Edunes Online Education
Edunes Online Education
DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH – Think It, Don’t Memorise It
🧠 MEMORY KEY: Direct Speech = Camera Recording 🎥
Indirect Speech = News Reporter 📰
One shows exact words. The other reports meaning.
Indirect Speech = News Reporter 📰
One shows exact words. The other reports meaning.
1️⃣ What is Direct Speech?
Direct Speech tells the exact words spoken by someone.
It uses inverted commas (" ").
It uses inverted commas (" ").
"I will be late," said Santosh.
🧠 THINK: Imagine you pressed a recording button.
Whatever the speaker said is captured exactly.
Whatever the speaker said is captured exactly.
2️⃣ What is Indirect Speech?
Indirect Speech reports the meaning of what was said
without using inverted commas.
Santosh said that he would be late.
🧠 THINK: Now you are telling your friend what Santosh said.
You are not copying — you are explaining.
3️⃣ The 3 Big Brain Changes (While Converting)
🧠 FORMULA TO REMEMBER:
Speech Change = Tense Change + Pronoun Change + Structure Change
Speech Change = Tense Change + Pronoun Change + Structure Change
A. Tense Change
If the reporting verb is in the past (said, told),
the tense usually moves one step back.
| Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|
| will | would |
| is/am | was |
| are | were |
| have/has | had |
🧠 WHY? Because you are reporting something said earlier.
The time moves backward.
"I am tired," she said.
→ She said that she was tired.
⚠ Exception: If the statement is still true, tense does not change.
The doctor said, "My blood group is B positive."
→ The doctor said that his blood group is B positive.
B. Pronoun Change
Pronouns change according to the speaker.
| Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|
| I | He/She |
| My | His/Her |
| We | They |
🧠 THINK: Ask — Who is speaking?
Replace the pronoun accordingly.
Replace the pronoun accordingly.
4️⃣ Commands & Requests
Use reporting verbs like: told, ordered, requested, asked.
Imperative verb changes to to + verb.
"Bring the book," she said.
→ She told me to bring the book.
Negative commands: "Don't" becomes not to.
"Don't run," the teacher said.
→ The teacher told us not to run.
🧠 COMMAND FORMULA:
Verb → to + verb
Don't → not to
Verb → to + verb
Don't → not to
5️⃣ Reporting Questions
Reported questions are no longer questions.
They end with a full stop.
They end with a full stop.
A. WH- Questions
"Where do you live?" he asked.
→ He asked where I lived.
🧠 Keep the WH-word.
Remove question format. Make it a statement.
Remove question format. Make it a statement.
B. Yes/No Questions
Use if or whether.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
→ She asked if I was ready.
🧠 QUESTION RULE:
No question mark ❌
Use statement order ✔
Add if/whether for Yes/No ✔
Use statement order ✔
Add if/whether for Yes/No ✔
6️⃣ Quick Brain Checklist Before Final Answer
✔ Did I remove inverted commas?
✔ Did I change the tense (if needed)?
✔ Did I change the pronoun correctly?
✔ Did I adjust the sentence structure?
✔ Did I change the tense (if needed)?
✔ Did I change the pronoun correctly?
✔ Did I adjust the sentence structure?
🎯 MASTER KEY:
Direct Speech = Copy Words
Indirect Speech = Copy Meaning
Direct Speech = Copy Words
Indirect Speech = Copy Meaning
Exercise Solutions
Exercise A: Complete the second sentence in indirect speech.
1. Gita said to Dharam, "We haven't finished our homework."
2. The doctor said, "You can go to school from tomorrow, Smriti."
3. Nilesh says, "I went to the circus yesterday."
4. She said, "We are worried about the damage caused by the fire."
5. Abhilasha said, "I play the piano very well."
6. Grandmother said, "I like travelling by bus."
2. The doctor said, "You can go to school from tomorrow, Smriti."
3. Nilesh says, "I went to the circus yesterday."
4. She said, "We are worried about the damage caused by the fire."
5. Abhilasha said, "I play the piano very well."
6. Grandmother said, "I like travelling by bus."
Answers:
1. Gita told Dharam that they hadn't finished their homework.
2. The doctor told Smriti that she could go to school.
3. Nilesh said that he had gone to the circus the day before.
4. She said that they were worried about the damage caused by the fire.
5. Abhilasha said that she played the piano very well.
6. Grandmother said that she liked travelling by bus.
2. The doctor told Smriti that she could go to school.
3. Nilesh said that he had gone to the circus the day before.
4. She said that they were worried about the damage caused by the fire.
5. Abhilasha said that she played the piano very well.
6. Grandmother said that she liked travelling by bus.
Exercise B: Choose the correct reporting verbs from the brackets to complete these sentences.
1. Alfred ________ that they visit Padma, who was unwell. (suggested / recommended)
2. Punit ________ to having lied to her about the broken glass. (admitted / stated)
3. Ashmi ________ that they stay at a homestay since it was more comfortable. (reported / recommended)
4. Waris ________ that he was going to Pondicherry with his friends. (suggested / mentioned)
5. The tour organiser ________ that they would be very tired by the time they reached Manali. (confirmed / predicted)
6. Janaki ________ to help her mother set the table. (requested / offered)
7. They ________ that they had already booked their tickets to Goa. (confirmed / suggested)
8. The caretaker ________ us that there would be no water the next day. (offered / informed)
2. Punit ________ to having lied to her about the broken glass. (admitted / stated)
3. Ashmi ________ that they stay at a homestay since it was more comfortable. (reported / recommended)
4. Waris ________ that he was going to Pondicherry with his friends. (suggested / mentioned)
5. The tour organiser ________ that they would be very tired by the time they reached Manali. (confirmed / predicted)
6. Janaki ________ to help her mother set the table. (requested / offered)
7. They ________ that they had already booked their tickets to Goa. (confirmed / suggested)
8. The caretaker ________ us that there would be no water the next day. (offered / informed)
Answers:
1. suggested
2. admitted
3. recommended
4. mentioned
5. predicted
6. offered
7. confirmed
8. informed
2. admitted
3. recommended
4. mentioned
5. predicted
6. offered
7. confirmed
8. informed
Exercise C: Change these commands and requests from direct speech to indirect speech.
1. The teacher said to the girls, "Please be quiet in the classroom."
2. Mother said to Bhavesh, "Clean your room right now."
3. Samina said to Varun, "Please give me a glue stick."
4. She said to the boys in the back row, "Stop whispering in class."
5. Mother said to us, "Be careful when you cross the road."
6. She said to the passer-by, "Please tell me how to get to the bus stop."
7. The teacher said to Pinky, "Stop interrupting the class; let Minakshi finish speaking."
2. Mother said to Bhavesh, "Clean your room right now."
3. Samina said to Varun, "Please give me a glue stick."
4. She said to the boys in the back row, "Stop whispering in class."
5. Mother said to us, "Be careful when you cross the road."
6. She said to the passer-by, "Please tell me how to get to the bus stop."
7. The teacher said to Pinky, "Stop interrupting the class; let Minakshi finish speaking."
Answers:
1. The teacher requested the girls to be quiet in the classroom.
2. Mother told Bhavesh to clean his room right then.
3. Samina requested Varun to give her a glue stick.
4. She ordered the boys in the back row to stop whispering in class.
5. Mother told us to be careful when we crossed the road.
6. She asked the passer-by to tell her how to get to the bus stop.
7. The teacher ordered Pinky to stop interrupting the class and let Minakshi finish speaking.
2. Mother told Bhavesh to clean his room right then.
3. Samina requested Varun to give her a glue stick.
4. She ordered the boys in the back row to stop whispering in class.
5. Mother told us to be careful when we crossed the road.
6. She asked the passer-by to tell her how to get to the bus stop.
7. The teacher ordered Pinky to stop interrupting the class and let Minakshi finish speaking.
Exercise D: Change these sentences from indirect speech to direct speech.
1. She said to the police officer that her bag was stolen the day before.
2. Adil said that he was tired after walking ten kilometres.
3. Daisy stated that she liked painting more than reading.
4. Francis said that Tom and I must meet his father.
5. Grandmother complained that she could not find her walking stick.
6. Sara said that she needed to go to the market that day.
7. Rohan said that he had lost Sunny's ruler.
2. Adil said that he was tired after walking ten kilometres.
3. Daisy stated that she liked painting more than reading.
4. Francis said that Tom and I must meet his father.
5. Grandmother complained that she could not find her walking stick.
6. Sara said that she needed to go to the market that day.
7. Rohan said that he had lost Sunny's ruler.
Answers:
1. She said to the police officer, "My bag was stolen yesterday."
2. Adil said, "I am tired after walking ten kilometres."
3. Daisy stated, "I like painting more than reading."
4. Francis said, "Tom and I must meet my father."
5. Grandmother complained, "I cannot find my walking stick."
6. Sara said, "I need to go to the market today."
7. Rohan said, "I have lost Sunny's ruler."
2. Adil said, "I am tired after walking ten kilometres."
3. Daisy stated, "I like painting more than reading."
4. Francis said, "Tom and I must meet my father."
5. Grandmother complained, "I cannot find my walking stick."
6. Sara said, "I need to go to the market today."
7. Rohan said, "I have lost Sunny's ruler."
Exercise E: Change these wh- questions from direct speech to indirect speech.
1. He asked, "Where is the metro station?"
2. I asked, "What is the time?"
3. Kavya asked, "What does this sentence mean, Mother?"
4. Diya asked Richa, "Which one is your book?"
5. Karen said, "Who are you looking for?"
6. I asked, "How will the machine work?"
7. Tara said, "When will you come to my house?"
2. I asked, "What is the time?"
3. Kavya asked, "What does this sentence mean, Mother?"
4. Diya asked Richa, "Which one is your book?"
5. Karen said, "Who are you looking for?"
6. I asked, "How will the machine work?"
7. Tara said, "When will you come to my house?"
Answers:
1. He enquired where the metro station was.
2. I wanted to know what the time was.
3. Kavya asked her mother what that sentence meant.
4. Diya wanted to know which one was her book.
5. Karen enquired who they were looking for.
6. I tried to find out how the machine would work.
7. Tara enquired when I/they would come to her house.
2. I wanted to know what the time was.
3. Kavya asked her mother what that sentence meant.
4. Diya wanted to know which one was her book.
5. Karen enquired who they were looking for.
6. I tried to find out how the machine would work.
7. Tara enquired when I/they would come to her house.
Exercise F: Change these questions from indirect speech to direct speech.
1. Supriya wondered where her photo frame was.
2. The teacher wanted to know why Hannah looked so pale.
3. He wanted to know how cold it was in Ladakh.
4. The postman wondered why people had stopped sending postcards.
5. Jane tried to find out what Zarina would be doing after she finished school.
6. The elderly woman requested me to help her cross the road.
7. Mother asked Sam if he had seen her spectacles.
8. Revathi asked the tailor if he would have the suit ready by the next evening.
9. Babita asked Namita if she had fever.
2. The teacher wanted to know why Hannah looked so pale.
3. He wanted to know how cold it was in Ladakh.
4. The postman wondered why people had stopped sending postcards.
5. Jane tried to find out what Zarina would be doing after she finished school.
6. The elderly woman requested me to help her cross the road.
7. Mother asked Sam if he had seen her spectacles.
8. Revathi asked the tailor if he would have the suit ready by the next evening.
9. Babita asked Namita if she had fever.
Answers:
1. Supriya asked, "Where is my photo frame?"
2. The teacher asked, "Why does Hannah look so pale?"
3. He asked, "How cold is it in Ladakh?"
4. The postman asked, "Why have people stopped sending postcards?"
5. Jane asked, "What will Zarina be doing after she finishes school?"
6. The elderly woman said, "Please help me cross the road."
7. Mother asked Sam, "Have you seen my spectacles?"
8. Revathi asked the tailor, "Will you have the suit ready by tomorrow evening?"
9. Babita asked Namita, "Do you have fever?"
2. The teacher asked, "Why does Hannah look so pale?"
3. He asked, "How cold is it in Ladakh?"
4. The postman asked, "Why have people stopped sending postcards?"
5. Jane asked, "What will Zarina be doing after she finishes school?"
6. The elderly woman said, "Please help me cross the road."
7. Mother asked Sam, "Have you seen my spectacles?"
8. Revathi asked the tailor, "Will you have the suit ready by tomorrow evening?"
9. Babita asked Namita, "Do you have fever?"
Exercise G: Change these questions from direct speech to indirect speech.
1. Sushil asked, "Am I supposed to bring anything?"
2. Lakshmi asked, "Is that your jacket?"
3. Stuti asked, "Does this bus go to Park Street?"
4. Aunt Becky asked, "Have you had breakfast?"
5. Sandesh asked, "Will you please tell Sameera that I will be late?"
6. I asked, "Were they angry with you?"
7. Janice asked, "Can you ask your sister to call me?"
2. Lakshmi asked, "Is that your jacket?"
3. Stuti asked, "Does this bus go to Park Street?"
4. Aunt Becky asked, "Have you had breakfast?"
5. Sandesh asked, "Will you please tell Sameera that I will be late?"
6. I asked, "Were they angry with you?"
7. Janice asked, "Can you ask your sister to call me?"
Answers:
1. Sushil asked if he was supposed to bring anything.
2. Lakshmi asked if that was my jacket.
3. Stuti asked if that bus went to Park Street.
4. Aunt Becky asked if I had had breakfast.
5. Sandesh asked if I would tell Sameera that he would be late.
6. I asked if they had been angry with me.
7. Janice asked if I could ask my sister to call her.
2. Lakshmi asked if that was my jacket.
3. Stuti asked if that bus went to Park Street.
4. Aunt Becky asked if I had had breakfast.
5. Sandesh asked if I would tell Sameera that he would be late.
6. I asked if they had been angry with me.
7. Janice asked if I could ask my sister to call her.
Exercise H: Change these indirect questions to direct speech.
1. My friend enquired if I required so many books to prepare for the science exam.
2. Sukanya asked whether Komal knew the way to Eden Gardens.
3. Sujata asked if Grandfather would take her to the swimming club in the evening.
4. She asked whether the artist had the time to draw her father's portrait.
5. The principal asked whether all the students were present for the practice.
6. Suhavi asked if I had finished my project.
7. Aditya asked whether we were going to the Botanical Gardens or not.
2. Sukanya asked whether Komal knew the way to Eden Gardens.
3. Sujata asked if Grandfather would take her to the swimming club in the evening.
4. She asked whether the artist had the time to draw her father's portrait.
5. The principal asked whether all the students were present for the practice.
6. Suhavi asked if I had finished my project.
7. Aditya asked whether we were going to the Botanical Gardens or not.
Answers:
1. My friend asked, "Do you require so many books to prepare for the science exam?"
2. Sukanya asked, "Does Komal know the way to Eden Gardens?"
3. Sujata asked, "Will Grandfather take me to the swimming club in the evening?"
4. She asked, "Did the artist have the time to draw my father's portrait?"
5. The principal asked, "Are all the students present for the practice?"
6. Suhavi asked, "Have you finished your project?"
7. Aditya asked, "Are we going to the Botanical Gardens or not?"
2. Sukanya asked, "Does Komal know the way to Eden Gardens?"
3. Sujata asked, "Will Grandfather take me to the swimming club in the evening?"
4. She asked, "Did the artist have the time to draw my father's portrait?"
5. The principal asked, "Are all the students present for the practice?"
6. Suhavi asked, "Have you finished your project?"
7. Aditya asked, "Are we going to the Botanical Gardens or not?"
Exercise I: Change these negative questions from direct speech to indirect speech.
1. Shalini asked, "Will you not visit us this year?"
2. Mother asked, "Don't you want to prepare for your tests?"
3. I asked, "Am I not your lab partner?"
4. Rituja asked, "Can't you meet me before dinner?"
5. I asked, "Aren't you part of the school basketball team?"
2. Mother asked, "Don't you want to prepare for your tests?"
3. I asked, "Am I not your lab partner?"
4. Rituja asked, "Can't you meet me before dinner?"
5. I asked, "Aren't you part of the school basketball team?"
Answers:
1. Shalini asked if they would not visit them that year.
2. Mother asked if I didn't want to prepare for my tests.
3. I asked if I was not his/her lab partner.
4. Rituja asked if I couldn't meet her before dinner.
5. I asked if he/she wasn't part of the school basketball team.
2. Mother asked if I didn't want to prepare for my tests.
3. I asked if I was not his/her lab partner.
4. Rituja asked if I couldn't meet her before dinner.
5. I asked if he/she wasn't part of the school basketball team.
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