Introduction to Direct and Indirect Speech
Introduction to Direct and Indirect Speech
When we talk or write, we often need to report what someone else has said.
There are two main ways to express another person’s words:
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
Both are used for reporting, but they are used in different ways and follow different rules.
1. Direct Speech – Meaning & Explanation
Direct Speech is the exact repetition of the speaker’s words.
We quote exactly what the person said without changing anything.
How it is written:
The words spoken are placed inside quotation marks (“ ”).
A comma is used before the quoted words.
It often contains a reporting verb like said, asked, replied, shouted, etc.
Purpose:
To show the exact words spoken.
To make the conversation feel real, lively, and expressive.
Examples of Direct Speech:
Rohan said, “I am going to the market.”
The teacher asked, “Who wants to answer this question?”
She said, “I love chocolates.”
He shouted, “Help me!”
Mother said, “Please come home early.”
In all these examples, you can clearly see:
2. Indirect Speech (Reported Speech) – Meaning & Explanation
Indirect Speech tells the meaning of what someone said, but not the exact words.
We do not use quotation marks.
How it is written:
Quotation marks are removed.
Pronouns, tenses, and time expressions often change.
Words like that, if, whether, where, why, etc. are used to connect the sentences.
It sounds more formal and is used in writing, reporting, storytelling, and examinations.
Purpose:
To report someone’s speech in a smooth, narrative form.
To summarise or explain what was said.
To avoid repeating long sentences or unnecessary conversations.
Examples of Indirect Speech:
Direct: Rohan said, “I am going to the market.”
Indirect: Rohan said that he was going to the market.Direct: The teacher asked, “Who wants to answer this question?”
Indirect: The teacher asked who wanted to answer the question.Direct: She said, “I love chocolates.”
Indirect: She said that she loved chocolates.Direct: He shouted, “Help me!”
Indirect: He shouted for help.Direct: Mother said, “Please come home early.”
Indirect: Mother requested me to come home early.
Here, notice that:
Quotes are removed.
Tenses and pronouns are changed.
Words like that, to, or a question word are added.
Difference Between Direct & Indirect Speech (Simple Summary)
Why Do We Need Both?
We use Direct Speech when:
We want to show exact words
We write stories or dialogues
We need strong emotion or expression
We use Indirect Speech when:
We summarise what someone said
We write reports, essays, news, or explanations
We want the message to sound formal or simple
Core Rules of Conversion (Direct → Indirect Speech)
Rule 1: Remove Quotation Marks
In indirect speech, we do not use quotation marks.
Direct: He said, “I am happy.”
Indirect: He said that he was happy.
Rule 2: Change the Tense (if Reporting Verb is in Past Tense)
If the reporting verb (said, asked, told) is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech usually changes:
Direct Speech ~ Indirect Speech
Simple Present → Simple Past
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
Simple Past → Past Perfect
Will → Would
Can → Could
May → Might
Example:
Direct: She said, “I will help you.”
Indirect: She said that she would help me.
Exception: Universal truths do NOT change tense.
Direct: He said, “The sun rises in the east.”
Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.
Rule 3: Pronouns Must Change
Pronouns change according to:
Speaker (1st person)
Listener (2nd person)
Person spoken about (3rd person)
General guideline:
1st person → changes according to subject
Direct: She said, “I am tired.”
Indirect: She said that she was tired.
2nd person → changes according to object
Direct: He told me, “You are late.”
Indirect: He told me that I was late.
3rd person → no change
Direct: She said, “He is eating.”
Indirect: She said that he was eating.
Rule 4: Change Time and Place Words
Direct ~ Indirect
now → then
today → that day
tomorrow → the next day
yesterday → the previous day
next week → the following week
last year → the previous year
here → there
this → that
these → those
Example:
Direct: He said, “I will come tomorrow.”
Indirect: He said that he would come the next day.
Rule 5: Use ‘that’ for Statements
For simple statements (assertive sentences), use that.
Direct: She said, “I like tea.”
Indirect: She said that she liked tea.
Rule 6: Convert Questions Properly
Two types of questions:
A. Yes/No Questions
Use asked + if / whether
Direct: He said, “Do you like apples?”
Indirect: He asked if I liked apples.
B. Wh-Questions
Use the same question word (what, where, why, when, how).
Direct: She said, “Where are you going?”
Indirect: She asked where I was going.
→ Important: Remove question mark.
Rule 7: Commands and Requests Use ‘to + Verb’
Use reporting verbs like: told, ordered, advised, requested, begged
Structure:
told/ordered/asked + object + to + verb
Direct: He said, “Open the door.”
Indirect: He told me to open the door.
Direct: She said, “Please help me.”
Indirect: She requested me to help her.
Rule 8: Negative Commands → Use “not to”
Direct: He said, “Do not shout.”
Indirect: He told me not to shout.
Rule 9: Exclamatory Sentences → Remove Emotion Words
Use reporting verbs like:
exclaimed, exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, shouted, cried out
Direct: She said, “What a beautiful view!”
Indirect: She exclaimed that the view was very beautiful.
Rule 10: No Tense Change if Reporting Verb is in Present/Future
Direct: He says, “I am busy.”
Indirect: He says that he is busy.
Direct: He will say, “I want tea.”
Indirect: He will say that he wants tea.
CHANGE OF TENSES IN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
Tense changes only when the reporting verb is in Past Tense
(e.g., said, told, asked, replied, etc.)
1. Simple Present → Simple Past
Rule:
If the verb in Direct Speech is in Simple Present, change it to Simple Past.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said/told + “Subject + V1 + object”
Indirect: Subject + said/told + that + subject + V2 + object
Examples:
Direct: She said, “I like apples.”
Indirect: She said that she liked apples.
Direct: He said, “They play cricket.”
Indirect: He said that they played cricket.
2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Rule:
Present Continuous changes to Past Continuous.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + am/is/are + V-ing”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + was/were + V-ing
Examples:
Direct: She said, “I am reading.”
Indirect: She said that she was reading.
Direct: They said, “We are watching TV.”
Indirect: They said that they were watching TV.
3. Present Perfect → Past Perfect
Rule:
Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + has/have + V3”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + had + V3
Examples:
Direct: He said, “I have finished my homework.”
Indirect: He said that he had finished his homework.
Direct: She said, “They have gone home.”
Indirect: She said that they had gone home.
4. Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
Rule:
Present Perfect Continuous becomes Past Perfect Continuous.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + has/have been + V-ing”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + had been + V-ing
Examples:
Direct: She said, “I have been studying since morning.”
Indirect: She said that she had been studying since morning.
Direct: He said, “They have been working hard.”
Indirect: He said that they had been working hard.
5. Simple Past → Past Perfect
Rule:
Simple Past changes to Past Perfect.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + V2 + object”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + had + V3
Examples:
Direct: She said, “I bought a car.”
Indirect: She said that she had bought a car.
Direct: He said, “They met me.”
Indirect: He said that they had met him.
6. Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
Rule:
Past Continuous becomes Past Perfect Continuous.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + was/were + V-ing”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + had been + V-ing
Examples:
Direct: He said, “I was doing my homework.”
Indirect: He said that he had been doing his homework.
Direct: She said, “They were playing chess.”
Indirect: She said that they had been playing chess.
7. Past Perfect → No Change
Rule:
Past Perfect already shows an earlier action → no change.
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + had + V3”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + had + V3 (same)
Examples:
Direct: He said, “I had completed the task.”
Indirect: He said that he had completed the task.
Direct: She said, “They had left early.”
Indirect: She said that they had left early.
8. Future (will/shall) → would / should
Rule:
Will → Would
Shall → Should
Can → Could
May → Might
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said + “Subject + will/shall + V1”
Indirect: Subject + said + that + subject + would/should + V1
Examples:
Direct: He said, “I will help you.”
Indirect: He said that he would help me.
Direct: She said, “We shall win.”
Indirect: She said that they should win.
Special Rule: No Tense Change in 3 Cases
1. Universal truth / scientific fact
Direct: He said, “The sun rises in the east.”
Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.
2. Habitual actions
Direct: He said, “I go for a walk.”
Indirect: He said that he goes for a walk.
3. Reporting verb in Present/Future
Direct: He says, “I am happy.”
Indirect: He says that he is happy.
Change in Time and Place Expressions
When converting Direct Speech → Indirect Speech, many time and place expressions change, especially when the reporting verb is in the past tense (said, told, asked).
These changes happen because the point of reference shifts from the speaker’s original moment to the reporter’s moment.
1. Change in Time Expressions
Direct Speech ~ Indirect Speech
now ~ then / at that time
today ~ that day
tonight ~ that night
yesterday ~ the previous day / the day before
tomorrow ~ the next day / the following day
the day before yesterday ~ two days before
the day after tomorrow ~ in two days’ time
last night ~ the previous night
last week/month/year ~ the previous week/month/year
next week/month/year ~ the following week/month/year
ago ~ before
this morning/evening/week ~ that morning/evening/week
immediately / at once ~ at once / immediately (often unchanged)
Examples of Time Expression Change
1. "I will go tomorrow," he said.
→ He said that he would go the next day.
2. She said, "I met him yesterday."
→ She said that she had met him the previous day.
3. He said, "I am busy now."
→ He said that he was busy then.
4. She said, "We visited Delhi last year."
→ She said that they had visited Delhi the previous year.
5. He said, “I will come tonight.”
→ He said that he would come that night.
2. Change in Place Expressions
Direct Speech ~ Indirect Speech
here ~ there
There ~ there / that place (context-based)
this ~ that
these ~ those
come ~ go (only when movement direction changes)
bring ~ take
Examples of Place Expression Change
1. "Come here!" she said.
→ She told me to go there.
2. He said, "I live here."
→ He said that he lived there.
3. She said, "Take these books."
→ She told me to take those books.
4. He said, "I bought this phone."
→ He said that he had bought that phone.
5. She said, "Bring him here."
→ She told them to take him there.
3. Combined Examples (Time + Place Changes Together)
Direct: He said, “I will meet you here tomorrow.”
Indirect: He said that he would meet me there the next day.
Direct: She said, “We came here last night.”
Indirect: She said that they had come there the previous night.
Direct: Riya said, “I will finish this work today.”
Indirect: Riya said that she would finish that work that day.
Wh-Questions in Indirect Speech
When reporting Wh-questions (questions beginning with what, where, when, why, who, whom, whose, which, how), the Wh-word itself acts as the connector.
There is no use of “if/whether” with Wh-questions.
Crucial Rule
Change the structure from a QUESTION form to a STATEMENT form.
That means:
Question word order
(Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb)
Statement word order
Subject + Verb + Object
General Structure
Direct Speech: Wh-word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb…?
Indirect Speech: Reporting Verb (asked / wanted to know) +
Wh-word + Subject + Verb (statement order)
Detailed Rules
Rule 1: Keep the Wh-word as it is
No addition of if/whether.
Rule 2: Change the question structure into a statement
Remove question marks and invert word order → Subject + Verb.
Rule 3: Change pronouns, tenses & time expressions
(as per normal indirect speech rules).
Rule 4: Use reporting verbs like:
Asked, wanted to know, inquired, questioned
Examples for Each Wh-Word
1. What
Direct: She said, “What are you doing?”
Indirect: She asked what I was doing.
Structure:
Wh-word (what) + Subject (I) + Verb (was doing)
2. Where
Direct: He said, “Where do you live?”
Indirect: He asked where I lived.
3. Why
Direct: Rohan said, “Why are you crying?”
Indirect: Rohan asked why I was crying.
4. When
Direct: She said, “When will you return?”
Indirect: She asked when I would return.
5. Who
Direct: He said, “Who broke the window?”
Indirect: He asked who had broken the window.
(No subject change needed because "who" itself is the subject.)
6. Whom
Direct: She said, “Whom did you meet?”
Indirect: She asked whom I had met.
7. Whose
Direct: He said, “Whose book is this?”
Indirect: He asked whose book that was.
8. Which
Direct: She said, “Which color do you prefer?”
Indirect: She asked which color I preferred.
9. How
Direct: She said, “How did you make this?”
Indirect: She asked how I had made that.
Combined Example
Direct: The teacher said, “Why did you come late today?”
Indirect: The teacher asked me why I had come late that day.
Reporting Commands and Requests
Commands and requests express orders, advice, suggestions, instructions, and polite requests.
When converting them into Indirect Speech, we change the structure completely.
1. Key Changes in Commands/Requests
Rule 1: Use infinitive form (to + verb) in indirect speech
to + base verb for normal commands/requests
not to + verb for negative commands
Rule 2: Reporting verb changes
Choose the reporting verb according to the tone:
Rule 3: Remove quotation marks and convert command form → infinitive form
Example:
“Sit down.” → to sit down
“Don’t speak.” → not to speak
Rule 4: No question form
Commands and requests never use if/whether or Wh-words in indirect speech.
Rule 5: Pronoun changes
Pronouns change according to the subject and object of the reporting verb.
2. Structure
Direct Speech Structure:
“Verb (command/request) + object + …”
Indirect Speech Structure:
Subject + Reporting Verb + Object + to + Verb (base form)
Negative Command:
Subject + Reporting Verb + Object + not to + Verb
3. Examples (By Category)
A. Commands / Orders
1. Direct: The teacher said to the students, “Stand up.”
Indirect: The teacher told the students to stand up.
2. Direct: He said to me, “Close the door.”
Indirect: He ordered me to close the door.
3. Direct (negative command): The doctor said to him, “Don’t smoke.”
Indirect: The doctor advised him not to smoke.
B. Requests
1. Direct: She said to me, “Please help me.”
Indirect: She requested me to help her.
(“Please” is removed but its sense is included in the reporting verb.)
2. Direct: He said to the guard, “Let me come in, please.”
Indirect: He requested the guard to let him come in.
C. Advice / Suggestions
1. Direct: Father said to me, “Work hard.”
Indirect: Father advised me to work hard.
2. Direct: She said to her son, “Don’t waste time.”
Indirect: She advised her son not to waste time.
D. Instructions / Directions
1. Direct: The officer said to him, “Fill up this form.”
Indirect: The officer instructed him to fill up the form.
2. Direct: The teacher said to them, “Read the chapter twice.”
Indirect: The teacher instructed them to read the chapter twice.
E. Warnings / Prohibitions
1. Direct: He said to them, “Don’t touch this wire.”
Indirect: He warned them not to touch that wire.
2. Direct:The police said to the crowd, “Stay away from the gate.”
Indirect:The police warned the crowd to stay away from the gate.
4. Special Case: “Let” in Commands
(a) Let + someone + do something = permission/request
Direct: He said, “Let him go.”
Indirect: He allowed him to go.
—or—
He told them to let him go (if another person is doing the action).
(b) Let us… = suggestion
Direct: He said, “Let us go for a walk.”
Indirect: He suggested that they should go for a walk.
(Note: “to + verb” is not used here.)
(c) Let + me = request
Direct: He said, “Let me speak.”
Indirect: He requested to be allowed to speak.
5. Summary Table
Reporting Exclamations and Wishes – Notes
1. What are Exclamations?
Exclamatory sentences express:
Strong feelings
Emotions such as joy, sorrow, surprise, anger, wish, regret, etc.
They usually end with an exclamation mark (!)
and begin with What/How/Alas/Oh/Hurrah/Wow.
2. Key Rules for Changing Exclamations to Indirect Speech
Rule 1: Remove the exclamation
Replace ! with a full stop in indirect speech.
Rule 2: Change the reporting verb
Use verbs like:
exclaimed, cried, sobbed, shouted, wished, prayed, rejoiced, lamented, said with joy, said with sorrow, said with surprise, etc.
Choose according to the emotion.
Rule 3: Remove ‘What!’ or ‘How!’
These words show emotion in direct speech.
In indirect speech use:
very, really, great, extremely, etc.
Rule 4: Change the sentence into a statement
Exclamatory → Assertive (statement)
Use normal order: Subject + Verb + Object
Rule 5: Pronoun, tense, and time changes
Apply the normal rules of direct–indirect speech.
3. Common Reporting Verbs for Exclamations
exclaimed with joy
exclaimed with sorrow
exclaimed in surprise
wished
prayed
cried out
shouted in excitement
lamented
said in anger
4. Examples (All Types)
A. Exclamations of Joy
Direct: He said, “Hurrah! We won the match!”
Indirect: He exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
B. Exclamations of Sorrow
Direct: She said, “Alas! I have lost my purse!”
Indirect: She exclaimed with sorrow that she had lost her purse.
C. Exclamations of Surprise
Direct: Rina said, “Wow! This place is beautiful!”
Indirect: Rina exclaimed in surprise that the place was very beautiful.
D. Exclamations with How / What
Direct: He said, “What a wonderful day it is!”
Indirect: He exclaimed that it was a very wonderful day.
Direct: She said, “How fast he runs!”
Indirect: She exclaimed that he ran very fast.
E. Wishes
Direct: They said, “May you succeed!”
Indirect: They wished that I might succeed.
Direct: She said, “May God bless you!”
Indirect: She prayed that God might bless me.
F. Regret / Sad feeling
Direct: He said, “What a pity we lost!”
Indirect: He lamented that they had lost.
5. Quick Summary
Exclamatory → Statement
Add correct reporting verb showing emotion
Remove “What/How/Hurrah/Alas/OH/Wow”
Use very/really/extremely if needed
Change tense & pronouns as per rules
Special Rules & Exceptions
1. When Tense Does NOT Change
Some sentences keep the same tense even if the reporting verb is in the past.
a) Universal Truths / General Facts
These remain unchanged.
Direct: He said, “The sun rises in the east.”
Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.
b) Scientific Facts
Direct: The teacher said, “Water boils at 100°C.”
Indirect: The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
2. When Reporting Verb Is in Present or Future
If the reporting verb is says, say, or will say, the tense does not change.
Direct: He says, “I am tired.”
Indirect: He says that he is tired.
Direct: She will say, “I need help.”
Indirect: She will say that she needs help.
3. Words That Do NOT Change
Some expressions remain unchanged if they refer to actual time:
Examples:
today morning
yesterday evening (same day)
next week (if still upcoming)
Direct: He said, “I will go next week.”
Indirect: He said that he would go next week.
(no change needed)
4. Special Use of ‘Let’
a) Suggestion
Use suggested that + subject + should + verb.
Direct: He said, “Let us start.”
Indirect: He suggested that we should start.
b) Permission
“Let” meaning allow becomes allowed / permitted.
Direct: He said, “Let him play.”
Indirect: He allowed him to play.
5. Question Tags
They disappear in indirect speech.
Direct: He said, “You are fine, aren’t you?”
Indirect: He asked if I was fine.
6. No Question Mark in Indirect Speech
Even if the direct speech is a question, the indirect sentence ends with a full stop.
7. Polite Expressions Change
“please” → requested / asked politely
“thank you” → expressed gratitude
“sorry” → apologized
Direct: He said, “Please forgive me.”
Indirect: He requested me to forgive him.
8. Pronoun Changes Based on Speaker & Listener
Direct: Rita said to me, “I will help you.”
Indirect: Rita told me that she would help me.
9. Must / Need / Ought to
a) must → had to (obligation)
Direct:He said, “I must go now.”
Indirect: He said that he had to go then.
b) must remains must (certainty)
Direct: She said, “He must be tired.”
Indirect: She said that he must be tired.
c) ought to remains unchanged
Indirect: He said that I ought to help her.
10. Would / Could / Should / Might
These modal verbs do not change in indirect speech.
Examples:
would stay would
could stays could
should stays should
might stays might
11. Vocatives (words used for calling someone)
Words like Rohit!, Sir, My dear friends, change into phrases:
Calling, addressing, warning, wishing, greeting
Direct: She said, “Rohit, listen to me.”
Indirect: She told Rohit to listen to her.
12. When Two Actions Occur Together
Keep the sequence in indirect speech.
Direct: He said, “I woke up early and went for a walk.”
Indirect: He said that he had woken up early and had gone for a walk.
Exercise: Direct to Indirect Speech Conversion
A. Statements
Convert the following into Indirect Speech:
1. He said, “I am tired.”
2. She said, “We will go to the market today.”
3. Rohan said, “My brother is playing outside.”
4. They said, “We have completed the work.”
5. The teacher said, “Honesty is the best policy.”
6. She said, “I bought this dress yesterday.”
7. He said, “I cannot solve this problem.”
8. He said, “I have been waiting for an hour.”
9. Anita said, “I will help you.”
10. Rahul said, “I am going to Mumbai next week.”
B. Questions (Yes/No type)
Change to Indirect Speech:
11. He said, “Are you coming with me?”
12. She said, “Do you like chocolate?”
13. Ravi said, “Have you done your homework?”
14. Mother said, “Did you clean your room?”
15. He said, “Can you help me?”
C. WH-Questions
16. She said, “Where do you live?”
17. He said, “Why are you crying?”
18. The man said, “What is your name?”
19. They said, “When will the train arrive?”
20. He said, “How did you do this?”
D. Commands / Requests
21. He said, “Please close the door.”
22. She said to him, “Sit down.”
23. The teacher said, “Finish your work carefully.”
24. Father said to me, “Don’t waste time.”
25. She said, “Please help me.”
E. Exclamations / Wishes
26. He said, “What a beautiful flower!”
27. She said, “How foolish you are!”
28. He said, “Alas! I lost my wallet.”
29. She said, “Hurrah! We won the match.”
30. He said, “Oh! I forgot my keys.”
Answers: Direct → Indirect Speech
A. Statements
1. He said that he was tired.
2. She said that they would go to the market that day.
3. Rohan said that his brother was playing outside.
4. They said that they had completed the work.
5. The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.
6. She said that she had bought that dress the previous day.
7. He said that he could not solve that problem.
8. He said that he had been waiting for an hour.
9. Anita said that she would help me.
10. Rahul said that he was going to Mumbai the following week.
B. Questions (Yes/No type)
11. He asked if I was coming with him.
12. She asked if I liked chocolate.
13. Ravi asked if I had done my homework.
14. Mother asked if I had cleaned my room.
15. He asked if I could help him.
C. WH-Questions
16. She asked where I lived.
17. He asked why I was crying.
18. The man asked what my name was.
19. They asked when the train would arrive.
20. He asked how I had done that.
D. Commands / Requests
21. He requested me to close the door.
22. She told him to sit down.
23. The teacher told us to finish our work carefully.
24. Father advised me not to waste time.
25. She requested me to help her.
E. Exclamations / Wishes
26. He exclaimed that the flower was very beautiful.
27. She exclaimed that I was very foolish.
28. He exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his wallet.
29. She exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
30. He exclaimed with surprise that he had forgotten his keys.
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