DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

pratibha.eenadu.net/appsc/lesson/junior-assistent/prelims/telugu-medium/direct-and-indirect-speech/2-1015-345-793-
1236-1530-10420-16306-22040000258

ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను మరొకరితో ఇంగ్లిష్‌లో రెండు రకాలుగా చెప్పవచ్చు. ఒకటి, చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా
చెప్పడం. దీన్ని డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. రెండోది, చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా చెప్పకుండా వాటి తాత్పర్యాన్ని చెప్పడం.
దీన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. రిపోర్టింగ్ ప్రక్రియలో డై రెక్ట్ అండ్ ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ చాలా ఉపయోగపడుతుంది. డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో
ఇచ్చిన ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి అర్థంలో తేడా రాకుండా మార్చి రాయాలి. ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌ను రిపోర్టెడ్ స్పీచ్ అని
కూడా అంటారు.
Sometimes we need to say what another person said. There are two ways to do this in
English …Direct Speech and Indirect Speech (Reported Speech). Direct speech is used
when we want to repeat the original speaker's exact words, while Indirect Speech is used
when we want to give the exact meaning of a speech without quoting the speaker's exact
words. Now this way, we can answer the question ‘What did he/she say?’ in these ways: by
repeating the words spoken (Direct Speech) and by reporting the words spoken (Indirect
Speech).
e.g. Namratha said to me, “I do n’t like this game.” (D.S.)
Namratha told me that she did not like that game. (R.S.)
We can make a speaker's words or thoughts part/s of our sentence, using reported verbs,
conjunctions (e.g. that) and change pronouns, the tenses or verb forms and other words
(adverbs) when necessary. This kind of reporting is called Reported Speech.
CERTAIN BASICS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా తిరిగి చెప్పినప్పుడు అది డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అవుతుంది. ఆ మాటలను రాయాల్సి
వచ్చినప్పుడు వాటిని ఇన్‌వర్టెడ్ కామాల్లో ఉంచుతాం.
e.g.: Ramana said to them, “I wrote a letter yesterday.”
Subject Direct Speech
అయితే ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను పైవిధంగా కాకుండా మరో విధంగా చెప్పొచ్చు. దాన్నే ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. దీనిలో
ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా కాకుండా వాటి తాత్పర్యాన్ని మాత్రమే చెప్తా రు. దీన్ని రిపోర్టింగ్ అంటారు. పైన
ఇచ్చిన డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ వాక్యానికి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ ఎలా ఉంటుందో కింద ఇచ్చాం చూడండి.
e.g.: Ramana told them that he had written a letter yesterday.
Subject Indirect Speech
ఇప్పుడు డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్, ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌ల్లో ఉన్న వాక్యాల్లోని భాగాలను ఎలా పిలుస్తా రో చూద్దాం.

1/9
 PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
There are some grammatical differences between direct and indirect speech. These
changes are mostly natural and logical. But then, it is necessary to learn these rules that
govern the reporting process or transformation of speech in English.
1. Reporting Verb and Reported Verb: Depending upon the kind of sentence found in
the Direct Speech part, the reporting verb remains so or gets changed into : say(s), said, told
for Declarative Sentences ; asked, enquired, inquired, for Interrogative Sentences; ordered,
commanded, begged, requested, told for Imperative Sentences; exclaimed and said for
Exclamatory Sentence.

e.g. He said, “She is a teacher.” ↔ He said that she was a teacher.

He said, “Is she a teacher?” ↔ He asked me whether she was a teacher.
He said, “Where is she working?” ↔ He enquired where she was working.
He said, “Open the door quickly.” ↔ He ordered me to open the door quickly.
He said, “Tell me about her please.” ↔ He requested to tell him about her.
He said, “What good news it is!” ↔ He exclaimed and said that it was good news.
వివరణ: డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోనున్న ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చేటప్పుడు రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్‌ను రిపోర్టెడ్ వెర్బ్‌గా మార్చి

2/9
రాయడం మొదటి మార్పు. ఈ ప్రక్రియలో డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో కనిపించే వాక్యం రకాన్ని బట్టి (డిక్లరేటివ్, ఇంటరాగేటివ్,
ఇంపరేటివ్) రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్ తదనుగుణంగా రిపోర్టెడ్ వర్బ్‌గా మారుతుంది. పై ఉదాహరణల్లో Saidఅనే రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్ వాక్య
రకాన్ని బట్టి said, asked, enquired, ordered, requested,exclaimed and said గా మారుతుంది.
2. Conjunction Case: We use different conjunctions while transforming the Direct Speech into
Indirect Speech. The conjunction ‘that’ for Declarative Sentence and Exclamatory
Sentences in the Direct Speech; ‘if’ /‘whether’ or Wh-word /How for Interrogative Sentence;
‘to’ or ‘not to’ for Imperative Sentence cases accordingly.

e.g.: She said to me, “He teaches English.” ↔ She told me that he taught English.
She said to me, “Does he teach English?” ↔ She asked me –– if he taught English.
She said to me “Where does he teach English?” ↔ She asked me where he taught English.
She said to me,” Don’t teach English.” ↔ She ordered me not to teach English.
She said to me, “How interesting!” ↔ She exclaimed and told me that it was interesting.
వివరణ: డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోనున్న ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చేటప్పుడు డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ భాగాన్ని దాని ముందుభాగంతో
కలపడానికి ఒక కంజంక్షన్ చేర్చే అవసరం ఉంటుంది. అయితే కంజంక్షన్ ఎంపిక అనేది డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో కనిపించే వాక్య రకాన్ని
బట్టి (డిక్లరేటివ్, ఇంటరాగేటివ్, ఇంపరేటివ్) తదనుగుణంగా ఉండాలి. పై ఉదాహరణల్లో డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోని డిక్లరేటివ్,
ఇంటరాగేటివ్, ఇంపరేటివ్, ఎక్ల్సమేటరీ వాక్య రకాన్ని బట్టి రిపోర్టెడ్ స్పీచ్ వెర్షన్స్ పరిశీలిస్తే that, if,where, not
to మరియు that అనే పదాలను కంజంక్షన్స్‌గా చేర్చారని గమనించండి.
NOTE: The conjunction ‘that’ is dropped, especially after common reporting verbs (e.g.
say, think)) in informal speech and ‘that’ can not be dropped after certain verbs (e.g. reply,
shout).
e.g.: I think (that) you are probably right. (‘that’ is dropped)
e.g.: She shouted that she was busy. (‘that’ cannot be dropped)

3/9
3. Pronoun Changes: When changing from direct speech to indirect speech, it is often
necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence.
e.g. She said, “ I want to bring my book.” ↔ She said that she wanted to bring her book.
TABLE OF PRONOUNS

వివరణ: మార్పుక్రమంలో మూడోది pronouns. ఇలా చాలా ముఖ్యం. రిపోర్టింగ్ చేసే వ్యక్తి డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో భాగంగా ఉన్న
వ్యక్తు లను noun/pronoun లతో సంభోదిస్తా డు అనే పరిస్థితిపై ఈ మార్పు ఆధారపడుతుంది. ఏయే noun/pronoun
లను ఏ విధంగా మార్చాలనేదే ఆయా వాక్యాలను బట్టి మాత్రమే చెప్పగలిగే వీలుంటుంది.
When the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, all the verbs in Present Tense in the Direct
Speech have to be changed into the corresponding Past Tense verb forms.
వివరణ: ఇది నాలుగో మార్పు. verb forms (Tenses) కి సంబంధించినది. Reporting Verb ‘Past
Tense’ లో ఉన్నప్పుడు, డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోని ‘verb’ form Past Tense లోకి మారుతుంది. అయితే దీనికి కొన్ని
మినహాయింపులు ఉంటాయి. Reporting Verb అనేది Present/Future Tense లో ఉన్నప్పుడు Tense
మార్పులుండవు. ఉదాహరణకు నిత్యసత్యాలను Past Tense లోకి మార్చి చెప్పలేం కదా. ఇప్పుడు ఈ కింద ఇచ్చిన టెన్స్
మార్పులను సూచించే పట్టికలను నిశితంగా గమనించండి.

4/9
¤ Indirect speech can be introduced by a verb in a present tense usually when we are:
1. reporting a conversation that is still going on.
2. reading a letter or something else and reporting what it said.

3. reading instructions and reporting them.

4. reporting a statement that someone makes very often.
e.g.: Rani says, “I will never get married.”
Rani says that she will never get married.
¤ when the introductory verb (reporting verb) is in a present, present perfect or future
tense (less common), the tense of the direct speech does not change.

5/9
 e.g.: He has just said, “My master is writing letters."
He has just said (that) his master is writing letters.
5. Adverb (Time) Change: If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you
must change it to fit in with the time of reporting. For example, we need to change words like
here and yesterday if they have different meanings at the time and place of reporting. The
following are the adverbs or expressions of time, if the direct speech happens to be
reported on a different day.
వివరణ: అయిదోది మరియు చివరిదీ అయిన ఈ మార్పులో Adverbs ను (డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ పార్ట్‌లో ఒకవేళ ఉంటే) దానికి
అనుగుణంగా మార్చి రాయాలి. Words expressing nearness are generally changed into words
expressing distance.
Expressions like -- this (evening), today ,yesterday, these(days), now, (a week) ago, last
weekend, here, next (week), tomorrow etc. become that(evening), that day, the previous day/
the day before, those(days), then, (a week) before, the weekend before / the previous
weekend, there, the following (week), the next/following day etc.,

e.g. She said, “I will come tomorrow.” ↔ She said that she would come the next day.
. పైన ఇచ్చిన పట్టికల్లోని విషయ పరిజ్ఞానంతో వివిధ రకాల వాక్యాలను డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చిన
ఉదాహరణలు ఇవిగో...

SAMPLING OF TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES

6/9
FROM DIRECT SPEECH INTO INDIRECT SPEECH
¤ Statements (Declarative Sentences)
Case 1: Plain Statements
e.g. Direct Speech : She said to him, “I am very busy now.”
Indirect Speech: She told him that she was very busy then.
Case 2: Universal Truths (where tense change is not applicable)
e.g. Direct Speech: The teacher said, “The earth moves round the sun.”
Indirect Speech: The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

¤ Questions ( Interrogative Sentences)

Case 1: Wh-words & How
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where are you going now?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him where he was going then.

Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where do you work?”

Indirect Speech: She asked him where he worked.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “How do you go to office?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him how he went to office.
Case 2: Yes-No Questions
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him if he played cricket.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him whether he played cricket.

¤ Orders, Requests, Suggestions etc., ( Imperative Sentences)

Case 1: Positive Sentences
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She ordered him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She told him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She requested him to open the door.
Case 2: Negative Sentences
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Don’t open the door.”Indirect Speech: She
ordered him not to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please don’t open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She requested him not to open the door.

7/9
¤ Exclamatory Sentences
Case 1: Positive feeling
Direct Speech: She said, “What a nice shot!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was a nice shot.
Case 2: Negative feeling
Direct Speech: She said, “How disgusting!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was very disgusting.
కాబట్టి ఈ విధమైన సమగ్ర సమాచార సహాయంతో ఒక వాక్యాన్ని డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ (రిపోర్టెడ్
స్పీచ్)లోకి సులభంగా మార్చవచ్చు. దీనికి కావల్సిందల్లా తగినంత ప్రాక్టీస్. అందుకోసం ఈకింద ఇచ్చిన అభ్యాసాలను
సాధనచేసి, జవాబులు సరిచూసుకోండి.

EXERCISE

¤ Report the following sentences carefully.

1. He said to them, “The Bible is a holy book.”
2. He said to them, “I read the Bible everyday.”
3. He said to them, “I am reading the Bible now.”
4. He said to them, “I have read the Bible recently.”
5. He said to them, “I have been reading the Bible since 2009.”
6. He said to them, “I read the Bible in my childhood.”
7. He said to them, “I was reading the Bible at 6 p.m. yesterday.”
8. He said to them, “I had read the Bible and went out for a walk last week.”
9. He said to them, “I had been reading the Bible during my school days.”
10. He said to them, “I will read the Bible tomorrow.”
11. He said to them, “I shall read the Bible tomorrow.”
12. He said to them, “I will be reading the Bible in my journey tomorrow.”
13. He said to them, “I will have read the Bible by this time tomorrow.”
14. He said to them, “I will have been reading the Bible during my post-retirement.”
15. He said to them, “Let us read the Bible everyday.”
16. He said to them, “I must read the Bible.”
17. He said to them, “Do you read the Bible?”
18. He said to them, “When will you read the Bible?
19. He said to them, “How do you read the Bible?”
20. He said to them, “Read the Bible.”
21. He said to them, “Please read the Bible.”
22. He said to them, “You must not read the Bible at odd times.”
23. He said to them, “Yes, I have read the Bible wholeheartedly.”

8/9
ANSWERS :
1. He told them that the Bible is a holy book.
2. He told them that he read the Bible everyday.
3. He told them that he was reading the Bible then.
4. He told them that he had read the Bible recently.
5. He told them that he had been reading the Bible since 2009.
6. He told them that he had read the Bible in his childhood.
7. He told them that he had been reading the Bible at 6 p.m. the previous day.
8. He told them that he had read the Bible and went out for a walk the previous week.
9. He told them that he had been reading the Bible during his school days.
10. He told them that he would read the Bible the next day.
11. He told them that he would read the Bible the next day.
12. He told them that he would be reading the Bible in his journey the next day.
13. He told them that he would have read the Bible by that time the following day.
14. He told them that he would have been reading the Bible during his post-retirement.
15. He told them that they should read the Bible everyday.
16. He told them that he had to read the Bible.
17. He asked them if they read the Bible.
18. He asked them when they would read the Bible.
19. He asked them how they read the Bible.
20. He ordered/told them to read the Bible.
21. He requested them to read the Bible.
22. He told them that they must not read the Bible at odd times.
23. He confessed that he had read the Bible wholeheartedly.

9/9
Direct and Indirect Speech
pratibha.eenadu.net/eligibilityexams/lesson/tet/andhra-pradesh/telugumedium/direct-and-indirect-speech/2-3-25-47-
729-1219-5450-14311-20040017547

ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను మరొకరితో ఇంగ్లిష్‌లో రెండు రకాలుగా చెప్పవచ్చు. ఒకటి, చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా
చెప్పడం. దీన్ని డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. రెండోది, చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా చెప్పకుండా వాటి తాత్పర్యాన్ని చెప్పడం.
దీన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. రిపోర్టింగ్ ప్రక్రియలో డై రెక్ట్ అండ్ ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ చాలా ఉపయోగపడుతుంది. డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో
ఇచ్చిన ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి అర్థంలో తేడా రాకుండా మార్చి రాయాలి. ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌ను రిపోర్టెడ్ స్పీచ్ అని
కూడా అంటారు.
Sometimes we need to say what another person said. There are two ways to do this in
English …Direct Speech and Indirect Speech (Reported Speech). Direct speech is used
when we want to repeat the original speaker's exact words, while Indirect Speech is used
when we want to give the exact meaning of a speech without quoting the speaker's exact
words. Now this way, we can answer the question ‘What did he/she say?’ in these ways: by
repeating the words spoken (Direct Speech) and by reporting the words spoken (Indirect
Speech).
e.g. Namratha said to me, “I do n’t like this game.” (D.S.)
Namratha told me that she did not like that game. (R.S.)

We can make a speaker's words or thoughts part/s of our sentence, using reported
verbs, conjunctions (e.g. that) and change pronouns, the tenses or verb forms and other
words (adverbs) when necessary. This kind of reporting is called Reported Speech.

CERTAIN BASICS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా తిరిగి చెప్పినప్పుడు అది డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అవుతుంది. ఆ మాటలను రాయాల్సి
వచ్చినప్పుడు వాటిని ఇన్‌వర్టెడ్ కామాల్లో ఉంచుతాం.
e.g.: Ramana said to them, “I wrote a letter yesterday.”
Subject Direct Speech
అయితే ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను పైవిధంగా కాకుండా మరో విధంగా చెప్పొచ్చు. దాన్నే ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ అంటారు. దీనిలో
ఒకరు చెప్పిన మాటలను యథాతథంగా కాకుండా వాటి తాత్పర్యాన్ని మాత్రమే చెప్తా రు. దీన్ని రిపోర్టింగ్ అంటారు. పైన
ఇచ్చిన డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ వాక్యానికి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ ఎలా ఉంటుందో కింద ఇచ్చాం చూడండి.
e.g.: Ramana told them that he had written a letter yesterday.
Subject Indirect Speech
ఇప్పుడు డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్, ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌ల్లో ఉన్న వాక్యాల్లోని భాగాలను ఎలా పిలుస్తా రో చూద్దాం.

1/9
PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
There are some grammatical differences between direct and indirect speech. These changes
are mostly natural and logical. But then, it is necessary to learn these rules that govern the
reporting process or transformation of speech in English.
1. Reporting Verb and Reported Verb: Depending upon the kind of sentence found in the
Direct Speech part, the reporting verb remains so or gets changed into : say(s), said, told for
Declarative Sentences ; asked, enquired, inquired, for Interrogative Sentences; ordered,
commanded, begged, requested, told for Imperative Sentences; exclaimed and said for
Exclamatory Sentence.

CONVERSION OF REPORTING VERB INTO REPORTED VERB

e.g. He said, “She is a teacher.”⇔ He said that she was a teacher.

He said, “Is she a teacher?”⇔ He asked me whether she was a teacher.
He said, “Where is she working?”⇔ He enquired where she was working.
He said, “Open the door quickly.” ⇔ He ordered me to open the door quickly.
He said, “Tell me about her please.” ⇔ He requested to tell him about her.
He said, “What good news it is!” ⇔ He exclaimed and said that it was good news.

వివరణ: డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోనున్న ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చేటప్పుడు రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్‌ను రిపోర్టెడ్ వెర్బ్‌గా మార్చి
రాయడం మొదటి మార్పు. ఈ ప్రక్రియలో డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో కనిపించే వాక్యం రకాన్ని బట్టి (డిక్లరేటివ్, ఇంటరాగేటివ్,
ఇంపరేటివ్) రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్ తదనుగుణంగా రిపోర్టెడ్ వర్బ్‌గా మారుతుంది. పై ఉదాహరణల్లో Saidఅనే రిపోర్టింగ్ వెర్బ్ వాక్య
రకాన్ని బట్టి said, asked, enquired, ordered, requested,exclaimed and said గా మారుతుంది.

2. Conjunction Case: We use different conjunctions while transforming the Direct Speech
into Indirect Speech. The conjunction ‘that’ for Declarative Sentence and Exclamatory
Sentences in the Direct Speech; ‘if’ /‘whether’ or Wh-word /How for Interrogative Sentence;
‘to’ or ‘not to’ for Imperative Sentence cases accordingly.

2/9
INSERTION OF CONJUNCTION

e.g.: She said to me, “He teaches English.” ⇔She told me that he taught English.

She said to me, “Does he teach English?” ⇔ She asked me –– if he taught English.
She said to me “Where does he teach English?”⇔ She asked me where he taught English.
She said to me,” Don’t teach English.” ⇔She ordered me not to teach English.
She said to me, “How interesting!” ⇔ She exclaimed and told me that it was interesting.
వివరణ: డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోనున్న ఒక వాక్యాన్ని ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చేటప్పుడు డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ భాగాన్ని దాని ముందుభాగంతో
కలపడానికి ఒక కంజంక్షన్ చేర్చే అవసరం ఉంటుంది. అయితే కంజంక్షన్ ఎంపిక అనేది డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లో కనిపించే వాక్య రకాన్ని
బట్టి (డిక్లరేటివ్, ఇంటరాగేటివ్, ఇంపరేటివ్) తదనుగుణంగా ఉండాలి. పై ఉదాహరణల్లో డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోని డిక్లరేటివ్,
ఇంటరాగేటివ్, ఇంపరేటివ్, ఎక్ల్సమేటరీ వాక్య రకాన్ని బట్టి రిపోర్టెడ్ స్పీచ్ వెర్షన్స్ పరిశీలిస్తే that, if,where, not
toమరియు that అనే పదాలను కంజంక్షన్స్‌గా చేర్చారని గమనించండి.
NOTE: The conjunction ‘that’ is dropped, especially after common reporting verbs (e.g.
say, think)) in informal speech and ‘that’ can not be dropped after certain verbs (e.g. reply,
shout).

e.g.: I think (that) you are probably right. (‘that’ is dropped)

e.g.: She shouted that she was busy. (‘that’ cannot be dropped)
3. Pronoun Changes: When changing from direct speech to indirect speech, it is often
necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence.

e.g. She said, “ I want to bring my book.” ↔ She said that she wanted to bring her book.
TABLE OF PRONOUNS

3/9
మార్చాలనేదే ఆయా వాక్యాలను బట్టి మాత్రమే చెప్పగలిగే వీలుంటుంది.

పై ఉదాహరణలో కనిపించే ఈ మార్పు ప్రక్రియను ఒకసారి గమనించండి.

4. Tense Changes: Indirect Speech is usually introduced by a verb in the Past Tense. When
the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, all the verbs in Present Tense in the Direct Speech
have to be changed into the corresponding Past Tense verb forms.

వివరణ: ఇది నాలుగో మార్పు. verb forms (Tenses) కి సంబంధించినది. Reporting Verb ‘Past
Tense’ లో ఉన్నప్పుడు, డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోని ‘verb’ form Past Tense లోకి మారుతుంది. అయితే దీనికి కొన్ని
మినహాయింపులు ఉంటాయి. Reporting Verb అనేది Present/Future Tense లో ఉన్నప్పుడు Tense
మార్పులుండవు. ఉదాహరణకు నిత్యసత్యాలను Past Tense లోకి మార్చి చెప్పలేం కదా. ఇప్పుడు ఈ కింద ఇచ్చిన టెన్స్
మార్పులను సూచించే పట్టికలను నిశితంగా గమనించండి.
TENSE CHANGES WITH EXAMPLES

Modal Verb Cases

4/9
* Indirect speech can be introduced by a verb in a present tense usually when we are:
1. reporting a conversation that is still going on.
2. reading a letter or something else and reporting what it said.

3. reading instructions and reporting them.

4. reporting a statement that someone makes very often.
e.g.: Rani says, “I will never get married.”
Rani says that she will never get married.
* when the introductory verb (reporting verb) is in a present, present perfect or future
tense (less common), the tense of the direct speech does not change.
e.g.: He has just said, “My master is writing letters."
He has just said (that) his master is writing letters.

5. Adverb (Time) Change: If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you
must change it to fit in with the time of reporting. For example, we need to change words like
here and yesterday if they have different meanings at the time and place of reporting. The
following are the adverbs or expressions of time, if the direct speech happens to be reported
on a different day.
వివరణ: అయిదోది మరియు చివరిదీ అయిన ఈ మార్పులో Adverbs ను (డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ పార్ట్‌లో ఒకవేళ ఉంటే) దానికి
అనుగుణంగా మార్చి రాయాలి. Words expressing nearness are generally changed into words
expressing distance.

Expressions like -- this (evening), today ,yesterday, these(days), now, (a week) ago, last
weekend, here, next (week), tomorrow etc. become that(evening), that day, the previous day/
the day before, those(days), then, (a week) before, the weekend before / the previous
weekend, there, the following (week), the next/following day etc.,

5/9
CONVERSION OF ADVERB

e.g. She said, “I will come tomorrow.” ↔ She said that she would come the next day.
పైన ఇచ్చిన పట్టికల్లోని విషయ పరిజ్ఞానంతో వివిధ రకాల వాక్యాలను డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చిన
ఉదాహరణలు ఇవిగో...
SAMPLING OF TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES

FROM DIRECT SPEECH INTO INDIRECT SPEECH

* Statements (Declarative Sentences)
Case 1: Plain Statements
e.g. Direct Speech : She said to him, “I am very busy now.”
Indirect Speech: She told him that she was very busy then.
Case 2: Universal Truths (where tense change is not applicable)
e.g. Direct Speech: The teacher said, “The earth moves round the sun.”
Indirect Speech: The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

* Questions ( Interrogative Sentences)

Case 1: Wh-words & How
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where are you going now?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him where he was going then.

Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where do you work?”

Indirect Speech: She asked him where he worked.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “How do you go to office?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him how he went to office.
Case 2: Yes-No Questions
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him if he played cricket.

6/9
 Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him whether he played cricket.
* Orders, Requests, Suggestions etc., ( Imperative Sentences)
Case 1: Positive Sentences
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She ordered him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She told him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please open the door.”

Indirect Speech: She requested him to open the door.

Case 2: Negative Sentences
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Don’t open the door.”Indirect Speech: She
ordered him not to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please don’t open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She requested him not to open the door.
* Exclamatory Sentences
Case 1: Positive feeling
Direct Speech: She said, “What a nice shot!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was a nice shot.
Case 2: Negative feeling
Direct Speech: She said, “How disgusting!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was very disgusting.
కాబట్టి ఈ విధమైన సమగ్ర సమాచార సహాయంతో ఒక వాక్యాన్ని డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ (రిపోర్టెడ్
స్పీచ్)లోకి సులభంగా మార్చవచ్చు. దీనికి కావల్సిందల్లా తగినంత ప్రాక్టీస్. అందుకోసం ఈకింద ఇచ్చిన అభ్యాసాలను
సాధనచేసి, జవాబులు సరిచూసుకోండి.

EXERCISE

Report the following sentences carefully.

1. He said to them, “The Bible is a holy book.”

2. He said to them, “I read the Bible everyday.”
3. He said to them, “I am reading the Bible now.”
4. He said to them, “I have read the Bible recently.”
5. He said to them, “I have been reading the Bible since 2009.”
6. He said to them, “I read the Bible in my childhood.”
7. He said to them, “I was reading the Bible at 6 p.m. yesterday.”
8. He said to them, “I had read the Bible and went out for a walk last week.”
9. He said to them, “I had been reading the Bible during my school days.”
10. He said to them, “I will read the Bible tomorrow.”
11. He said to them, “I shall read the Bible tomorrow.”

7/9
12. He said to them, “I will be reading the Bible in my journey tomorrow.”
13. He said to them, “I will have read the Bible by this time tomorrow.”
14. He said to them, “I will have been reading the Bible during my post-retirement.”

15. He said to them, “Let us read the Bible everyday.”

16. He said to them, “I must read the Bible.”
17. He said to them, “Do you read the Bible?”
18. He said to them, “When will you read the Bible?
19. He said to them, “How do you read the Bible?”
20. He said to them, “Read the Bible.”
21. He said to them, “Please read the Bible.”

22. He said to them, “Don’t read anything except the Bible.”

23. He said to them, “What a reading of the Bible!”
24. He said to them, “Let it take its own time, I shall read the Bible.”
25. He says to them, “I read the Bible for salvation.”
26. He said to them, “I must read the Bible now.”
27. He said to them, “I need not read the Bible.”
28. He said to them, “I must read the Bible next week.”

29. He said to them, “You must not read the Bible at odd times.”
30. He said to them, “Yes, I have read the Bible wholeheartedly.”

ANSWERS:
1. He told them that the Bible is a holy book.
2. He told them that he read the Bible everyday.
3. He told them that he was reading the Bible then.
4. He told them that he had read the Bible recently.
5. He told them that he had been reading the Bible since 2009.
6. He told them that he had read the Bible in his childhood.

7. He told them that he had been reading the Bible at 6 p.m. the previous day.
8. He told them that he had read the Bible and went out for a walk the previous week.
9. He told them that he had been reading the Bible during his school days.
10. He told them that he would read the Bible the next day.
11. He told them that he would read the Bible the next day.
12. He told them that he would be reading the Bible in his journey the next day.
13. He told them that he would have read the Bible by that time the following day.
14. He told them that he would have been reading the Bible during his post-retirement.

15. He told them that they should read the Bible everyday.
16. He told them that he had to read the Bible.
17. He asked them if they read the Bible.

8/9
18. He asked them when they would read the Bible.
19. He asked them how they read the Bible.
20. He ordered/told them to read the Bible.
21. He requested them to read the Bible.

22. He advised them not to read anything except the Bible.

23. He exclaimed and said that it was a wonderful reading of the Bible.
24. He told them that he would read the Bible however long it might take time.
25. He says to them that he reads the Bible for salvation.
26. He told them that he had to read the Bible at once. / He told them that he was not to
read the Bible then.
27. He told them that he did not have to read the Bible.
28. He told them that he would have to read the Bible the following week.

29. He told them that they must not read the Bible at odd times.
30. He confessed that he had read the Bible wholeheartedly.

9/9
DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH - 2
pratibha.eenadu.net/jobs/lesson/ibps/ibps-clerks/telugumedium/direct-indirect-speech-2/2-1-6-32-188-1343-12020-
19165-23040001735

Direct and indirect speech is one of the important topics in the English language section of
the SSC (Staff Selection Commission) exam. Being familiar with the rules and patterns of
transforming direct speech into indirect speech is essential for aspirants to score well in this
section. Direct speech refers to the exact words spoken by someone, enclosed within
quotation marks.Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves reporting
someone's words or thoughts without using their exact words.It requires transforming the
original sentence to reflect the meaning or content of the original statement.

Conversion of sentences from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech:

I. A sentence in Simple Present Tense in Direct Speech changes to Simple Past Tense in
Indirect Speech.
Example:
"I always eat chicken", Tamanna said. (Simple Present Tense)
Tamanna said that she always ate chicken. (Simple Past Tense)

II. A sentence in Present Continuous Tense in Direct Speech changes to Past Continuous
Tense in Indirect Speech.
Example:
"I am creating a model", he explained. (Present Continuous Tense)
He explained that he was creating a model. (Past Continuous Tense)

III. A sentence in Present Perfect Tense in Direct Speech changes to Past Perfect Tense in
Indirect Speech.
Example:
The teacher said, "He has finished his work." (Present Perfect Tense)
The teacher said that he had finished his work. (Past Perfect Tense)

IV. A sentence in Present Perfect Continuous Tense in Direct Speech changes to Past
Perfect Continuous Tense in Indirect Speech.
Example:
"I have been to Japan", my friend told me. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense)

My friend told me that he had been to Japan. (Past Perfect Continuous Tense)

1/5
V. A sentence in Simple Past Tense in Direct Speech changes to Past Perfect Tense in
Indirect Speech.
Example:
"Hareesh arrived on Saturday", Dhananjaya said. (Simple Past Tense)

Dhananjaya said that Hareesh had arrived on Saturday. (Past Perfect Tense)
VI. A sentence in Past Continuous Tense in Direct Speech changes to Past Perfect
Continuous Tense in Indirect Speech.

Example:
"We were living in Bengaluru", they told me. (Past Continuous Tense)
They told me that they had been living in Bengaluru. (Past Perfect Continuous Tense)
VII. A sentence in Past Perfect Tense in Direct Speech remains as Past Perfect Tense
Indirect Speech. There is no change in Tense here.
Example:
"I had just turned out the fan," he explained. (Past Perfect Tense)
He explained that he had just turned out the fan. (Past Perfect Tense)

Model Questions

Directions (Qs. 1 - 5): Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.
1. "I am not going to let anyone bring me down," the female leader declared.
A) The female leader declared that she was not going to let anyone bring her down.
B) The female leader declared that she was not going to let anyone bring her down.
C) The female leader declared that he was not going to let anyone bring his down.
D) The female leader declared that she was not going to let anyone bring them down.
Explanation: Here, the sentence is in Present Continuous Tense in Direct Speech. So, it
changes to Past Continuous Tense in Indirect Speech. So, we change the noun "female
leader" to "she" and the verb tense "am" to"was", to reflect the reported speech.
Ans: A

2. "I have never seen such a breathtaking view before," he exclaimed.

A) I exclaimed that he had never seen such a breathtaking view before. B) He
exclaimed that he had never seen such a breathtaking view before.
C) He exclaimed that I had never seen such a breathtaking view before. D) I
exclaimed that I had never seen such a breathtaking view before.
Explanation: Here, the sentence is in Present Perfect Tense in Direct Speech. So, it
changes to Past Perfect Tense in Indirect Speech. The pronoun "I" changes to "he," and the
present perfect tense "have seen" changes to the past perfect tense "had seen."
Ans: B

2/5
3. "I won't tolerate any form of discrimination," she stated firmly.
A) She stated firmly that they would not tolerate any form of discrimination. B) They
stated firmly that she would not tolerate any form of discrimination.
C) She stated firmly that she would not tolerate any form of discrimination. D) I
stated firmly that she would not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Explanation: The Modals such as would, should, could, might, ought to do not change in
Indirect Speech. The pronoun "I" changes to "she," and the future tense "won't" changes to
the conditional "would not." So, the correct sentence should be: She stated firmly that she
would not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ans: C

4. "I can't believe I made such a silly mistake," he confessed.

A) I confessed that he couldn't believe he had made such a silly mistake. B) He
confessed that I couldn't believe he had made such a silly mistake.
C) He confess that he couldn't believe he had made such a silly mistake. D) He
confessed that he couldn't believe he had made such a silly mistake.
Explanation: Here, The pronoun "I" changes to "he," and the present tense "can't" changes
to the past tense "couldn't." The reporting verb "confessed" remains unchanged.
Ans: D

5. "I must apologize for my behavior," she admitted.

A) She admitted that she had to apologize for her behavior. B) I admitted that she had
to apologize for her behavior.
C) She admitted that I had to apologize for her behavior. D) I admitted that I had to
apologize for her behavior.
Explanation: Here, the pronoun "I" changes to "she," and the modal verb "must" changes to
the past tense "had to" in the Indirect speech.
Ans: A

Directions (Qs. 6 - 9): Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
6. He told me that he had never seen such a magnificent movie before.
A) "I have never seen such a magnificent movie before," he said. B) "He have never
seen such a magnificent movie before," he said.
C) "I have never seen such a magnificent movie before," I said. D) "He had never
seen such a magnificent movie before," he said.
Explanation: Here, the sentence is in Past Perfect Tense in the reported speech. So, it
changes to Present Perfect Tense in the Direct Speech. So, we change the pronoun "He" to
"I" and the verb tense "had" to "have", to reflect the Direct speech. Ans: A

3/5
7. She said that she would be willing to help if she had more time.
A) "She would be willing to help if I had more time," she said. B) "I would be willing to
help if I had more time," she said.
C) "I would be willing to help if she had more time," she said. D) "I would be willing to
help if I had more time," I said.
Explanation: In the indirect speech, the reporting verb "said" is used to introduce the
reported statement. The pronoun "she" indicates the person speaking in the indirect speech.
It should be changed to "I" in the Direct Speech.The Modals such as would, should,
could,might, ought to do not change.
Ans: B

8. They told us not to go near the edge of the cliff.

A) "Don't went near the edge of the cliff," they told us. B) "Don't go near the edge of
the cliff," they tell us.
C) "Don't go near the edge of the cliff," I told us. D) "Don't go near the edge of
the cliff," they told us.
Explanation: Here, the sentence is in Simple Past Tense in the reported speech. So,
itchanges to Simple Present Tense in the Direct Speech. So, we use the verb " Don't go", to
reflect the Direct speech.
Ans: D
9. The teacher explained that the Earth orbits around the Sun.
A) "The Earth orbit around the Sun,"explained the teacher. B) "The Earth orbit
around the Sun," explainthe teacher.
C) "The Earth orbits around the Sun,"explained the teacher. D) "The Earth is
orbiting around the Sun,"explained the teacher.
Explanation: Here, the sentence is a Universal truth in the reported speech. We know that
every Universal truth should be represented inSimple Present Tense.
Ans: C

Examples

Direct Speech:
* Sarojini said, "I love to read novels."
* He exclaimed, "What a beautiful sunset!"
* "I will be there at 6 o'clock," said Jagadeesh.
* "Please don't disturb me," she pleaded.
* "I have finished my homework," said Satish.

Indirect Speech:
* Sarojini said that she loved to read novels.
* He exclaimed (with wonder) that it was a beautiful sunset.

4/5
*Jagadeesh said that he would be there at 6 o'clock.
* She pleaded not to be disturbed (by anyone).
* Satish said that he had finished his homework.In the examples above, the first set of
sentences represents direct speech, where the exact words spoken are enclosed within
quotation marks. The second set of sentences demonstrates the corresponding indirect
speech, where the reported statements are transformed to reflect the meaning or content of
the original speech.

5/5
Direct Speech and Indirect Speech
pratibha.eenadu.net/admissions/lesson/icet/telangana/english-medium/education/1-2-19-410-559-241-5698-8142-
20040009165

Direct speech Indirect speech

Present perfect simple Past perfect simple

She said, "I've been on the web since ›She said that she had been on the web since
1999." 1999.

Present perfect continuous Past perfect continuous

She said, "I've been teaching English ‣ She said that she had been teaching English for
for seven years." seven years.

Past simple Past perfect

She said, "I taught online yesterday. ‣ She said that she had taught online yesterday

Past continuous Past perfect continuous

She said, "I was teaching earlier." ‣ She said that she had been teaching earlier.

Past perfect Past perfect

She said, "The lesson had already ‣ NO CHANGE - She said that the lesson had
started when he arrived." already started when he arrived.

Past perfect continuous Past perfect continuous

She said, "I'd already been teaching ​‣ NO CHANGE - She said that she had already
for five minutes." been teaching for five minutes.

Modal Verb Cases

1/4
.

* Indirect speech can be introduced by a verb in a present tense usually when we are:
1. reporting a conversation that is still going on.
2. reading a letter or something else and reporting what it said.
3. reading instructions and reporting them.
4. reporting a statement that someone makes very often.
e.g.: Rani says, “I will never get married.”
Rani says that she will never get married.
* when the introductory verb (reporting verb) is in a present, present perfect or future
tense (less common), the tense of the direct speech does not change.
e.g.: He has just said, “My master is writing letters."
He has just said (that) his master is writing letters.
5. Adverb (Time) Change: If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you
must change it to fit in with the time of reporting. For example, we need to change words like
here and yesterday if they have different meanings at the time and place of reporting. The
following are the adverbs or expressions of time, if the direct speech happens to be
reported on a different day.
వివరణ: అయిదోది మరియు చివరిదీ అయిన ఈ మార్పులో Adverbs ను (డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ పార్ట్‌లో ఒకవేళ ఉంటే) దానికి
అనుగుణంగా మార్చి రాయాలి. Words expressing nearness are generally changed into words
expressing distance.
Expressions like -- this (evening), today ,yesterday, these(days), now, (a week) ago, last
weekend, here, next (week), tomorrow etc. become that(evening), that day, the previous day/
the day before, those(days), then, (a week) before, the weekend before / the previous
weekend, there, the following (week), the next/following day etc.,

CONVERSION OF ADVERB

2/4
e.g. She said, “I will come tomorrow.” ↔ She said that she would come the next day.
. పైన ఇచ్చిన పట్టికల్లోని విషయ పరిజ్ఞానంతో వివిధ రకాల వాక్యాలను డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్‌లోకి మార్చిన
ఉదాహరణలు ఇవిగో...

SAMPLING OF TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES

FROM DIRECT SPEECH INTO INDIRECT SPEECH
* Statements (Declarative Sentences)
Case 1: Plain Statements
e.g. Direct Speech :She said to him, “I am very busy now.”
Indirect Speech: She told him that she was very busy then.
Case 2: Universal Truths (where tense change is not applicable)
e.g. Direct Speech: The teacher said, “The earth moves round the sun.”
Indirect Speech: The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

* Questions ( Interrogative Sentences)

Case 1: Wh-words & How
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where are you going now?”
Indirect Speech:She asked him where he was going then.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Where do you work?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him where he worked.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “How do you go to office?”
Indirect Speech:She asked him how he went to office.

3/4
Case 2: Yes-No Questions
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him if he played cricket.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Do you play cricket?”
Indirect Speech: She asked him whether he played cricket.

* Orders, Requests, Suggestions etc., ( Imperative Sentences)

Case 1: Positive Sentences
e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She ordered him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She told him to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She requested him to open the door.

Case 2: Negative Sentences

e.g. Direct Speech: She said to him, “Don’t open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She ordered him not to open the door.
Direct Speech: She said to him, “Please don’t open the door.”
Indirect Speech: She requested him not to open the door.

* Exclamatory Sentences
Case 1: Positive feeling
Direct Speech: She said, “What a nice shot!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was a nice shot.

Case 2: Negative feeling

Direct Speech: She said, “How disgusting!”
Indirect Speech: She exclaimed and said that it was very disgusting.
కాబట్టి ఈ విధమైన సమగ్ర సమాచార సహాయంతో ఒక వాక్యాన్ని డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ నుంచి ఇన్‌డై రెక్ట్ స్పీచ్ (రిపోర్టెడ్
స్పీచ్)లోకి సులభంగా మార్చవచ్చు. దీనికి కావల్సిందల్లా తగినంత ప్రాక్టీస్. అందుకోసం ఈకింద ఇచ్చిన అభ్యాసాలను
సాధనచేసి, జవాబులు సరిచూసుకోండి.

4/4
Narration (Direct-Indirect)
education.sakshi.com/en/ssc-exams/study-material/general-english/narration-direct-indirect-45654

Definition: When we express someone's words in our own words, it is called - "Indirect
Speech" and when we express someone's words as it is, it is called - "Direct Speech".

For examples-
He said to me, "I write a letter". (Direct)
He told me that he wrote a letter, (indirect)

Rules for changing "Direct Speech" into "Indirect Speech".

1. Reporting verb is changed according to the form and sense of the sentence.
2. Inverted commas are removed in the indirect-speech.
3. Connective word is used in the beginning of the reported speech.
4. Verb of the reported speech is changed according to the form and sense of the
sentence.
5. Persons of the reported speech are changed.
6. Words showing nearness, time or place are changed.

For example - 'yesterday' is changed into "the previous day".

Type - 1 (Assertive Sentences)

Rule I:- Rules for changing reporting verb -

Direct Indirect

Say, says (without object) No Change

Say to, Says to (with object) Tell, Tells

Said (without object) No Change

Said to (with object) Told

Rule 2: Comma and inverted commas are removed in the indirect speech and connective
word 'that' is used in the indirect speech.

1/5
Rule 3:- If reporting verb is written in the present or future tense then the tense of the
reported verb is not changed in the indirect speech.

Rule 4:- Rules for change of "Helping Verb".

Direct Indirect

Is, am Was

Are Were

Has, Have Had

Shall, Will Would

Can Could

May Might

Do, Does Did

Must No Change

Should No change

Had No Change

Would No Change

Could No change

Rules 5:- Rules for change of words showing nearness.

Direct Indirect

This That

2/5
 These Those

Here There

Now/ just Then

Today That day

Yesterday The previous day

Tomorrow The next day

Tonight That night

Last night the previous night

For example -
1. He says, "I take coffee". (Direct)
He says that he takes coffee. (Indirect)
2. He is saying, "I was suffering from fever". (Direct)
He is saying that he was suffering from fever. (Indirect)
3. My friend said, "I am fine".
My friend said that he was fine.
4. She said to me, "You are right".
She told me that I was right.
5. Mohan said, "I am doing work".
Mohan said that he was doing work.
6. Radha said, "I have finished her work".
Radha said that she had finished her work.
7. You said to me, "I went to Mumbai".
You told me that you had gone to Mumbai.
8. He said, "The bus had left".
He said that the bus had left.
9. He said, "I shall bring your book tomorrow".
He said that he would bring my book the next day.
10. The teacher said to me, "The boy will go on a picnic".
The teacher told me that the boy would go on a picnic.

3/5
 11. He said, "Man is mortal".
He said that man is mortal.
12. You say, "I am doing work".
You say that you are doing work.
13. I say to him, "You cannot win the match".
I tell him that he cannot win the match.
14. They say to me, "We shall help you".
They tell me that they will help me.
15. She says to me, "I did not break you pen".
She tells me that she did not break my pen.

Type -II (Interrogative Sentences)

Rule I- Connective word 'that' is not used in the indirect speech.
Rule II- Reporting verb is changed into 'ask' or 'asked' in the indirect speech.
Rule III - Mark of interrogation (?) is removed in the indirect speech.

For example-

1. He said to me, "Are you studying?"

He asked me if I was studying.
2. He said to me, "Have you done your work?"
He asked me if I had done my work.
3. She said to me, "Do you take tea?"
She asked me if I took tea.
4. He said to me, "Did you take lunch?"
He asked me if I had taken lunch.
5. She said to me, "Can you do it?"
She asked me if I could do it.
6. He said to me, "What are you doing?"
He asked me what I was doing.
7. She said to me, “How old are you?"
She asked me how old I was.
8. He said to me, "Why do you play cricket?"
He asked me why 1 played cricket.
9. She said to me, "Where do you come from?"
She asked me where I came from.
10. I said to Ram, "Which is your pen?"
I asked Ram which his pen was.

Type - III (Imperative Sentences)

Rule - I:- Reporting verb is changed into asked ordered, requested, advised, proposed,
suggested or forbade etc.

4/5
Rule - II:- Connective word 'that' is not used.
Rule - III:- 'To' is used before the verb of the reported speech. For example-
1. He said to the servant, "Open the door".
He ordered the servant to open the door.
2. My father said to me, "Study hard".
My father advised me to study hard.
3. He said to me, "Please give me your pen".
He requested me to give him my pen.
4. I said to him, "Let me do it".
I requested him to let me do it.
5. I said, "Let me speak first".
I requested to let me speak first.

Type - IV (Exclamatory and Optative Sentences)

Rule I: - Reporting verb is changed into -exclaimed with joy or with sorrow or with surprise,
applauded, wished, prayed etc.
Rule II- Words of exclamations, i.e., Hurrah, alas, ah, Oh! Etc. are removed.
Rule III- Mark of exclamation (!) is removed.
Rule IV- Connective word 'that' is used.

For example-
1. He said, "Alas! I am ruined."
He exclaimed with sorrow that he was ruined.
2. My friend said, "Hurrah! I have won the match."
My friend exclaimed with joy that he had won the match.
3. She said, "What a beautiful scenery!"
She exclaimed with surprise that it was a very beautiful scenery.
4. The Caption said, "Bravo! Well done."
The Caption applauded saying that they had done well.
5. He said, "Good morning, boys!"
He wished good morning to boys.

Prepared by,
IACE, Hyderabad.

Published date : 11 Jun 2015 01:09PM

5/5
 www.sakshieducation.com

Direct and Indirect Speech

There two ways to convey a message of a person, or the words spoken by a person to
other person.
1. Direct speech
2. Indirect speech

Suppose your friend whose name is John tells you in school, “I will give you a pen”. You
come to home and you want to tell your brother what your friend told you. There are two
ways to tell him.

We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:

I) We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.
ii) We may report what he said without quoting his exact words. This is called Indirect
(or Reported) Speech.

Direct: Rama said, “I am very busy now.”

Indirect: Rama said that he was very busy then.

It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact
words of the speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not.
It will be further noticed that in changing the above Direct Speech into Indirect certain
changes have been made.

Thus,
i) We have used the conjunction ‘that’ before the Indirect statement.
ii) The pronoun ‘I’ is changed to ‘he’. (The Pronoun is changed in Person.)
iii) The verb ‘am’ is changed to ‘was’. (Present Tense is changed to Past.)
iv) The adverb ‘now’ is changed to ‘then’.

Rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect:

When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all Present tenses of the Direct
are changed into the corresponding Past Tenses.
Thus:
a) A simple present becomes a simple past.
Direct: He said, “I am unwell.”
Indirect: He said (that) he was unwell.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

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,

c) A present perfect becomes a past perfect.

Direct: He said, “I have passed the examination.”
Indirect: He said (that) he had passed the examination.

Note: The ‘shall’ of the Future Tense is changed into should. The ‘will’ of the Future
Tense is changed into would or should.

As a rule, the simple past in the Direct becomes the past perfect in the Indirect.
Direct: He said, “The horse died in the night.”
Indirect: He said that the horse had died in the night.

If the reporting verb is in the Present Tense, the tenses of the Direct Speech do not
change. For example, we may rewrite the above examples, putting the reporting verb in
the Present Tense, thus:
• He says he is unwell.
• He has just said his master is writing letters.
• He says he has passed the examination.
• He says the horse died in the night.

The pronouns of the Direct Speech are changed, where necessary, so that their relations
with the reporter and his hearer, rather than with the original speaker, are indicated. To be
a little clearer, the change of pronouns can be explained like this. The pronouns of the
first person are changed to the pronouns of the same person as the subject of the reporting
verb.
She said, “I am busy” (Direct)
She said that she was busy (Indirect)
I said, “I am busy” (Direct)
I said that I was busy (Indirect)
You said, “I am busy” (Direct)
You said that you were busy (Indirect)
He said, “I am busy” (Direct)
He said that he was busy (Indirect)
They said, “We are busy” (Direct)

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

They said that they were busy (Indirect)

We said, “We are busy” (Direct)
We said that we were busy (Indirect)

The pronouns of second person are changed to the pronouns of the same person as the
object of the reporting verb.

Observe the following examples:

Direct : He said to me, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : He told me that he didn’t believe me
Direct : She said to him, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : She told him that she didn’t believe him
Direct : I said to him, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : I told him that I didn’t believe him.
Direct : I said to you, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : I told you that I didn’t believe you.

Words expressing nearness in time or place are generally changed into words expressing
distance.
Thus:
Now becomes then to-day becomes that day
Here becomes there to-morrow becomes the next day
Ago becomes before yesterday becomes the day before
Thus becomes so last night becomes the night before

Direct: He said, “I am glad to be here this evening.”

Indirect: He said that he was glad to be there that evening.

The changes do not occur if the speech is reported during the same period or at the same
place;
Ex: Direct: He says, “I am glad to be here this evening.”
Indirect: He says he is glad to be here this evening.
Similarly, this and these are changed to that and those unless the thing pointed out is
near at hand at the time of reporting the speech.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

Questions:
In reporting questions, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some such verbs as asked,
inquired, wanted to know, interrogated etc.
When the question is not introduced by an interrogative word, the reporting verb is
followed by whether or if.
Direct : He said to me, “What are you doing?”
Indirect : He asked me what I was doing.
Direct : “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
Indirect : The stranger enquired where I live.
Direct : The policeman said to us, “Where are you going?”
Indirect : The policeman enquired where we were going.
Direct : He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
Indirect : He asked them/me whether they/I would listen to such a man.
Direct : “Do you suppose you know better than your own father?”
Jeered his angry mother.
Indirect : His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew
better than his own father.

Commands and Requests:

In reporting commands and requests, the Indirect speech is introduced by some verb
expressing command or request, and the Imperative mood is changed into the Infinitive.
Direct : Rama said to Arjun, “Go away,”
Indirect : Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
Direct : He said to him, “Please wait here till I return.”
Indirect : He requested him to wait there till he returned.
Direct : “Call the first witness.” said the judge,
Indirect : The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
Direct : He shouted, “Let me go.”
Indirect : He shouted to them to let him go.
Direct : He said, “Be quiet and listen to my words.”
Indirect : He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.

Exclamations and Wishes

In reporting exclamations and wishes the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb
expressing exclamation or wish.
Direct. He said, “Alas! I am undone,”
Indirect. He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

Direct : Alice said, “How clever I am!”

Indirect : Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Direct : He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
Indirect : He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Direct : “So help me Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again.”
Indirect : He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.

Change the following into direct speech or indirect speech

I.
1) He said, “The earth moves round the sun”.
2) They said, “A bad carpenter quarrels with his tools”.
3) The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east”.
4) The boys said, “Oil floats on water”.
5) She said, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”.

II.
1) She said, “I am very poor”.
2) He said, “We are in the playground”.
3) Mohit said, “I don’t believe you”.
4) John said to Mary, “You are innocent”.
5) My father said to me, “They are late”.

III.
1) She said, “It may rain”.
2) The boy said, “I can do it”.
3) He said to me, “I shall meet your father”.
4) Joseph said, “I will go home soon”.
5) She said, “I can’t agree with you”.
6) Raman said, “I have a problem”.
7) The officer said to the clerk, “You must do it”.
8) Balu said, “I don’t drink coffee”.
9) Geeta said, “Rajashree will not lie”.
10) Vidya said, “Sachin has a car”.

IV.
1) The boy said, “I am doing my homework”.
2) Ravi said, “I have met your brother”.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

3) Seetha said, “I waited for Ramu till 10 o’ clock”.

4) Rahim said, “John will have met the governor”.
5) He said, “It is time I went to bed”.
6) Radha said, “I was watching T.V.”
7) He said, “I have bought a watch for you”.
8) Sunita said, “I have been working on this novel for five years”.
9) My father said to me, “You have done your work well”.
10) Mohan said to me, “I met Suresh in Mumbai”.
11) Abhinav said, “I have not stolen the necklace”.
12) The villager said to the stranger, “I have never seen you”.
13) Srinivas said, “I am reading a novel”.
14) Shahid said, “My father went to Guntur yesterday”.
15) He said, “The children are having a bath now”.

V
1) He said to me, “Who lives in this house”?
2) “Do you know when she will go home?” I said to him.
3) Ramesh said to me, “How are you feeling?”
4) She said, “Can you help me?”
5) I said to him, “What are you doing here today?”
6) My friend said, “Is Mr. Rao on leave?”
7) Sumitra said, “Shall I switch on the fan?”
8) She said, “Why didn’t he come?”
9) Nirmala said to her friend, “Which magazines do you usually read?”
10) He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”

VI
1) Rama said to Arjun, “Go away”.
2) He said to him, “Please wait here till I return”.
3) “Call the first witness”, said the Judge.
4) “Open fire”, the officer said to the soldiers.
5) My friend said, “Lets sing together”.
6) Mary’s father said to the Principal, “Please pardon my daughter”.
7) They said to us, “Grow more trees”.
8) The doctor said, “You must exercise every day”.
9) He said, “Sit down”.
10) The manager said to the clerk, “Don’t come late”.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

VII
1) “May you live long”, she said.
2) He said, “How beautiful the garden is!”
3) He said, “Alas! I am undone”.
4) “Many happy returns of the day”, said Mohsin.
5) Harsha said to Susheela, “Good Morning”.
6) He said, “Bravo! You have been well”.
7) She said, “My God! I am ruined”.
8) He said, “May your daughter recover soon”.
9) “So help me, Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again”.
10) Alice said, “How clever I am!”

Answer
I.
1) He said that the earth moves round the sun.
2) They said that a bad carpenter quarrels with his tools.
3) The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.
4) The boys said that oil floats on water.
5) She said that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

II.
1) She said that she was very poor.
2) He said that they were in the playground.
3) Mohit said that he didn’t believe me.
4) John told Mary that she was innocent.
5) My father told me that they were late.

III.
1) She said that it might rain.
2) The boy said that he could do it.
3) He told me that he would meet my father.
4) Joseph said that he would go home soon.
5) She said that she couldn’t agree with me.
6) Raman said that he had a problem.
7) The officer told the clerk that he had to do it.
8) Balu said that he didn’t drink coffee.
9) Geeta said that Rajashree would not lie.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

10) Vidya said that Sachin had a car.

IV.
1) The boy said that he was doing his homework.
2) Ravi said that he had met my brother.
3) Seetha said that she had waited for Ramu till 10 o’ clock.
4) Rahim said that John would have met the governor.
5) He said that it was time he went to bed.
6) Radha said that she had been watching T.V.
7) He said that he had bought a watch for me.
8) Sunita said that she had been working on that novel for five years.
9) My father told me that I had done my work well.
10) Mohan told me that he had met Suresh in Mumbai.
11) Abhinav said that he had not stolen the necklace.
12) The villager told the stranger that he had never seen him.
13) Srinivas said that he was reading a novel.
14) Shahid said that his father had gone to Guntur the previous day.
15) He said that the children were having a bath then.

V.
1) He asked me who lived in that house.
2) I asked him if he knew when she would go home.
3) Ramesh asked me how I was feeling.
4) She asked me if I could help her.
5) I asked him what he was doing there that day.
6) My friend asked if Mr. Rao was on leave.
7) Sumitra asked whether she should switch on the fan.
8) She wondered why he didn’t come.
9) Nirmala asked her friend which magazines she usually read.
10) He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.

VI.
1) Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
2) He requested him to wait there till he returned.
3) The Judge commanded/ordered them to call the first witness.
4) The officer ordered/commanded the soldiers to open fire.
5) My friend suggested/proposed that we should sing together.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

6) Mary’s father requested/begged the Principal to pardon his daughter.

7) They urged us to grow more trees.
8) The doctor advised me to exercise every day.
9) He asked me to sit down.
10) The manager advised/warned the clerk not to come late.

VII.
1) She wished/prayed that I might live long.
2) He exclaimed that the garden was very beautiful.
3) He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
4) Mohsin wished him/her many happy returns of the day.
5) Harsha wished Susheela good morning.
6) He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
7) She exclaimed bitterly that she was ruined.
8) He prayed/hoped that my daughter might recover soon.
9) He called upon Heaven to witness his resolution to never steal again.
10) Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.

www.sakshieducation.com