online quiz english grammar direct and indirect speech

Direct And Indirect Speech Quiz: Test Your Skills

Are you eager to assess your English grammar proficiency in an enjoyable manner? Dive into this Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz to gauge your knowledge of these two forms of reported speech. Reporting speech involves conveying someone else's words, and it can be done in two primary ways: direct and indirect speech. In direct speech, you repeat the speaker's words verbatim. In contrast, indirect speech conveys the speaker's message without using their exact words. This quiz presents an engaging opportunity to test your understanding of these concepts and improve your grammatical skills. By participating in this quiz, you Read more can enhance your grasp of the nuances between direct and indirect speech, which is essential for effective communication and writing. So, are you ready for the challenge? Let's embark on this educational journey and see how well you can navigate the intricacies of reported speech. Best of luck!

Direct And Indirect Speech Questions and Answers

What would the indirect speech be: maria said, "it's my car.".

Maria said that it is my car.

Maria said that it is her car.

Maria said that it was my car.

Maria said that it was her car.

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What would the indirect speech be: Martin said, "I work here every day."?

Martin said that he worked here yesterday.

Martin said that he worked there every day.

Martin said that he works here every day.

Martin said that he worked every day.

What would the indirect speech be: Monica said, "I have finished my homework."?

Monica said that she had finished her homework.

Monica said that she had finished my homework.

Monica said that she has finished her homework.

Monica said that she has finished my homework."

What would the indirect speech be: My daughter said to me, "I can sleep alone."?

My daughter said to me that I can sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she can sleep alone."

My daughter said to me that she could sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she could sleep alone.

What would the indirect speech be: Leo said, "My friend may come tonight."?

Leo said that his friend might come tonight.

Leo said that his friend might come that night.

Leo said that his friend might go that night.

Leo said that his friend might go tonight.

What would the indirect speech be: Jullie said to me, "I have to win this game."?

Jullie told me that she must win this game.

Jullie told me that she had to win that game.

Jullie told me that she had to win this game.

Jullie told me that she must win that game.

What would the indirect speech be: He said, "I am a man."?

He said that he was a man.

He said that he is a man.

He said that I am a man.

He said that I was a man.

What would the indirect speech be: Mary said, "I am coming here."?

Mary said that she was coming there.

Mary said that she is coming there.

Mary insists that she had been coming there.

Mary says that she had come here.

What would the indirect speech be: My brother said, "I went to school yesterday."?

My brother said that he had gone to school today.

My brother said that he had gone to school the day after.

My brother said that he had gone to school the previous day.

My brother said that he had gone to school the next day.

What would the indirect speech be: Mathew said, "I will go to school next year."?

Mathew said that he would go to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would go to school the following year.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year after.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Challenge yourself with our engaging Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test. Test your grammar prowess, enhance your reporting skills, and elevate your language abilities today!

Welcome to our dynamic online quiz designed to put your knowledge of direct and indirect speech to the test. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or a student looking to sharpen your grammar skills, this interactive quiz offers an opportunity to explore the nuances of reporting speech accurately.

Through a series of questions and scenarios, you’ll navigate the world of transforming spoken words into written form, honing your language expertise along the way.

How It Works:

Our online quiz consists of 30 carefully crafted questions that cover various aspects of direct and indirect speech. Read each question and select the most appropriate answer from the provided choices. Once you complete the quiz, you’ll receive immediate feedback on your performance, allowing you to identify areas where you excel and areas where you can further improve.

Quiz: Exploring Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Direct Indirect Speech Quiz

Test your knowledge yourself with our engaging online quiz on direct and indirect speech.

He said to me, ‘Please Open the door’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ me _________ open the door.

"John said, 'I will attend the meeting tomorrow.'"

We said, ‘Let him tell the story’’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother said to me, ‘May God bless you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother ___________ that God __________

‘Where is my umbrella?’, He asked. (Fill in the blanks)

He asked __________________

Mum said,” I am angry with you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mum said that she ___________ angry with me.

She said, ‘If I were a bird!’ ( Choose the Correct option)

"Mary said, 'I love this song.' She told me that she liked the song."

He said,  ‘I bought a pen yesterday.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He said __________ he _______ a pen the previous day.

He asked, ‘Do I have to do it?’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said to me, ‘Happy Christmas’ (Choose the Correct option)

"Mom said, 'Clean your room.'"

"Teacher said, 'Open your textbooks at page 50.'"

He whispered, 'It's a secret.'"

"She exclaimed, 'What a beautiful painting!'"

He said to them, ‘How are you?’’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said to me, ‘I shall play football’ (Choose the Correct option)

Diya said to Maya, ‘I am going to the park now’ (Fill in the blanks)

Diya __________ Maya______ going to the park then.

Mother said to me, ‘Please tidy the room’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother __________ me ______ tidy the room.

Sangeeta said, ‘I went to bed early last night (Fill in the blanks)

Sangeeta said that ___________ to bed early the night before.

The teacher said to me,’ You must do your homework every day.’ (Fill in the blanks)

The teacher __________ me that _________ must do my homework every day.

I said to the man, ‘Who are you?’ (Choose the Correct option)

"Tom said, 'Are you coming to the party?'"

"She said that she will finish the project yesterday."

 ‘Are you weeping?’, he asked her.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ her _________

He said, ‘Good-bye, my friends’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said, ‘Let us keep quiet in this matter.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ________ that we ___________ quiet in this matter.

"David asked, 'Why did you arrive late?'"

"Lucy said, 'I will be studying all night.'"

He said, ‘What is your problem?’ (Fill in the blanks)

He asked ____________________

Your score is

The average score is 62%

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People also ask

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Q: how does the online quiz work.

A: The online quiz consists of 10 questions related to direct and indirect speech. Select the correct answers and receive immediate feedback on your performance.

Q: Is the quiz suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, the quiz is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to those seeking to refine their grammar skills.

Q: How long does the quiz take to complete?

A: The quiz can be completed in a short span of time, typically within 10-15 minutes.

Q: Is there a time limit for each question?

A: No, there is no time limit. You can take your time to read and answer each question.

Q: Can I retake the quiz?

A: Absolutely! You can retake the quiz as many times as you’d like to reinforce your understanding of direct and indirect speech.

Conclusion:

Congratulations on completing our interactive direct and indirect speech quiz! By engaging in this online test, you’ve embarked on a journey to refine your language skills and elevate your understanding of reporting speech. Remember, effective communication relies on the accurate use of direct and indirect speech, and your efforts to master this aspect of grammar will undoubtedly enhance your written and spoken expressions.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz

Direct and indirect speech.

When we speak to the other person it often happens that we start talking about the third person that this girl or that boy said this and that to someone. when this type of conversation arrives we may either speak those words exactly as said by the person or we may change the sentence without changing its meaning and report it.

DIRECT SPEECH : In our speech, when we speak to the other person directly the exact sentence as said by the person to someone then it is direct speech.

Example: 

The girl said to her father, "My bag is empty."

In the above example, "girl" is a third-person whose exact words are written in quotation marks.

Here, the first part of the sentence before the comma is referred to as reporting verb, and the part which is within the inverted commas is called the reported speech.

INDIRECT SPEECH:  When we speak to the other person and tell them the sentence that is changed but not the meaning that we had heard from the other person then it is indirect speech.

The girl said to her father her bag was empty.

Here, the sentence said by the girl has changed but the meaning is the same.

Rules to transform direct speech into indirect speech:

• Remove comma and put  that  in its place.
• Remove inverted commas.
• Change persons of the pronouns and of the verbs in the reported speech.
• Change tense and verbs.
• Change said to in reporting verb into  told  (if followed by an object) or asked  (in case of interrogative sentences).

Change of person: 

• First-person pronouns in the direct reported speech change according to the subject of the reporting verb.

Direct: She says, " I am going to London."

Indirect: She says that she is going to London.

• Second person pronouns change according to the noun or pronoun coming after the reporting verb.

Second person changes to third, if there is no mention of second person in the reporting verb.

Note:   If there is you (second person) in the direct speech, you in the indirect speech remains unchanged.

Direct: Ahana said to you, "You are a sweet person".

Indirect: Ahana said to you that you were a sweet person.

• Third person pronouns of the direct speech remain unchanged when converted to indirect.

Direct:   Miley said to me, "She has come".

Indirect: Miley said to me that she had come.

Changes in Tense and Verbs

• Different changes are made regarding tense, verbs, or helping verbs while changing from direct to Indirect.

Changes of Tenses

Changes of verb.

• If the reporting verb, i.e. the main verb in the first part of the sentence before the comma is in the present or the future tense, the tense of the verbs in the reported speech will not change.

Direct: Mummy says, " I will cook pasta today".

Indirect: Mummy says that she will cook pasta today.

• If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the verbs in the reported speech will be changed into their corresponding past tense.

Direct: The boy said to his father, "I write every day". (Present Indefinite)

Indirect: The boy said to his father that he wrote every day. (Past indefinite)

Direct: The girl said to her mother, "I shall write a letter". (Future Indefinite)

Indirect: The girl said to her mother that she would write a letter. (Future in the Past)

Direct: The girl said to her friend, "I shall be singing a song. (Future Continuous)

Indirect: The girl said to her friend that she would be singing a song. (Future continuous in the Past)

Note: The tense of the verb does not change in case of universal truth or habitual fact even if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

Some Important Points:

• If the reported speech has two actions both in the past continuous tense then its tense will not change when converting into indirect speech.
• If the reported speech is in the past tense and indicates time or period, its tense will not change.
• In some cases, must and need not are used in place of have to .
• Must is used in place of shall have to when it expresses necessity or compulsion.
• If the question in the reported speech begins with a helping verb is, am, are etc., then replace inverted commas by  if  or  whether.
• Said to can also be changed into enquired or demanded depending on the nature of the sentence.
• If the question starts with  who, whose, when, where,  no conjunction is used in place of the inverted commas.
• In the case of an imperative sentence, the sense of  order, command, advice, request, entreaty, warning, etc.,  are conveyed. So,  said to  changes into  ordered, requested, advised, commanded, warned, forbade, etc.  depending on the nature of the sentence.
• Inverted commas are replaced by  to  in case of an imperative sentence.
• Don't  or  do not  is substituted by  not to  in case of a negative imperative sentence.
• If the imperative sentence starts with let and expresses some proposal or suggestion,  said to  should be changed into  proposed to,  or  suggested to.

He said, "The horse died in the night."

Mummy says. "i will have to go.", the girl said to her friend, "i shall have written a letter in the evening., the girl said to her mother, "i have been reading since morning.", the boy said to her friend, "i shall have been writing a letter.", his father taught him, "the ramayana is a holy book.", he said, " the man was coming.", shano said to me, "he will be defeated.", the policeman said to us, "you must not cross the road against the red light.", the master said to the servant, "post the letter at once.", he said to me, "where are you going", charlie asked, "are the boys there", she said. "the cat was running and the dog was chasing it.", he said to me, "there is no more water.", he said. "i cried out when i saw the thief coming.".

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Direct and Indirect Speech Online Test

• This is an online quiz to test your knowledge of Direct and Indirect Speech in English.
• This Online Test is useful for academic and competitive exams .
• Multiple answer choices are given for each question in this test. You have to choose the best option.
• After completing the test, you can see your result .
• There are 10 questions in the test.
• There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
• There is no specified time to complete this test.

Which one best expresses the given sentence in Indirect/Direct speech?

He said to his father, “Please increase my pocket money.”

He said to his father, “Please increase my pocket money.” He requested his father to increase his pocket money.

“This is the best book I’ve ever read,” the professor told the class.

“This is the best book I’ve ever read,” the professor told the class. The professor told the class that this was the best book he had ever read. Use past perfect tense in the reported speech.

His father ordered him to go to his room and study.

His father ordered him to go to his room and study. His father said, “go to your room and study.”

He replied, “I have promised to reward my servants.”

He replied, “I have promised to reward my servants.” He replied that he had promised to reward his servants. Use past perfect tense, change ‘my’ into ‘his’.

Gita said, “This is my book”.

Gita said, “This is my book”. Gita said that this was her book.

My friend said to me, “Beware of cheats.”

My friend said to me, “Beware of cheats.” My friend told me to beware of cheats. Change ‘said to’ into ‘told, use infinitive ‘to’.

Monica said, “I will watch a horror movie tonight”.

Monica said, “I will watch a horror movie tonight”. Monica said that she would watch a horror movie that night. Use conjunction ‘that’, change pronoun ‘I’ into ‘she’, and ‘tonight’ into ‘that night’.

“Are you alone, my son?” asked a soft voice close behind me.

“Are you alone, my son?” asked a soft voice close behind me. A soft voice behind me asked If I was alone.

“How cruel the boss is!” said the clerk.

“How cruel the boss is!” said the clerk. The clerk exclaimed that the boss was very cruel.

“Why are you looking through the keyhole?” I said.

“Why are you looking through the keyhole?” I said. I asked him why he was looking through the keyhole.

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Reported Speech Quiz

Test your understanding of Reported Speech in English with this Reported Speech Quiz. Reported Speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else said without quoting their exact words. It often involves changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions to suit the reporting context. For example, direct speech: “ I am learning English, ” becomes in reported speech: “ She said she was learning English. ” This quiz has 15 questions and each question will ask you to change the direct speech into reported speech. Take The Quiz Below!

Direct: "I am watching a movie." Reported: She said that she __________ a movie.

Direct: "I will go to the store." Reported: He said that he __________ to the store.

Direct: "We have finished our homework." Reported: They said that they __________ their homework.

Direct: "I can play the piano." Reported: She said that she __________ the piano.

Direct: "I am going to watch a movie tonight." Reported: He said that he __________ a movie that night.

Direct: "We are meeting our friends tomorrow." Reported: They said that they __________ their friends the next day.

Direct: "I have been reading a book." Reported: She said that she __________ a book.

Direct: "I ate pizza last night." Reported: He said that he __________ pizza the night before.

Direct: "We will finish the project by tomorrow." Reported: They said that they __________ the project by the next day.

Direct: "I saw him yesterday." Reported: She said that she __________ him the day before.

Direct: "I must leave now." Reported: He said that he __________ right away.

Direct: "We can't come to the party." Reported: They said that they __________ to the party.

Direct: "I did not see him at the event." Reported: She said that she __________ him at the event.

Direct: "I have been feeling unwell." Reported: He said that he __________ unwell.

Direct: "We were planning to visit you." Reported: They said that they __________ to visit you.

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Not learned about reported speech yet? Then check out this Reported Speech Guide which includes lots of examples to help you master this important part of English grammar.

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Reported Speech Quiz

In this reported speech quiz you get to practice online turning direct speech into indirect speech.

Remember that to turn direct speech to reported speech you need to use backshifting with the tenses. So for example, the present simple turns to the past simple and the past simple turns to the past perfect. Pronouns can also change.

It can be difficult if you are new to it, so if you are unsure of how to do it, before taking the quiz check out the reported speech tense conversion rules . 

• John said, "I want to see a film".
• Tina said, "I am tired".
• He said, "Tom hit me very hard".
• I said, "I feel happy".
• She said, "We are learning English".
• Sandra said, "I liked him a lot".
• He said, "We all eat meat".
• Max said, "I will help".
• Gene said, "I must leave early".
• She said, "I had tried everything".

More on Reported Speech:

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

In these examples of direct and indirect speech you are given a sentence in direct speech which is then connected to indirect speech.

Reported Speech Imperatives: Reporting commands in indirect speech

Reported speech imperatives, also known as reported commands, follow a slightly different structure to normal indirect speech. We use imperatives to give orders, advice, or make requests.

Direct and Indirect Speech: The differences explained

Direct and indirect speech are different because in direct speech the exact words said are spoken, but in indirect or reported speech, we are reporting what was said, usually using the past tense.

Reported Speech Tenses Chart: How to convert tenses

Reported speech tenses may differ from the tense of the direct speech. The general rule for tenses in reported speech is that it changes to the past tense. This is called backshifting.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz

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I said to him, ‘Why don’t you work hard?’

A. I asked him why didn’t you work hard.

B. I asked him why he didn’t work hard.

John asked Mary, “Why do you get angry with me?”

A. John asked Mary why she got angry with him.

B. John asked Mary why she gets angry with him.

C. John asked Mary why she had gotten angry with him.

D. John asked Mary why she is angry with him.

She said, “I’m looking for my keys.”

A. She said that she was looking for her keys.

B. She said that she is looking for her keys.

C. She said that she looked for her keys.

D. She said that she were looking for her keys.

Which of these sentences has punctuated speech correctly?

A. Kyle said, “Thank you for helping me with my homework.”

B. Kyle said, “thank you for helping me with my homework”.

C. Kyle said “Thank you for helping me with my homework.”

D. Kyle said “Thank you for helping me with my homework”

James said to his mother, ‘I am leaving for New York tomorrow.’

A. James told his mother he is leaving for New York tomorrow.

B. James told his mother he would be leaving for New York the next day.

We use direct speech when we simply repeat what someone says.

Change this statement into INDIRECT SPEECH. She said, “I’ll go shopping.”

A. She said she would go shopping.

B. She said she will go shopping.

C. She said she should go shopping.

D. She said I will go shopping.

I told my father that I could get a better grade in English and science.

A. Direct Speech

B. Indirect Speech

Which of these is correct?

A. Jamal said, “We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa”.

B. Jamal said, We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa.

C. Jamal said, “We passed by a beautiful lake in Goa.”

D. Jamal said, “we passed by a beautiful lake in Goa.”

Which word will be CHANGED from direct to indirect speech?

The purpose of indirect speech is to report what someone said in the past.

Harry remarked, “I will go to Hogwarts tomorrow.”

A. Harry remarked that he would go to Hogwarts the next day.

B. Harry remarked that he will go to Hogwarts the next day.

C. Harry remarked that I would go to Hogwarts the next day.

D. Harry remarked that he would go to Hogwarts tomorrow.

He said, “She always wears a coat.”

A. He said that she always wore a coat.

B. He said she always wear a coat.

C. He said that she always had wore a coat.

D. He said that she always wearing a coat.

“Thank you for bringing me to this beautiful restaurant,” Jess said sincerely.

The above sentence is in reported speech.

Danny said, “Some people were hunting in the forest today.”

A. Danny said that some people were hunting in the forest that day.

B. Danny said that some people had hunted in the forest that day.

C. Danny said that some people had been hunting in the forest that day.

D. Danny said that some people was hunting in the forest that day.

The Professor said that nobody could solve the problem.

A. The Professor said, ‘Nobody can solve the problem’.

B. The Professor said, ’Nobody could solve the problem’

Indirect speech is also known as what?

A. Repeated speech

B. Repeated statements

C. Reported speech

D. Reported statements

Select the correct indirect sentence.

She said, “I am going to London tomorrow.”

A. She said that she was going to London yesterday.

B. She said that she was going to London tomorrow

C. She said that she was going to London the next day.

The instructor asked Ronny if he was ready for the race.

A. ‘Ronny, are you ready for the race?’, the instructor asked.

B. ‘Ronny, ready for race?’ the instructor said.

Choose the correct option: Petra: ‘I won’t tell you what happened until tomorrow.’

A. Petra said she wouldn’t tell me what had happened until the next day.

B. Petra said she wouldn’t tell me what had happened until tomorrow.

C. Petra said she won’t tell me what had happened until the next day.

Dad said, “You should tidy up your rooms now.”

A. Dad said that they should tidy up their rooms then.

B. Dad said that they should tidy up your rooms then.

C. Dad said that they should tidy up their rooms now.

D. Dad said they should tidy up their rooms then.

Indirect speech is also known as _______.

A. Quoted speech

B. Reported speech

C. Direct speech

A. “Have you seen my dog?” she asked.

B. “Have you seen my dog? she asked.”

C. Have you seen my “dog?” she asked.

D. Have you seen “my dog?” she asked

DIRECT SPEECH: will buy INDIRECT SPEECH:

A. would buy

B. won’t buy

“I don’t have time to play game,” said Jack.

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Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Exercises on reported speech.

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

• present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
• place and time expressions
• tenses (backshift)

→ more on statements in reported speech

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

Also note that you have to:

• transform the question into an indirect question
• use the interrogative or if / whether

→ more on questions in reported speech

→ more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

• main clauses connected with and / but
• tense of the introductory clause
• reported speech for difficult tenses
• exeptions for backshift
• requests with must , should , ought to and let’s

→ more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Statements in Reported Speech

• no backshift – change of pronouns
• no backshift – change of pronouns and places
• with backshift
• with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in reported speech.

• Exercise 1 – requests (positive)
• Exercise 2 – requests (negative)
• Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

• Exercise on reported speech with and without backshift

Grammar in Texts

• „ The Canterville Ghost “ (highlight direct speech and reported speech)

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Turn the following sentences into indirect speech.

1.    John said, ‘I am very busy now.’ 2.    He said, ‘The horse has been fed.’ 3.    ‘I know her name and address,’ said John. 4.    ‘German is easy to learn,’ she said. 5.    He said, ‘I am writing letters.’ 6.    ‘It is too late to go out,’ Alice said. 7.    He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’ 8.    He says, ‘I am glad to be here this evening.’ 9.    He said to me, ‘What are you doing?’ 10.    ‘Where is the post office?’ asked the stranger. 11.    He said, ‘Will you listen to me?’ 12.    John said to Peter, ‘Go away.’ 13.    She said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’ 14.    ‘Call the witness,’ said the judge. 15.    The speaker said, ‘Be quiet and listen to my words.’

1.    John said that he was very busy then. 2.    He said that the horse had been fed. 3.    John said that he knew/knows her name and address. (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4.    She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5.    He said that he was writing letters. 6.    Alice said that it was too late to go out. 7.    He told me that he didn’t believe me. OR He said he didn’t believe me. 8.    He says that he is glad to be here this evening. (When the reporting verb is in the present tense, adverbs of time and place do not normally change in indirect speech.) 9.    He asked me what I was doing. 10.    The stranger asked where the post office is/was. 11.    He asked me if I would listen to him. 12.    John ordered Peter to go away. 13.    She asked me to wait there till she returned. 14.    The judge commanded them to call the first witness. 15.    He urged them to be quiet and listen to them.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Practice Test 1

Instructions: Convert the given sentence into indirect speech and choose the correct answer.

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Reported Speech Exercise 1

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Direct and Indirect Speech: Useful Rules and Examples

Are you having trouble understanding the difference between direct and indirect speech? Direct speech is when you quote someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. This can be a tricky concept to grasp, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to use both forms of speech with ease.

Direct and Indirect Speech

When someone speaks, we can report what they said in two ways: direct speech and indirect speech. Direct speech is when we quote the exact words that were spoken, while indirect speech is when we report what was said without using the speaker’s exact words. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I love pizza,” said John. Indirect speech: John said that he loved pizza.

Using direct speech can make your writing more engaging and can help to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion. However, indirect speech can be useful when you want to summarize what someone said or when you don’t have the exact words that were spoken.

To change direct speech to indirect speech, you need to follow some rules. Firstly, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb. Secondly, you need to change the pronouns and adverbs in the reported speech to match the new speaker. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I will go to the park,” said Sarah. Indirect speech: Sarah said that she would go to the park.

It’s important to note that when you use indirect speech, you need to use reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked” to indicate who is speaking. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “What time is it?” asked Tom. Indirect speech: Tom asked what time it was.

In summary, understanding direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication and writing. Direct speech can be used to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion, while indirect speech can be useful when summarizing what someone said. By following the rules for changing direct speech to indirect speech, you can accurately report what was said while maintaining clarity and readability in your writing.

Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech

When it comes to reporting speech, there are two ways to go about it: direct and indirect speech. Direct speech is when you report someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. Here are some of the key differences between direct and indirect speech:

Change of Pronouns

In direct speech, the pronouns used are those of the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the pronouns have to be changed to reflect the perspective of the reporter. For example:

• Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John.
• Indirect speech: John said he was going to the store.

In the above example, the pronoun “I” changes to “he” in indirect speech.

Change of Tenses

Another major difference between direct and indirect speech is the change of tenses. In direct speech, the verb tense used is the same as that used by the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the verb tense may change depending on the context. For example:

• Direct speech: “I am studying for my exams,” said Sarah.
• Indirect speech: Sarah said she was studying for her exams.

In the above example, the present continuous tense “am studying” changes to the past continuous tense “was studying” in indirect speech.

Change of Time and Place References

When reporting indirect speech, the time and place references may also change. For example:

• Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” said Tom.
• Indirect speech: Tom said he would meet you at the park the next day.

In the above example, “tomorrow” changes to “the next day” in indirect speech.

Overall, it is important to understand the differences between direct and indirect speech to report speech accurately and effectively. By following the rules of direct and indirect speech, you can convey the intended message of the original speaker.

Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech

When you need to report what someone said in your own words, you can use indirect speech. To convert direct speech into indirect speech, you need to follow a few rules.

Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks

The first step is to remove the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text. This is because indirect speech does not use the exact words of the speaker.

Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker

To indicate that you are reporting what someone said, you need to use a reporting verb such as “said,” “asked,” “told,” or “exclaimed.” You also need to use a linker such as “that” or “whether” to connect the reporting verb to the reported speech.

For example:

• Direct speech: “I love ice cream,” said Mary.
• Indirect speech: Mary said that she loved ice cream.

Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb

When you use indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb.

• Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.

Step 4: Change the Pronouns

You also need to change the pronouns in the reported speech to match the subject of the reporting verb.

• Direct speech: “Are you busy now?” Tina asked me.
• Indirect speech: Tina asked whether I was busy then.

By following these rules, you can convert direct speech into indirect speech and report what someone said in your own words.

Converting Indirect Speech Into Direct Speech

Converting indirect speech into direct speech involves changing the reported speech to its original form as spoken by the speaker. Here are the steps to follow when converting indirect speech into direct speech:

• Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb used in the indirect speech. This will help you determine the tense of the direct speech.
• Change the pronouns: The next step is to change the pronouns in the indirect speech to match the person speaking in the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “She said that she was going to the store,” the direct speech would be “I am going to the store,” if you are the person speaking.
• Change the tense: Change the tense of the verbs in the indirect speech to match the tense of the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “He said that he would visit tomorrow,” the direct speech would be “He says he will visit tomorrow.”
• Remove the reporting verb and conjunction: In direct speech, there is no need for a reporting verb or conjunction. Simply remove them from the indirect speech to get the direct speech.

Here is an example to illustrate the process:

Indirect Speech: John said that he was tired and wanted to go home.

Direct Speech: “I am tired and want to go home,” John said.

By following these steps, you can easily convert indirect speech into direct speech.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and indirect speech are two ways to report what someone has said. Direct speech reports the exact words spoken by a person, while indirect speech reports the meaning of what was said. Here are some examples of both types of speech:

Direct Speech Examples

Direct speech is used when you want to report the exact words spoken by someone. It is usually enclosed in quotation marks and is often used in dialogue.

• “I am going to the store,” said Sarah.
• “It’s a beautiful day,” exclaimed John.
• “Please turn off the lights,” Mom told me.
• “I will meet you at the library,” said Tom.
• “We are going to the beach tomorrow,” announced Mary.

Indirect Speech Examples

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. It is often used in news reports, academic writing, and in situations where you want to paraphrase what someone said.

Here are some examples of indirect speech:

• Sarah said that she was going to the store.
• John exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
• Mom told me to turn off the lights.
• Tom said that he would meet me at the library.
• Mary announced that they were going to the beach tomorrow.

In indirect speech, the verb tense may change to reflect the time of the reported speech. For example, “I am going to the store” becomes “Sarah said that she was going to the store.” Additionally, the pronouns and possessive adjectives may also change to reflect the speaker and the person being spoken about.

Overall, both direct and indirect speech are important tools for reporting what someone has said. By using these techniques, you can accurately convey the meaning of what was said while also adding your own interpretation and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech refer to the ways in which we communicate what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, using quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting someone. Indirect speech, on the other hand, involves reporting what someone has said without using their exact words.

How do you convert direct speech to indirect speech?

To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb, such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.” For example, “I love ice cream,” said Mary (direct speech) can be converted to “Mary said that she loved ice cream” (indirect speech).

What is the difference between direct speech and indirect speech?

The main difference between direct speech and indirect speech is that direct speech uses the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. Direct speech is usually enclosed in quotation marks, while indirect speech is not.

What are some examples of direct and indirect speech?

Some examples of direct speech include “I am going to the store,” said John and “I love pizza,” exclaimed Sarah. Some examples of indirect speech include John said that he was going to the store and Sarah exclaimed that she loved pizza .

What are the rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech?

The rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech include changing the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb and use appropriate reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.”

What is a summary of direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech are two ways of reporting what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions and introduce a reporting verb.

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English Grammar

Direct and indirect speech – quiz.

Change the following sentences from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.

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• English Grammar
• Grammar Exercises
• Direct And Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and indirect speech is one topic in English grammar that confuses most language learners. It need not necessarily be so; if you understand how it works, you can easily use it in your writing.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

When converting direct speech to indirect speech or vice-versa, you will have to take care to convert the verb , pronoun and the adverb appropriately. Go through the following exercises and try them out. Answers are given below each exercise; refer to them to see if your answers are right.

Exercise 1: Change into indirect speech

Read the following sentences and convert them into indirect speech.

• Rahul told to me, “When are you leaving?”
• “Where do you live?” the stranger asked Aladdin.
• The teacher said to Shelly, “Why are you laughing?”
• Dhronacharya said to Arjun, “Shoot the bird’s eye.”
• “Call the first convict,” said the jury.
• “Call the ambulance,” said the man.
• Bruce said to me, “I shall do the work.”
• My mother said to me, “You were wrong.”
• Mr Richard said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
• The captain said to me, “Bravo! You have played well.”
• Raj said, “Alas! My pet died.”
• Ruchi said, “I may go there.”
• Bucky said to Steve, “Do you hear me?”
• The boy said, “Let me come in.”
• Granny said to me, “May God bless you.”

Answers –

• Rahul asked me when I was leaving.
• The stranger asked Aladdin where he lived.
• The teacher asked Shelly why he was laughing.
• Dhronacharya ordered Arjun to shoot the fish’s eye.
• The jury ordered to call the first convict.
• The man urged to call the ambulance.
• Bruce said to me he would do the work.
• My mother told me that I was wrong.
• Mr Richard requested me to wait there till he returned.
• The captain applauded me, saying that I had played well.
• Raj exclaimed sadly that his pet died.
• Ruchi said that she might go there.
• Bucky asked Steve if he heard him.
• The boy asked to let him come in.
• Granny prayed that God might bless me.

Convert the following into Direct Speech

Read the following passage and convert it into direct speech.

One of them told Issac that the latter had forgotten one thing that belonged to a mill. Issac enquired what that was. The friend asked where the miller was. Issac replied that (absence of the miller) was true – and he must look for one.

“But Issac,” said one of them, “you have forgotten one thing that belongs to a mill.”

“What is that?” asked Issac.

“Why, where is the miller?” said his friend.

“That is true – I must look for one,” said Issac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct narration.

When the actual words/sentences as spoken by the speaker are quoted in a speech, it’s called direct speech/narration.

What is indirect speech?

When the quoted speech is reported in the form of a narrative without changing the meaning of the actual quotation/words by the speaker, it’s called indirect speech/narration.

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What is Direct and Indirect Speech? with Examples

Published by

Olivia Drake

Direct and indirect speech are two different ways of reporting spoken or written language. Let’s delve into the details and provide some examples.

Direct Speech

Direct speech refers to the exact words someone said, often (but not always) enclosed in quotation marks. It is also known as quoted speech or direct discourse. This method is useful when you want to convey someone’s words verbatim.

For example:

Sarah said, “I’m feeling very happy today.””It’s a beautiful day,” commented John.In these examples, the words within the quotation marks are exactly what the speaker said.

Indirect Speech

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech or indirect discourse, is when you report what someone said, but not in their exact words. You’re paraphrasing their words. When you use indirect speech, you don’t use quotation marks.

Sarah said that she was feeling very happy that day.John commented that it was a beautiful day.In these examples, you’re reporting the essence of what the speaker said, but not using their exact words.

It’s also worth noting that in indirect speech, verb tenses, pronouns, and words expressing time and place may need to change to reflect the shift in perspective.

Here is an example:

Direct speech:  He said, “I am going to the store now.” Indirect speech:  He said that he was going to the store then.

Notice how “am” changed to “was” and “now” changed to “then”. This is because the time and context have shifted from when the speaker originally spoke to when the speaker’s words were reported.

Click here if you want to read more about direct and indirect speech.

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