↑
๐ Content updated on 27 April 2026
๐ฃ️ Direct & Indirect Speech – Quick Summary:
Direct speech repeats the speaker's exact words in quotation marks (He said, "I am happy"). Indirect speech reports what was said without quotes, making necessary changes to pronouns, tenses, time expressions, and sentence structure. Key rules: present → past, past → past perfect, 'will' → 'would', 'here' → 'there', 'now' → 'then'.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence in direct speech and change it to indirect speech, or vice versa if directed. Pay close attention to tense, pronoun, and time/place word changes. Then click “Show Answer” for the correct transformation and an explanation.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence in direct speech and change it to indirect speech, or vice versa if directed. Pay close attention to tense, pronoun, and time/place word changes. Then click “Show Answer” for the correct transformation and an explanation.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Moving from direct to indirect speech requires careful attention to tense and pronoun shifts. Our
Direct & Indirect Speech
concept page breaks down all the rules with clear examples. When you're comfortable with the basics, the
Reported Speech Advanced
lesson takes you into mixed sentences and exceptions.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's learn how to convert direct speech into indirect speech for statements, questions, and commands.
Solved Q.1
He said, "I am happy." (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he was happy.
Explanation: Present tense 'am' changes to past 'was'. Pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to match the speaker. 'That' is added as a conjunction.
Example: She said, "I like ice-cream." → She said that she liked ice-cream.
Explanation: Present tense 'am' changes to past 'was'. Pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to match the speaker. 'That' is added as a conjunction.
Example: She said, "I like ice-cream." → She said that she liked ice-cream.
Solved Q.2
She said to me, "I am reading a book." (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She told me that she was reading a book.
Explanation: 'Said to' changes to 'told'. Present continuous 'am reading' changes to past continuous 'was reading'.
Example: He said to me, "I am going." → He told me that he was going.
Explanation: 'Said to' changes to 'told'. Present continuous 'am reading' changes to past continuous 'was reading'.
Example: He said to me, "I am going." → He told me that he was going.
Solved Q.3
He said, "Are you coming to the party?" (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He asked if/whether I was coming to the party.
Explanation: Questions use 'asked' instead of 'said'. The question structure changes to statement order. 'Are you' becomes 'I was'. Use 'if' or 'whether'.
Example: She said, "Do you like music?" → She asked if I liked music.
Explanation: Questions use 'asked' instead of 'said'. The question structure changes to statement order. 'Are you' becomes 'I was'. Use 'if' or 'whether'.
Example: She said, "Do you like music?" → She asked if I liked music.
Solved Q.4
The teacher said, "Sit down and be quiet." (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The teacher ordered/told us to sit down and be quiet.
Explanation: Commands use 'ordered', 'told', 'commanded', or 'requested' + 'to' + verb. The imperative becomes infinitive.
Example: He said, "Close the door." → He ordered me to close the door.
Explanation: Commands use 'ordered', 'told', 'commanded', or 'requested' + 'to' + verb. The imperative becomes infinitive.
Example: He said, "Close the door." → He ordered me to close the door.
Solved Q.5
She said, "I will help you tomorrow." (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she would help me the next day.
Explanation: 'Will' changes to 'would'. 'Tomorrow' changes to 'the next day / the following day'. 'You' changes to 'me'.
Example: He said, "I will call you tonight." → He said that he would call me that night.
Explanation: 'Will' changes to 'would'. 'Tomorrow' changes to 'the next day / the following day'. 'You' changes to 'me'.
Example: He said, "I will call you tonight." → He said that he would call me that night.
Solved Q.6
He said, "I have finished my homework." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he had finished his homework.
Example: She said, "I have seen that movie." → She said that she had seen that movie.
Example: She said, "I have seen that movie." → She said that she had seen that movie.
Solved Q.7
Riya said, "I was playing in the park." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: Riya said that she had been playing in the park.
Example: He said, "I was sleeping." → He said that he had been sleeping.
Example: He said, "I was sleeping." → He said that he had been sleeping.
Solved Q.8
He said, "Where do you live?" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He asked where I lived.
Example: She said, "What is your name?" → She asked what my name was.
Example: She said, "What is your name?" → She asked what my name was.
Solved Q.9
The captain said, "Bravo! You have played well." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The captain exclaimed with praise that they had played well.
Example: She said, "Alas! I am ruined." → She exclaimed with sorrow that she was ruined.
Example: She said, "Alas! I am ruined." → She exclaimed with sorrow that she was ruined.
Solved Q.10
He said to me, "Please help me." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He requested me to help him.
Example: She said, "Please give me a glass of water." → She requested to give her a glass of water.
Example: She said, "Please give me a glass of water." → She requested to give her a glass of water.
Solved Q.11
He said, "Can you lend me your pen?" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He asked if I could lend him my pen.
Example: She said, "Will you come?" → She asked if I would come.
Example: She said, "Will you come?" → She asked if I would come.
Solved Q.12
The teacher said, "The earth revolves around the sun." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun.
Explanation: Universal truth → tense remains unchanged.
Example: He said, "Honesty is the best policy." → He said that honesty is the best policy.
Explanation: Universal truth → tense remains unchanged.
Example: He said, "Honesty is the best policy." → He said that honesty is the best policy.
Solved Q.13
She said, "I bought this dress yesterday." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had bought that dress the previous day.
Example: He said, "I met her last week." → He said that he had met her the previous week.
Example: He said, "I met her last week." → He said that he had met her the previous week.
Solved Q.14
He said, "Let's go for a walk." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He suggested that we should go for a walk. / He proposed going for a walk.
Example: She said, "Let's play." → She suggested that they should play.
Example: She said, "Let's play." → She suggested that they should play.
Solved Q.15
He said, "May God bless you!" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He prayed that God might bless me.
Example: She said, "May you live long!" → She prayed that I might live long.
Example: She said, "May you live long!" → She prayed that I might live long.
Solved Q.16
She said, "How beautiful the rainbow is!" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She exclaimed with wonder that the rainbow was very beautiful.
Example: He said, "What a lovely garden!" → He exclaimed with admiration that the garden was very lovely.
Example: He said, "What a lovely garden!" → He exclaimed with admiration that the garden was very lovely.
Solved Q.17
He said, "Who taught you French?" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He asked who had taught me French.
Example: She said, "Who broke this?" → She asked who had broken that.
Example: She said, "Who broke this?" → She asked who had broken that.
Solved Q.18
The police officer said to the driver, "Show me your licence." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The police officer ordered the driver to show him his licence.
Example: The principal said, "Don't be late." → The principal warned us not to be late.
Example: The principal said, "Don't be late." → The principal warned us not to be late.
Solved Q.19
She said, "I cannot help you now." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she could not help me then.
Example: He said, "I am busy now." → He said that he was busy then.
Example: He said, "I am busy now." → He said that he was busy then.
Solved Q.20
He said, "I will come here again." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he would go there again.
Explanation: 'Come' changes to 'go' (perspective change). 'Here' changes to 'there'.
Example: She said, "I will come here tomorrow." → She said that she would go there the next day.
Explanation: 'Come' changes to 'go' (perspective change). 'Here' changes to 'there'.
Example: She said, "I will come here tomorrow." → She said that she would go there the next day.
Reported speech also involves changes to modals and time expressions. If you want to strengthen your understanding of modal verbs first, the
Modals and Auxiliaries
concept post is helpful. And once you've got the hang of statements, questions, and commands, take on the
Reported Speech Advanced
challenges next.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now change these sentences from direct to indirect speech. Try yourself first, then check.
Practice Q.1
She said, "I like chocolates."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she liked chocolates.
Example: He said, "I love reading." → He said that he loved reading.
Example: He said, "I love reading." → He said that he loved reading.
Practice Q.2
He said to me, "You are my best friend."
Show Answer
Answer: He told me that I was his best friend.
Example: She said to him, "You are late." → She told him that he was late.
Example: She said to him, "You are late." → She told him that he was late.
Practice Q.3
He said, "I am going to the market."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he was going to the market.
Example: She said, "I am cooking dinner." → She said that she was cooking dinner.
Example: She said, "I am cooking dinner." → She said that she was cooking dinner.
Practice Q.4
He said, "Do you know the way?"
Show Answer
Answer: He asked if I knew the way.
Example: She said, "Are you hungry?" → She asked if I was hungry.
Example: She said, "Are you hungry?" → She asked if I was hungry.
Practice Q.5
The teacher said, "Open your books."
Show Answer
Answer: The teacher ordered/told us to open our books.
Example: He said, "Stand up." → He ordered me to stand up.
Example: He said, "Stand up." → He ordered me to stand up.
Practice Q.6
She said, "I have lost my pen."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had lost her pen.
Example: He said, "I have found a wallet." → He said that he had found a wallet.
Example: He said, "I have found a wallet." → He said that he had found a wallet.
Practice Q.7
He said, "I will call you later."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he would call me later.
Example: She said, "I will help you." → She said that she would help me.
Example: She said, "I will help you." → She said that she would help me.
Practice Q.8
He said, "What are you doing?"
Show Answer
Answer: He asked what I was doing.
Example: She said, "Where are they going?" → She asked where they were going.
Example: She said, "Where are they going?" → She asked where they were going.
Practice Q.9
The doctor said, "Take this medicine regularly."
Show Answer
Answer: The doctor advised me to take that medicine regularly.
Example: She said, "Eat healthy food." → She advised me to eat healthy food.
Example: She said, "Eat healthy food." → She advised me to eat healthy food.
Practice Q.10
She said, "I saw him yesterday."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had seen him the previous day.
Example: He said, "I went there last night." → He said that he had gone there the previous night.
Example: He said, "I went there last night." → He said that he had gone there the previous night.
Practice Q.11
He said, "Can you solve this sum?"
Show Answer
Answer: He asked if I could solve that sum.
Example: She said, "Will you attend the party?" → She asked if I would attend the party.
Example: She said, "Will you attend the party?" → She asked if I would attend the party.
Practice Q.12
She said, "I am learning French."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she was learning French.
Example: He said, "I am reading a novel." → He said that he was reading a novel.
Example: He said, "I am reading a novel." → He said that he was reading a novel.
Practice Q.13
He said, "Don't touch that wire."
Show Answer
Answer: He warned me not to touch that wire.
Example: She said, "Don't go near the fire." → She warned me not to go near the fire.
Example: She said, "Don't go near the fire." → She warned me not to go near the fire.
Practice Q.14
He said, "I was watching TV."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he had been watching TV.
Example: She said, "I was sleeping." → She said that she had been sleeping.
Example: She said, "I was sleeping." → She said that she had been sleeping.
Practice Q.15
He said, "I can swim."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he could swim.
Example: She said, "I must go." → She said that she had to go.
Example: She said, "I must go." → She said that she had to go.
Practice Q.16
She said, "Why are you crying?"
Show Answer
Answer: She asked why I was crying.
Example: He said, "When will the train arrive?" → He asked when the train would arrive.
Example: He said, "When will the train arrive?" → He asked when the train would arrive.
Practice Q.17
He said, "Let's play cricket."
Show Answer
Answer: He suggested that they should play cricket.
Example: She said, "Let's go shopping." → She suggested that they should go shopping.
Example: She said, "Let's go shopping." → She suggested that they should go shopping.
Practice Q.18
She said, "I must finish this today."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had to finish that that day.
Example: He said, "I must leave now." → He said that he had to leave then.
Example: He said, "I must leave now." → He said that he had to leave then.
Practice Q.19
He said to me, "I don't know you."
Show Answer
Answer: He told me that he didn't know me.
Example: She said, "I cannot help you." → She said that she could not help me.
Example: She said, "I cannot help you." → She said that she could not help me.
Practice Q.20
He said, "What a strange story!"
Show Answer
Answer: He exclaimed that it was a very strange story.
Example: She said, "How pretty the dress is!" → She exclaimed that the dress was very pretty.
Example: She said, "How pretty the dress is!" → She exclaimed that the dress was very pretty.
๐ Explore Our Learning Hubs
- GPN Knowledge Hub — fascinating reads and study tips for curious learners.
- Hindi Grammar Hub — clear, comprehensive Hindi vyakaran.
- Worksheets Master Hub — complete library for every subject and grade.
- Mathematics Hub — step‑by‑step maths tutorials for all grades.
๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These include mixed types, exclamations, and tricky tense shifts.
Challenge Q.1
He said, "I met her yesterday and she looked happy."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he had met her the previous day and that she had looked happy.
Example: She said, "I ate and slept." → She said that she had eaten and slept.
Example: She said, "I ate and slept." → She said that she had eaten and slept.
Challenge Q.2
He said, "If I were rich, I would travel the world."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that if he were rich, he would travel the world. (Tense unchanged in unreal condition)
Example: She said, "If I knew, I would help." → She said that if she knew, she would help.
Example: She said, "If I knew, I would help." → She said that if she knew, she would help.
Challenge Q.3
She said, "Alas! I have failed the test."
Show Answer
Answer: She exclaimed with sorrow that she had failed the test.
Example: He said, "Hurrah! We won." → He exclaimed with joy that they had won.
Example: He said, "Hurrah! We won." → He exclaimed with joy that they had won.
Challenge Q.4
He said to me, "Do you know who she is?"
Show Answer
Answer: He asked me if I knew who she was.
Example: She said, "Can you tell me where he lives?" → She asked if I could tell her where he lived.
Example: She said, "Can you tell me where he lives?" → She asked if I could tell her where he lived.
Challenge Q.5
The boy said, "I will try harder next time."
Show Answer
Answer: The boy said that he would try harder the next time.
Example: She said, "I'll see you tomorrow." → She said that she would see me the next day.
Example: She said, "I'll see you tomorrow." → She said that she would see me the next day.
Challenge Q.6
He said, "Let me go home now."
Show Answer
Answer: He requested that he might be allowed to go home then.
Example: She said, "Let me speak." → She requested that she might be allowed to speak.
Example: She said, "Let me speak." → She requested that she might be allowed to speak.
Challenge Q.7
He said, "I shall go to Delhi tomorrow."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he would go to Delhi the next day.
Example: She said, "I shall return soon." → She said that she would return soon.
Example: She said, "I shall return soon." → She said that she would return soon.
Challenge Q.8
She said, "I wish I had studied harder."
Show Answer
Answer: She wished that she had studied harder. (Wish stays unchanged)
Example: He said, "I wish I were a bird." → He wished that he were a bird.
Example: He said, "I wish I were a bird." → He wished that he were a bird.
Challenge Q.9
The stranger said to me, "Can you show me the way to the station?"
Show Answer
Answer: The stranger asked me if I could show him the way to the station.
Example: She said, "Can I use your phone?" → She asked if she could use my phone.
Example: She said, "Can I use your phone?" → She asked if she could use my phone.
Challenge Q.10
He said, "How foolish I have been!"
Show Answer
Answer: He exclaimed with regret that he had been very foolish.
Example: She said, "What a mistake I made!" → She exclaimed with regret that she had made a big mistake.
Example: She said, "What a mistake I made!" → She exclaimed with regret that she had made a big mistake.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is the golden rule for changing direct to indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: The tense of the reported verb goes one step back (present → past, past → past perfect), pronouns change according to the speaker-listener relationship, and time/place words change (now → then, here → there, today → that day).
FAQ 2
What is the difference between 'said' and 'told'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Said' is used without an object (He said that...). 'Said to' becomes 'told' in indirect speech when there is an object (He said to me → He told me). 'Told' is also used for commands and advice.
FAQ 3
What changes happen to modals in indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Can' → 'could', 'will' → 'would', 'shall' → 'should/would', 'may' → 'might'. 'Must' often becomes 'had to'. 'Could', 'would', 'should', 'might' usually stay the same.
FAQ 4
How do I change interrogative sentences into indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: Use 'asked' or 'enquired' instead of 'said'. Change the question into a statement (subject before verb). Use 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions, and the question word for WH‑questions. Remove the question mark.
FAQ 5
What time and place words change in indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: Now → then, today → that day, yesterday → the previous day/the day before, tomorrow → the next day/the following day, last week → the previous week, here → there, this → that, these → those, ago → before, come → go.
