Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct and indirect speech are two ways to report what someone has said.
1. Direct Speech
The exact words of the speaker are quoted.
Quotation marks (" ") are used.
Example:
She said, "I am happy."
He asked, "Where are you going?"
2. Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
* The speaker's words are reported without using quotation marks.
* The tense may change depending on the reporting verb.
* Pronouns and time expressions may also change.
Example:
She said that she was happy.
He asked where I was going.
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Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech
Rule 1. Change the tense (if the reporting verb is in the past):
* Present simple → Past simple
Direct: "I like coffee", She said
Indirect: She said she liked coffee.
* Present continuous → Past continuous
Direct: He said, "I am reading a book."
→ Indirect: He said he was reading a book.
* Present perfect - past perfect
Direct: Rakesh said, "l have completed my homework"
Indirect: Rakesh said that he had completed his homework
* Present perfect continuous tense- past perfect continuous tense
Direct:
Teacher said,"I have been living at Navapur since 19 97."
Indirect:
Teacher said that she had been living at Navapur since 1997.
* Past simple → Past perfect
Direct: "I ate an apple." → Indirect: She said she had eaten an apple.
Rule 2. Change pronouns (according to context):
Pronouns must be changed to match the perspective of the reporting speech.
Direct: "I will call you."
Indirect: He said he would call me.
Direct: He said, "You are my best friend."
Indirect: He said that I was his best friend.
Rule 3. Change time and place words:
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day
Here → There
Example:
Direct: "I will go there tomorrow."
Indirect: She said she would
go there the next day.
Rule 4: Changing Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
1. If the question starts with a helping verb (is, do, have, etc.), use "if" or "whether."
Direct: "Do you like ice cream?" she asked.
Indirect: She asked if I liked ice cream.
2. If the question starts with a WH-word (what, where, when, etc.), keep the WH-word in the indirect speech.
Direct: "Where do you live?" he asked.
Indirect: He asked where I lived.
Rule 5: Changing Imperative Sentences (Commands and Requests)
1. For requests, use "requested" or "asked."
Direct: "Please help me," she said.
Indirect: She requested me to help her.
2. For commands, use "ordered" or "told."
Direct: "Sit down," the teacher said.
Indirect: The teacher told the students to sit down.
3. For advice, use "advised."
Direct: "You should study hard," he said.
Indirect: He advised me to study
hard.
More examples:
