Indirect Speech

Worksheet: Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Changing Tenses

Present Simple Past Simple

Anna: “I watch TV every evening.” She said (that) she watched TV every
evening.

Present Continuous Past Continuous

Tom : “We are studying for the exam” He said (that) they were studying for the
exam.

Present Perfect Past Perfect

Gerald: “I have visited Paris before.” He said (that) had visited Paris before.

Past Simple Past Perfect

Sarah: “I bought the fruit yesterday.” She said (that) she had bought the fruit
the day before.

Will Would
Kate: “I will meet him at the cafe.” She said (that) she would meet him at the
cafe.

Can Could
Dan: “I can swim.” He said (that) he could swim.
 Indirect Speech
Worksheet: Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Exercise: Change the following sentences from Direct to

Indirect Speech.

1 Sarah said, "I like to travel."

2 James said, "We will visit the museum tomorrow."

3 John said, "I have never been to Japan."

4 "I am working on a project," Mary said.

5 "We played football yesterday," Alex exclaimed.

6 "I can speak French," Emily claimed.

7 Mark and Susan said, "We have finished our homework."

8 "I will call you later," Robert promised.

9 "It's raining outside," Emma observed.

10 David said, "I am meeting my friends tonight."

 Indirect Speech
Worksheet: Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Communicative Practice (1)

Instructions:

Part 1: Dictation
The teacher will say a sentence. Listen carefully!
Part 2: Speaking and Listening
Student 1 (S1) will listen to the sentence and tell Student 2 (S2) about it
using indirect speech. (Teachers make sure you check the indirect
speeches before sending S1 to their partners. Look for the key in the
next page.)
Part 3: Writing
Student 2 (S2), listen the indirect speech, writes what they think it is in
the direct speech. Use the words from what S1 said.
Part 4: Repeat
Do the same for more sentences. Keep going until all the sentences are
done. Practice makes perfect!

Text:
"The teacher is teaching a new lesson to the students. Sarah just got
here and saw a pretty rainbow outside the window. Tom and Emily are
good at maths. Last week, they went to a museum in the city. The
weather will be nice tomorrow, so we're going to have a picnic in the
park."

THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR TEACHERS

 Indirect Speech
Worksheet: Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Communicative Practice (2)

Key for S1:

Ms/Mr (class teacher) said that the teacher was teaching a new
lesson to the students.
Ms/Mr (class teacher) said that Sarah had just gotten here and
had seen a pretty rainbow outside the window.
Ms/Mr (class teacher) said that Tom and Emily were good at
maths.
Ms/Mr (class teacher) said that the week before, they had visited a
museum in the city.
Ms/Mr (class teacher) said that the weather would be nice the day
after, so they were going to have a picnic in the park.

THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR TEACHERS

 Indirect Speech
Worksheet: Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Communicative Practice

Worksheet for Student 2:

Please write the sentences in direct speech based on the
information given by your partner (S1).
1. The teacher _______________ a new lesson to the students.
2. Sarah _______________ a beautiful rainbow outside the
window.
3. Tom and Emily _______________ maths.
4. Last week, they _______________ a museum in the city.
5. The weather _______________ nice tomorrow, so we
_______________ a picnic in the park.

Note for Students:

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from what your partner (S1)
told you.
Pay attention to the changes in pronouns, verbs, and time
expressions.
Write the sentences as if the people are speaking directly.