

(b) hadn’t brought it as she had gone to her uncle’s house with her parents; so she had forgotten to keep it

(a) that he had been watching the sea and that there had not been any trace of a ship

(b) that he had told him the day before that they would be rescued

(d) if he had ever said anything sensible

FAQs on Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Q: what’s the purpose of the indirect speech.

A: Indirect speech allows us to convey someone else’s words without quoting them verbatim. It’s useful for summarizing and paraphrasing.

Q: Are tense changes mandatory in indirect speech?

A: Yes, tense changes are often necessary to accurately reflect the timing of the original statement.

Q: Can reporting verbs be used interchangeably?

A: While reporting verbs can be interchangeable to some extent, their nuances can impact the meaning of the reported speech.

Q: Is it possible to transform any direct speech into indirect speech?

A: Yes, most direct speech can be converted into indirect speech, although some cases may require adjustments.

Q: How can I identify indirect speech in a sentence?

A: Look for keywords like “said,” “asked,” or other reporting verbs, as well as changes in pronouns, tenses, and time expressions.

Q: Why is mastering direct and indirect speech important?

A: Mastering these skills enhances communication clarity, adds variety to language use, and fosters effective expression.

Conclusion:

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers are invaluable tools for effective communication. By honing this skill, you’ll not only convey information accurately but also showcase your language expertise. Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you engage in these exercises, the more naturally you’ll incorporate them into your everyday language use.

Home of English Grammar

Direct and indirect speech

Change into indirect speech

1. John said, ‘I am trying to find a new job.’

2. He said, ‘I wrote a letter.’

3. The girl said, ‘I want something to eat.’

4. The teacher said, ‘Stop writing.’

5. The man said, ‘I have nowhere to go.’

6. The girl said, ‘I have been practicing the violin for six months.’

7. Mother said, ‘I have laid the table.’

8. He said, ‘Who are you?’

9. He said, ‘Are you happy here?’

10. The father said to his son, ‘Go and pay your fee at once.’

11. He said, ‘Let’s go for a drive.’

1. John said that he was trying to find a new job.

2. He said that he had written a letter.

3. The girl said that she wanted something to eat.

4. The teacher asked them to stop writing.

5. The man said that he had nowhere to go. / The man lamented that he had nowhere to go.

6. The girl said that she had been practicing the violin for six months.

7. Mother said that she had laid the table.

8. He asked who I was.

9. He enquired if I was happy there?’

10. The father told his son to go and pay his fee at once.

11. He suggested going for a drive. / He suggested that we should go for a drive.

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, Rules, Chart and Exercises

Direct and Indirect speech are ways of narrating the speech of someone to some other person following certain rules. This article covers its types, rules, examples and some exercises on the same.

Table of Contents

Direct and Indirect Speech: In English Grammar, direct and Indirect speech are used in instances when we wish to repeat or convey a speech or statement of some other person. Both direct and indirect speech describes what a third person said or conveyed in the past. Indirect speech is more commonly employed unless it’s a direct quotation, which is consistently enclosed in double quotation marks. Whereas indirect speech is used when you want to convey someone’s statement using your own precise words. It’s worth highlighting that indirect speech is consistently expressed using verbs like “said,” “told,” or “asked.”

Direct and Indirect Speech

There are two types of reported speech in English grammar, they are Direct and Indirect speech. Both speech conveys the speech or statement which was told by some other person. To explain any event, action or scenario we generally convey the sentences quoted by someone in the form of direct and indirect speech. In order to clearly differentiate and make people understand easily, we have detailed the two types of reported speech with examples and exercises below.

Direct Speech

Direct speech is the mode of expression that directly presents the words spoken or quoted by a third person. Generally, direct speech is written inside quotation marks (“”). The quotation is used to differentiate the speech of the third person that has happened in the past. Thus direct speech conveys statements or conversations of someone in the past tense but quoted inside the quotation marks in the present or future tense.

Kiran said, “I am doing my work.”
They said, ” We will go for the function.”
He asked, “Can I make this?”

Indirect Speech

Indirect Speech is used when we convey what someone said in our own words without repeating the actual text of that person. Instead of using quotation marks, the conjunction word, ‘that’ is used. Thus speaker’s words and sentences are reframed into our own words in Indirect speech. Some examples of indirect speech are:

Direct speech: Kiran said, “I am doing my work.”
Indirect speech: Kiran said that she is doing her work.
Direct speech: They said, ” We will go for the function.”
Indirect speech: They said that they would go to the function.
Direct speech: He asked, “Can I make this?”
Indirect speech: He asked whether he can make that.

Rules for Direct and Indirect Speech

There are certain rules and regulations followed while converting a simple direct speech into indirect speech. Certain factors such as Verbs, Tenses, Modals, time, place, and pronouns are also considered while changing. The following are the rules applied when you convert direct speech to indirect speech in English grammar.

Rule-1 : Direct To Indirect Speech Conversion – Reporting Verb

The reporting verb is an important factor to note when changing a direct to an indirect sentence. When the reporting verb is past tense, then the verb inside the quotation is also changed to past when changing a sentence from direct to indirect speech. Examples:

Direct: He said,’ I am sad.’
Indirect: He said that he was sad.

An exception is for cases like a universal truth, the tenses remain the same.

Teena said” The sun rises in the east”.
Teena said that the sun rises in the east.

If the reporting verb is in present/future tense, then the tense remains the same as in direct speech.

Direct: She says/will say, ‘I am coming.’
Indirect: She says/will say she is coming.

Rule 2: Direct Speech to Indirect Speech Conversion – Tenses

If the sentences inside quotes in direct speech are present tense, it is changed to past tense when changed to indirect speech. The rule in the following table is applied while changing tenses from direct speech to reported speech.



Present Simple Tense do /does V1	Past Simple Tense did + V1 V2
Present Progressive Tense is/am/are + V4	Past Progressive Tense was /were + V4
Present Perfect Tense has /have + V3	Past Perfect Tense had + V3
Present Perfect Progressive has been /have been + V4	Past Perfect Progressive had been + V4
Past Simple Tense did + V1 V2	Past Perfect Tense had + V3
Past Perfect Tense had/have + V3	Past Perfect Tense had + V3
Past Perfect Progressive had been/have been + V4	Past Perfect Progressive had been + V4
Future Simple Tense will + V1	would + V1
Future Progressive Tense will be + V4	would be + V4
Future Perfect Tense will have + V3	would have + V3
Future Perfect Progressive will have been + V4	would have been + V4

Examples of change in Tenses


Ram said, “I do my work.”	Ram said that he did his work.
They said, “We are going now.”	They said that they were going then.
Sara said, ” I have done my work.”	Sara said that she had done her work.
Rohit said, “I have been doing my work.”	Rohit said that he had been doing his work.
Ram said, “I did my work”	Ram said that he had done his work.
They said,”We have done our work”	They said that they had done their work.
They said, “We have been doing our work.”	They said that they had been doing their work.
Ram Said, ” I had been doing my work.”	Ram said that he had been doing his work.
Sara said, “I will do my work.”	Sara said that she would do her work.
They said, “We will be going out.”	They said that they would be going out.
They said, “We will have done this work.”	They said that they would have done that work.
Ram said, “I will have been doing this work”	Ram said that he would have been doing that work.

Rule 4: Direct to Indirect speech Conversion Interrogative sentences

If a sentence starts with a question word like what, when, and why in direct speech, the question word itself acts as the joining class.

Direct speech: “Where do you live ?” Asked the boy.
Indirect Speech: The boy enquired where I lived.

Rule 5: Direct to Indirect Speech Conversion Change in Modals

Modal verbs are those verbs that are preceded by another verb, which is the main verb. Can, May, and Must are some examples of Modals. Modals that won’t change are Could, would, should, ought to, might. While changing direct to indirect speech, the Modals change as below:

Can become could
May becomes Might
Must becomes had to (or) would have to
Direct: She said,” She can sing.”
Indirect: She said that she could sing.
Direct: She said,” I should cook the lunch”
Indirect: She said that she should cook the lunch.

Rule 6: Direct to Indirect speech conversion – pronoun

The first person in Direct speech changes as per the subject of the speech

Direct: He said, “I am in grade sixth.”
Indirect: He said that he was in grade sixth.

The second person of Direct speech changes as per the object of the indirect speech.

Direct: She says to them, “You have achieved your goal.”
Indirect: She tells them that they have achieved their goal.

If the third person is mentioned in the Direct speech, it does not change in reported speech.

Direct: He says, “She sings well.”
Indirect: He says that she sings well.

Rule 7: Direct to indirect speech conversion – Request, Command, Wish and Exclamation.

The imperative words in direct speech change into Infinitives in indirect speech.

Direct: She said to her ‘Please remove it’.
Indirect: She requested her to remove that.

Exclamation

Direct: She said, ‘Alas! I am undone.
Indirect: She exclaimed sadly that she was broke.

Rule 8: Direct to indirect speech conversion – punctuations

In Direct speech, the words spoken must start with(“) and ends with(.) inside the double inverted commas. All symbols such as question marks, full stops or exclamatory marks should be placed inside the quotes.

They said. “We are the best”
She asked, “Can I come with You?”
He uttered, “Keep Quiet!”

Rule 9: Direct to indirect speech conversion – Change of time

While converting direct speech to Indirect speech, there are certain words to be noted that cannot be used as such in indirect speech. These words get modified into new words which are enlisted below:

Now becomes Then
Ago becomes before
Thus becomes So
Today becomes That day
Tomorrow becomes the next day
Yesterday becomes the day before
This becomes that
These become those
Come becomes go
Hence becomes thence
Next week or next month becomes the following week or month
Direct: He says/will say, ‘My girlfriend came yesterday.’
Indirect: He says/will say that his girlfriend had come the day before.

Rules for Converting Indirect Speech into Direct Speech:

The following rules should be followed while converting an indirect speech to direct speech:

Use the reporting verb such as (say, said to) in its correct
Put a comma before the statement and the first letter of the statement should be in capital
Insert question marks, quotation marks, exclamation marks and full stops, based on the mood of the
Remove the conjunctions like (that, too, if or wh ether) wherever necessary .
Where the reporting verb is in the past tense in indirect, change it to present tense in the direct
Change the past perfect tense either into the present perfect tense or past tense, as necessary .

Direct and Indirect Speech – Some Exercises

The following are some exercises that students can practice while preparing for their revision tests or board exams.

Q.1. Find out the correct indirect speech for the given sentence.

She said,’ I have cooked this meal.’

She said that she cooked this meal
She said that she had cooked that meal.
She said that I cooked that meal.
She said that she had cooked this meal.

Answer (2) She said that she had cooked that meal.

Q.2. Choose the correct sentence.

Sanjay said, ‘What a beautiful painting it is’.

Sanjay exclaimed wonderfully that the painting was very beautiful.
Sanjay exclaimed with wonder that the painting was very beautiful.

Answer (4) Sanjay exclaimed with wonder that the painting was very beautiful.

Q.3. The correct indirect speech for She asked, “What is the cost of these books?”

She enquired what was the cost of those books.
She inquired what was the cost of these books.
She enquired what is the cost of those books.
She questioned what was the cost of those books.

Answer (1) She enquired what was the cost of those books.

Q.4. The man said, ‘Oh God! I missed the train today.’

The man cried that he missed the train that day.
The man exclaimed in grief that he missed the train today.
The man said that oh God! he missed that day.
The man exclaimed with sorrow that he missed the train that day.

Answer (4) The man exclaimed with sorrow that he missed the train that day.

Q.5. Rahul said, “Can you call me back later?”

Answer (5) Rahul asked me if I could call him back later.

Q.6. Mom said to me, “May God Bless you”.

Answer (6) Mom wished that God might bless me.

What is the Importance of Learning Direct and Indirect Speech?

Learning direct and indirect speech is crucial for several reasons:

Improved Communication Skills: Understanding both forms helps in accurately conveying messages from one person to another. This skill is essential in both written and spoken communication.
Enhanced Writing Abilities: Using direct and indirect speech allows for more dynamic and versatile writing. It enables writers to present dialogues and reported speech effectively.
Better Understanding of Language Nuances: Mastery of direct and indirect speech helps learners grasp the subtleties of language, including tone, context, and perspective.
Critical Thinking: Converting statements from direct to indirect speech (or vice versa) requires comprehension and analysis of the original message, fostering critical thinking.
Effective Reporting: In fields like journalism, law, and academia, accurately reporting speech is vital. Mastery of both forms ensures precision and reliability in conveying information.

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Direct and Indirect speech-FAQs

Q1. what are direct and indirect speech in english.

Ans. Direct speech is a speech that describes what a third person has conveyed or quoted in a direct manner. Generally, direct speech is written inside quotation marks ("").Indirect Speech is used when we convey what someone said in our own words without repeating the actual text of that person.

Q2. In which speech conjunctions are used and what is the purpose?

Ans. The conjunctions are used in Indirect speech. The speaker's words and sentences are reframed into our own words in Indirect speech using conjuctions as connecting words.

Q3. What are modals and what is the significance of using modals?

Ans. Modal verbs are those verbs that are preceded by another verb, which is the main verb. Can, May, and Must are some examples of Modals. While converting direct to indirect speech Can becomes could, May becomes Might, Will becomes Would. Modals that won’t change are Could, would, should, ought to, might.

Q4 Give a few examples of direct speech.

Ans: Some examples of direct speech have been discussed here: 1. John said, "I will go to the store." 2. Mary asked, "Are you coming to the party?" 3. "It's a beautiful day," remarked Sarah. 4. He shouted, "Watch out for the car!"

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Direct and Indirect Speech Class 7 - PDF

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Ahoy, word explorers! Are you ready to dive into the magical realm where sentences transform and words play dress-up? Yes? Then buckle up! We're on a quest to unravel the mysteries of Direct and Indirect Speech.

What is Direct and Indirect Speech?

Imagine you're watching a epic play onstage. Direct Speech is when characters blurt out their feelings and thoughts exactly as they bubble up, quotation marks and all. It's like reading a text message directly from your friend. Indirect Speech, on the other hoof (because, why not imagine a world where unicorns are part of our daily commute?), is a storyteller’s craft. It's recounting what was said, not word for word, but with a twist, keeping the essence intact.

Why juggle between the two, you ask? Ah, my curious friend, variety is the spice of life! Direct Speech adds drama and flavour, showing emotions and reactions in real time. Indirect Speech gives us the scoop without all the dramatics, perfect for summaries or when you're giving the lowdown on the latest school gossip.

Examples

Direct: Max exclaimed, "This is the most fantastical unicorn I've ever seen!" Indirect: Max exclaimed that it was the most fantastical unicorn he had ever seen.

Rules for Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech

Pronouns Change: Just like swapping costumes, "I" might become "he" or "she," depending on who is speaking. Tense Shifts: If we're talking in the past, we keep sliding down that timeline. "This is" becomes "that was." Question Mark No More: If it’s a question, we transform it into a statement, turning the interrogative dance into a declarative march.

Rules for Changing Modal Auxiliaries in Indirect Speech

Our magical helpers like "can," "will," or "may" also get a makeover. "Can" becomes "could," "will" turns into "would," and so on. They age gracefully into their past forms, carrying the essence of possibility into the narrative.

Rules for Changing Expressions of Time

Time travelers, take note! "Today" turns into "that day," "now" becomes "then," and "tomorrow" shifts to "the next day." We’re essentially taking a leap through the pages of a calendar.

Direct to Indirect Speech – Types of Sentences

Whether it's a statement, a fiery question, an exclamatory surprise, or a command, each sentence type dances from Direct to Indirect in its unique style. The essence remains, though the steps may vary.

Examples of changing from Direct to Indirect Speech

Statement: Direct: "I love chocolate," she said. Indirect: She said that she loved chocolate.

Question: Direct: "Are you going to the wizard's ball?" he asked. Indirect: He asked if I was going to the wizard's ball.

Command: Direct: "Please bring me that book," asked Belle. Indirect: Belle asked to bring her that book.

Exclamation: Direct: "What a magnificent dragon!" exclaimed George. Indirect: George exclaimed that it was a magnificent dragon.

So, dear adventurers, as we draw the curtains on today’s linguistic odyssey, remember that the magic of language lies in its fluidity and grace. Direct or Indirect, each speech has its charm, painting our conversations with the colors of clarity, emotion, and nuance.

Till our paths cross again in the land of learning, keep your minds curious, your words whimsical, and your sentences sparkling with the joy of discovery.

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Direct and Indirect speech Class 7 English Grammar Worksheet

Hello Students, welcome to Net Explanations. In this page we have posted some Direct and Indirect speech Class 7 English Grammar Worksheet Extra Questions Answers.

Answer: She will say that he loves her.

Answer: He says that she is a liar.

Answer: She tells me that she is a pilot.

Answer: Brother said to me that the air has weight.

Direct and Indirect speech Class 7 Worksheet 2

Direct and Indirect speech sentence

1.) Shiva said “ Vishnu is a businessman”.

3.) Sharika has said “I cannot displease my friend”.

Answer: I shall say that I had gone to see a movie on Tuesday.

Answer: They said that he was writing a book.

9.) She said “ It may be bright and sunny”.

grade 7 english grammar direct and indirect speech

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Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 17 Direct and Indirect Speech

Class 7 English Grammar Chapter 17 Direct and Indirect Speech with Examples

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Rules for changing direct speech into indirect speech

Exception to Rule

More to Know

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 7 CBSE With Answers

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 7 CBSE With Answers PDF

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises Solved Example With Answers for Class 7 CBSE

Direct And Indirect Speech Worksheet For Class 7

Basic rules for indirect speech

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Direct and Indirect Speech: Useful Rules and Examples

Direct and Indirect Speech

Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech

Change of Pronouns

Change of Tenses

Change of Time and Place References

Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech

Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks

Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker

Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb

Step 4: Change the Pronouns

Converting Indirect Speech Into Direct Speech

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct Speech Examples

Indirect Speech Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

English 7 Quarter 1 – Module 6: Direct and Reported Speeches

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Direct and indirect speech worksheet for class 7

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Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Converting Direct to Indirect Speech

1. Eliminate the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text.

2. Retain the tense of the reporting verb and add the word “that” after it.

3. Change the tense of the verb in the reported speech, if needed.

4. Change the pronouns accordingly.

Tense Changes in Indirect Speech

Verb Tenses Changes

Other Verb Form Changes in Reported Speech

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