7.1 Direct Speech
Direct Speech reproduces the speaker's exact words.
The spoken words are enclosed within quotation marks (" ").
Structure
Reporting Verb + Comma + "Exact Words"
Examples
She said, "I am tired."
He said, "I will come tomorrow."
7.2 Indirect Speech
Indirect Speech reports the speaker's words without quoting them exactly.
Quotation marks are omitted, and the sentence is rewritten in a different form.
Structure
Subject + Reporting Verb + that/if/whether + Clause
Examples
She said that she was tired.
He said that he would come the next day.
7.3 Important Changes in Indirect Speech
When changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech, four main changes usually occur.
A. Change of Tense
The tense generally shifts one step back when the reporting verb is in the past tense.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| Past Simple | Past Perfect |
| Will | Would |
| Can | Could |
| Shall | Should |
Examples
"She is happy." → He said that she was happy.
"I will help you." → He said that he would help me.
No Tense Change
The tense remains unchanged when the sentence expresses:
A universal truth
A scientific fact
A habitual fact
Example
Direct: He said, "The sun rises in the east."
Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.
B. Change of Pronouns
Pronouns change according to:
the speaker
the listener
the context
Examples
Direct: She said, "I am ready."
Indirect: She said that she was ready.
Direct: He said to me, "You are late."
Indirect: He told me that I was late.
C. Change of Time and Place Expressions
| Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|
| now | then |
| today | that day |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| yesterday | the previous day |
| here | there |
| this | that |
| these | those |
Example
Direct: He said, "I will come tomorrow."
Indirect: He said that he would come the next day.
D. Removal of Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are removed in Indirect Speech.
The conjunction that is commonly used in statements, although it may sometimes be omitted in informal English.
7.4 Changing Different Types of Sentences
A. Statements (Assertive Sentences)
Use that after the reporting verb.
Example
Direct: She said, "I am happy."
Indirect: She said that she was happy.
B. Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
Do not use question word order.
Use if or whether for Yes/No questions.
Retain WH-words for WH-questions.
Examples
Direct: He said, "Are you ready?"
Indirect: He asked if I was ready.
Direct: She said, "Where are you going?"
Indirect: She asked where I was going.
C. Commands and Requests (Imperative Sentences)
Use reporting verbs such as told, asked, ordered, requested, followed by to + verb.
Examples
Direct: He said, "Open the door."
Indirect: He told me to open the door.
Direct: She said, "Please help me."
Indirect: She requested me to help her.
Direct: He said, "Don't run."
Indirect: He told me not to run.
D. Exclamatory Sentences
Use suitable reporting verbs like exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, or exclaimed with surprise.
Examples
Direct: She said, "What a beautiful day!"
Indirect: She exclaimed with joy that it was a beautiful day.
Direct: He said, "Alas! I failed."
Indirect: He exclaimed with sorrow that he had failed.
E. Wishes and Prayers (Optative Sentences)
Use reporting verbs such as wished, prayed, or hoped.
Example
Direct: He said, "May you succeed!"
Indirect: He wished that I might succeed.
7.5 Reporting Verbs
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| said | said that |
| said to | told |
| asked a question | asked |
| gave an order | ordered / told |
| made a request | requested |
7.6 Important Points to Remember
✔ Remove quotation marks.
✔ Change the pronouns correctly.
✔ Change the tense where necessary.
✔ Modify time and place expressions.
✔ Rewrite the sentence in the correct structure.
✔ Choose an appropriate reporting verb.
7.7 Common Mistakes
Incorrect
❌ She said that I am tired.
Correct
✔ She said that she was tired.
Incorrect
❌ He told that he will come.
Correct
✔ He said that he would come.
Incorrect
❌ She asked that where I was going.
Correct
✔ She asked where I was going.
Quick Conversion Guide
Statement → said that
Question → asked if / whether / WH-word
Command → told to
Request → requested to
Negative Command → told not to
Practice Exercise
A. Change into Indirect Speech
She said, "I am reading a book."
He said to me, "You are my best friend."
They said, "We will visit the museum tomorrow."
B. Change into Direct Speech
He said that he was tired.
She told me that she had finished her homework.
C. Change the Questions
He said to me, "Are you coming to the party?"
She said, "Where do you live?"
D. Change the Commands
The teacher said, "Complete your work on time."
He said to me, "Please help me with this task."
E. Change the Exclamation
She said, "What a wonderful performance!"
Answer Key
She said that she was reading a book.
He told me that I was his best friend.
They said that they would visit the museum the next day.
He said, "I am tired."
She said to me, "I have finished my homework."
He asked me if I was coming to the party.
She asked where I lived.
The teacher told the students to complete their work on time.
He requested me to help him with that task.
She exclaimed with joy that it was a wonderful performance.
1.PARTS OF SPEECH 2. SENTENCE STRUCTURE 3.TENSES 4.SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT 5.ARTICLES AND DETERMINERS 6.VOICE-ACTIVE & PASSIVE 7.DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH 8.PUNCTUATION 9.CLAUSES AND PHRASES 10.MODALS