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In the first sentence, the actual words of the speaker are quoted. This is called DIRECT
SPEECH.
In the second sentence, we give the substance of what the speaker said without quoting
his exact words. This is called INDIRECT SPEECH.
Rules For Changing Direct Speech into Indirect
When changing the Direct Speech into Indirect, certain grammatical changes have to be
made.
Rule 1. If the reporting verb is a past tense, the tense of the verb in the Reported Speech
must be changed to the past tense.
(a) A simple present tense becomes a simple past.
Direct: He said, “I am unwell.”
Indirect: He said that he was unwell.
(b) A present continuous becomes a past continuous.
Direct: He said, “My master is writing letters.”
Indirect: He said that his master was writing letters.
Exception to Rule 1: If the reported speech relates to some universal or habitual fact, the Simple
Present Tense in the Reported Speech remains unchanged; as
RULE 2.If the Reporting Verb is in Present or Future Tense, the tense of the verb in the Reported
Speech is not changed at all.
RULE 3: Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives, of the First and Second Person in Direct Speech are
changed into the Third Person in Indirect Speech.
RULE 4. In Reported Speech, the words expressing nearness are changed into words expressing
distance.
This that
These those
Here there
Thus so
Come go
Ago before
Statements in the Indirect Speech are generally introduced by the Conjunction that.
Direct: You said to me, “I do not think I can oblige you again in this way.”
Indirect: You told me that you did not think you could oblige me again in that way.
2. Interrogatory Sentences(Questions)
NOTE: In order to change an interrogatory sentence into a statement, always place the
PRONOUN before the verb.
(1) The introductory verb is changed into request, beg, implore, entreat, order, command,
advise, threaten etc.
(2) The verb in the Reported Speech is put in the infinitive i.e. to + verb.
(3) Let is changed to should.
(1) The introductory Verb is changed into wish, bless, pray, cry, exclaim, and declare etc.
with phrases as with joy, with regret, with sorrow, where necessary.
(2) The Interjection and Exclamation such as oh, well, hurrah, alas, brave, curse it are omitted
and their sense is expressed by means of phrases.
Direct: “What a terrible storm it is!” he said.
Indirect: He exclaimed that it was a terrible storm.
IMPORTANT NOTE The poem ‘Frog And The Nightingale ‘ is also included in the portion
for Unit Test I English Grade X