DIRECT AND

INDIRECT SPEECH

1.We have given the exact words used

by the speaker. This way of quoting is

called direct speech. Such words are

placed between inverted commas (‘…..’

or “…….”)

Ravi said, “I am very busy”.

2. We have reported the idea, indirectly,

without quoting the actual words of the

speaker. This method is called indirect

speech (or reported speech)

Ravi said that he was very busy.

3. When the reporting verb (e.g. the verb

said in the example above) is in the past

tense, the tenses of the verb in direct

speech usually change as follows:

The simple Present changes to the Simple Past.

Direct : He said, “I am unwell”.

Indirect : He said that he was unwell.

4. The Present Continuous changes to

the Past Continuous.

Direct : He Said, “I’m waiting for my

sister”.

Indirect : He said that he was waiting for

his sister.

5. The Present Perfect changes to the

Past Perfect.

Direct : She said, “I’ve done my homework”.

Indirect : She said that she had done her

homework.

6. The Simple Past changes to the Past

Perfect.

Direct : “Padma took my pen, “said Rekha.

Indirect : Rekha said that Padma had taken

her pen.

7. The will-can-may forms change to the would-could-might forms.

Direct : “My father will be back on

Sunday. “he said.

Indirect : He said that his father would

be back on Sunday.

Direct : “You may go home, “said the boss.

Indirect: The boss said I might go home.

8. The Past Continuous normally remains

unchanged.

When the reporting verb is in the

present tense, the tenses do not change.Direct Speech Indirect Speech

He says. “I am unwell”. He says that he is

unwell.

He has just said, “My father He has just said that his

father Will be back on Sunday”. Will be back on

Sunday.

9. Words or phrases expressing nearness in time generally change to those expressing distance:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Now then / at that time

Today that day

Tonight that night

Last (week, month, etc.) the previous (week, month, etc.,)

Next (month, year, etc.) the following (month, year, etc.)

Yesterday the previous day

Tomorrow the next day

10. Statements

The conjunction that is put after the

reporting verb.

Eg. He said to me “I have got a first class”

He told me that he had got a first class.

11. Imperatives (ie. Commands and Requests)

In indirect imperatives, a verb such as

ask, tell, order, command, request is

followed by a personal object and the

to-infinitive.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1. “Open the gate, “he said to He ordered the servant to

the servant. open the gate.

2. “Please help me with my She requested her brother

Homework”, she said to her to help her with her homework

brother.

3. “Read this book”, said the The teacher advised me to

teacher. read that book.

12.Questions

Indirect questions do not have the

same word order as direct questions

often have. In indirect questions the verb

comes after the subject as in statements.

13. In wh-questions (i.e. question

which begin with a question word like

what, who, when, where)

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1.He said, “What are you doing?” He asked what I was

doing.

2.“Where do you live?” he said.He asked where I lived.

3.“When did she visit you?” Mohan wanted to

know

said Mohan, when she had visited

me.

14. In yes-no questions (i.e. questions

which do not begin with a question word),

the conjunction if or whether is placed

before the indirect question.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1. “Has your brother gone He wanted to know

to Delhi?” he said. Whether my brother had

gone to Delhi.

2.Shankar said, “Can you swim,Shankar asked Kishore

Kishore?” whether he could swim.

15. Exclamations

Exclamations normally become

statements in indirect speech. They are

often introduced by verbs like exclaim,

remark, say, etc.Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1. She said, “How lovely the She remarked that the house

house is!” was very lovely.

2. “What a strange idea!” he said. He said that it was a very

strange idea.

3. Mary said, “How dreadful!”. Mary exclaimed that it was

very dreadful.

16. Below are sentences of the type

which you may find it difficult to turn into

indirect speech. Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1. “Thank you”, he said He thanked me.

2. She said, “Welcome”. She welcomed me.

3. He said, “Happy Christmas!” He wished me a happy

Christmas.

4. “Let’s go for a walk”. I proposed (or : suggested)

I said. that we should go for a walk.

17.The Past Continuous normally remains

unchanged.

When the reporting verb is in the

present tense, the tenses do not change.Direct Speech Indirect Speech

He says. “I am unwell”. He says that he is

unwell.

He has just said, “My father He has just said that his

father Will be back on Sunday”. Will be back on

Sunday.

18. Words or phrases expressing nearness in time generally change to those expressing distance:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Now then / at that time

Today that day

Tonight that night

Last (week, month, etc.) the previous (week, month, etc.,)

Next (month, year, etc.) the following (month, year, etc.)

Yesterday the previous day

Tomorrow the next day

19.Changing

From direct to indirect

we may change said to into “that”.

20.omition

From direct to indirect

we may omit the question marks and exclamatory marks.

Thank you