We can report the words/speech of a speaker in two ways –
1. We may quote his actual words without any change. This is called Direct Speech.
Example- Ram said, “I am very busy now.”
2. We may report his speech in our own words. This is called Indirect Speech.
Example – Ram said that he was very busy then.
I) Forms of the Direct Speech: -
- The exact words of the speaker are put within inverted commas.
- The first word of the direct speech begins with a Capital Letter.
- The first verb in the sentence is called reporting verb.
- The direct speech is separated from reporting verb by a comma.
Example: The peon said, “I shall post the letter.”
II ) Forms of the Indirect Speech.
- No inverted comma.
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- No comma after the reporting verb.
- The reported speech is followed by conjunction ‘that’.
- The first letter of the reported speech is small letter.
- The sentence ends with a fullstop.
Example – The peon said that he would post the letter.
The rules for changing Direct into Indirect Speech:
I – When the reporting verb is in Present Tense, the tense of the direct speech does not change.
Example: 1. Ram says, “I’m ill.” – Direct Ram says that he is ill. – Indirect.
2. He says, “The horse died in the night.”
He says that the horse died in the night.
II - When the reporting verb is in Past Tense the present tense in the direct speech will be changed into corresponding Past tense.
a) Present Simple Past Simple
Example: Ram said, “I am going there.”
Ram said that he was going there.
b) Present Progressive Past Progressive Example: He said, “My Mother is cooking.”
He said that his mother was cooking.
c) Present Perfect Past Perfect
Example: He said, “I have passed the exam.”
He said that he had passed the exam.
III – When the reporting verb is in Past tense and the verb in direct speech is also in Past tense, the following changes takes place.
a) Past Simple Past Perfect
Example: Ram said, “I went there.”
Ram said that he had gone there.
b) Past Progressive Past Perfect Progressive Example: Ram said, “I was then sleeping.”
Ram said that he had been sleeping then.
c) Past Perfect Past Perfect (no change) Example: Ram said, “I had done this work.”
Ram said that he had done that work.
IV – If the reported speech is a universal/scientific truth or habitual action, its tense form does not change irrespective of the tense of reporting verb.
Example: a) Teacher says, “Sun rises in East.”
Teacher said that Sun rises in East.
b) Himanshu said, “Bhubaneswar is the Capital of Odisha.”
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Himanshu said that Bhubaneswar is the Capital of Odisha.
c) Teacher said, “India got independence in 1947.”
Teacher said that India got independence in 1947.
V- In case of Interrogative sentences the question in direct speech is turned into a statement in indirect speech.
Examples:
a) He said to me, “What are you doing?”
He asked me what I was doing.
b) He said, “Do you want to go home now?”
He asked if I wanted to go home then.
VI – In case of imperative sentences the direct speech is turned into indirect speech in the following ways.
Examples:
a) Teacher said, “Gopal! Go away.”
Teacher ordered Gopal to go away.
b) My friend said, “Please give me your bicycle.”
My friend requested me to give him my bicycle.
c) The commander said, “March ahead.”
The commander commanded the soldiers to march ahead.
d) Father said, “Don’t tell lie.”
Father advised me not to tell lie.
e) My sister said, “Remember to bring the umbrella.”
My sister reminded me to bring the umbrella.
f) He said, “let’s have a picnic.”
He suggested that they should have a picnic.
VII – In case of exclamatory sentences the direct speech is turned into indirect speech as follows.
Examples:
a) Alice said, “How clever I am!”
Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
b) He said, “What a beautiful flower! “
He exclaimed in joy that the flower was very beautiful.
c) He said, “Good luck!”
He wished me good luck.
d) He said, “Congratulations!”
He congratulated me.
e) He said, “Good Morning! “ He wished good morning.
f) He said to Rabi, “Liar!”
He called Rabi a liar.
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Self-check questions:
I. Turn into indirect speech.
1. Mani said, “I like sweets.”
2. The teacher said, “Water boils at 1000 C.”
3. The traveler said, “I am tired.”
4. Manas said, “I am enjoying my work.”
5. The man said, “The house is on fire.”
6. She said, “I took it home with me.”
7. He said, “What shall I do?”
8. Sarita said, “I must go soon.”
9. She said,” What happened?”
10. He said to me, “Do you know him?”
11. The N.C.C. teacher said, “March on boys.”
12. Mother said to me, “Don’t go to bed late.”
13. He said, “I must go there.”
14.He said, “How dreadful!”
15. He said, “What a splendid sunset!”
16. We said to Dhoni, “Congratulation.”
17.The traveller said, “Farewell, friends!”
II. Turn into Direct Speech.
18.The teacher said that morning was at six.
19. Father said that honesty is the best policy.
20. She wished me a good morning.
21.The priest wished that God might save me.
22. Father advised me not to keep bad company.
23. He exclaimed that the sunset was very lovely.
24. The teacher ordered the peon to bring him a glass of water.
25. Suman says that she doesn’t like sweets.
26.I said that I would complain about him to the police.
27. He said he had to go there.
28. He wished me a good evening.
29.My mother advised me not to waste my time.
30. Sarat asked if it was still raining.
31. Priya asked Minati how her mother was.
32.Manoj said that he was very busy.
33. He told me that he would help me.
34.He asked me if I had any work.
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Answer Sheet:
I.
1. Mini said that she likes sweets.
2. The teacher said that water boils at 1000 C.
3. The traveler said that he was tired.
4. Manas said that he was enjoying his work.
5. The man said that the house was on fire.
6. She said that she had taken it home with her.
7. He asked what he should do.
8. Sarita said that she had to go soon.
9. She asked what has happened.
10. He asked me if I knew him.
11. The N.C.C teacher commanded the boys to march on.
12. Mother advised me not to go to bed late.
13. He told that he had to go there.
14.He exclaimed that was really dreadful.
15. He exclaimed in joy that it was a very splendid sunset.
16. We congratulated Dhoni.
17.The traveller bade farewell to his friends.
II.
18. The teacher said, “Morning is at six.”
19.Father said, “Honesty is the best policy.”
20. She said to me, “Good Morning.”
21. The priest said, “May God save you.”
22.Father said to me, “Don’t keep bad company.”
23. He said, “How lovely the sunset is!”
24. The teacher said to the poem, “Bring me a glass of water.”
25. Suman says, “I don’t like sweets.”
26. I said, “I will complain about you to the police.”
27.He said, “I must go there.”
28. He said, “Good evening.”
29. My mother said to me, “Don’t waste your time.” (2015) 30.Sarat said, “Is it still raining?” (2014)
31. Priya said to Minati, “How is your mother?” (2014) 32. Manoj said, “I am very busy.” (2017)
33.He said to me, “I shall help you.” (2019) 34. He said to me, “Do you have any work?”
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