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๐ Content updated on 27 April 2026
๐ฃ️ Reported Speech Advanced – Quick Summary:
Advanced reported speech covers sentences that mix statements, questions, commands, and exclamations. Key areas include: universal truths (tense unchanged), time clauses (conditionals with tense backshift or unchanged), reporting verbs beyond 'said'/'told' (admitted, denied, suggested, insisted, exclaimed), and handling multiple types of sentences in a single quotation. You must carefully maintain logical sequence and choose the right introductory verb.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence with mixed or advanced direct speech and change it to indirect speech. Pay close attention to whether tense changes apply, and select the appropriate reporting verb. Then click “Show Answer” to see the correct transformation and an explanation.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence with mixed or advanced direct speech and change it to indirect speech. Pay close attention to whether tense changes apply, and select the appropriate reporting verb. Then click “Show Answer” to see the correct transformation and an explanation.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Advanced reported speech requires careful selection of reporting verbs and handling of exceptions. Our detailed
Reported Speech Advanced
guide walks you through mixed sentences and tricky transformations. For a solid foundation, the
Direct & Indirect Speech
page covers the essential rules.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's explore advanced reported speech transformations with mixed sentences, universal truths, and nuanced reporting verbs.
Solved Q.1
He said, "The sun rises in the east." (Change to Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that the sun rises in the east.
Explanation: Universal truths remain in the present tense even in indirect speech. No backshift applies.
Example: The teacher said, "Water boils at 100°C." → The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
Explanation: Universal truths remain in the present tense even in indirect speech. No backshift applies.
Example: The teacher said, "Water boils at 100°C." → The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
Solved Q.2
She said, "I have lived here since childhood." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had lived there since childhood.
Explanation: 'Have lived' changes to 'had lived' (present perfect → past perfect). 'Here' becomes 'there'.
Example: He said, "I have known her for years." → He said that he had known her for years.
Explanation: 'Have lived' changes to 'had lived' (present perfect → past perfect). 'Here' becomes 'there'.
Example: He said, "I have known her for years." → He said that he had known her for years.
Solved Q.3
She said to me, "I can't help you now, but I will try tomorrow." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: She told me that she couldn't help me then but she would try the next day.
Explanation: Mixed sentence: two clauses joined by 'but'. Can't → couldn't, now → then, will → would, tomorrow → the next day.
Example: He said, "I am tired but I will finish." → He said that he was tired but he would finish.
Explanation: Mixed sentence: two clauses joined by 'but'. Can't → couldn't, now → then, will → would, tomorrow → the next day.
Example: He said, "I am tired but I will finish." → He said that he was tired but he would finish.
Solved Q.4
The teacher said, "Study hard if you want to succeed." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The teacher advised us to study hard if we wanted to succeed.
Explanation: Imperative with advice. 'Study hard' becomes 'to study hard'. The conditional clause also takes past tense.
Example: She said, "Work hard and you will pass." → She advised me to work hard and I would pass.
Explanation: Imperative with advice. 'Study hard' becomes 'to study hard'. The conditional clause also takes past tense.
Example: She said, "Work hard and you will pass." → She advised me to work hard and I would pass.
Solved Q.5
He said, "I saw her when she was leaving the house." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he had seen her when she was leaving the house.
Explanation: 'Saw' → 'had seen' (past → past perfect). The time clause 'when she was leaving' often stays in past continuous because the sequence is clear.
Example: She said, "I met him when I was shopping." → She said that she had met him when she was shopping.
Explanation: 'Saw' → 'had seen' (past → past perfect). The time clause 'when she was leaving' often stays in past continuous because the sequence is clear.
Example: She said, "I met him when I was shopping." → She said that she had met him when she was shopping.
Solved Q.6
He said, "If I had money, I would buy a car." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that if he had money, he would buy a car. (Tense unchanged – unreal condition)
Example: She said, "If I were you, I would go." → She said that if she were me, she would go.
Example: She said, "If I were you, I would go." → She said that if she were me, she would go.
Solved Q.7
He said, "What a beautiful painting! Who made it?" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He exclaimed with admiration that it was a very beautiful painting and asked who had made it.
Example: She said, "How sad! What happened?" → She exclaimed with sorrow that it was very sad and asked what had happened.
Example: She said, "How sad! What happened?" → She exclaimed with sorrow that it was very sad and asked what had happened.
Solved Q.8
The policeman said to the thief, "Where have you kept the stolen goods? Tell me the truth." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The policeman asked the thief where he had kept the stolen goods and ordered him to tell the truth.
Example: She said, "Why are you late? Come in." → She asked why he was late and told him to come in.
Example: She said, "Why are you late? Come in." → She asked why he was late and told him to come in.
Solved Q.9
He said, "Let's not argue about this anymore." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He suggested that they should not argue about that anymore.
Example: She said, "Let's wait for a while." → She suggested that they should wait for a while.
Example: She said, "Let's wait for a while." → She suggested that they should wait for a while.
Solved Q.10
The doctor said to the patient, "You must take your medicines regularly and don't eat fried food." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The doctor advised the patient that he had to take his medicines regularly and warned him not to eat fried food.
Example: He said, "You must hurry and don't look back." → He advised me that I had to hurry and warned me not to look back.
Example: He said, "You must hurry and don't look back." → He advised me that I had to hurry and warned me not to look back.
Solved Q.11
He said, "I think she will arrive soon." (Indirect using 'thought')
Show Answer
Answer: He thought that she would arrive soon. (Or: He said that he thought she would arrive soon.)
Example: She said, "I believe he is honest." → She believed that he was honest.
Example: She said, "I believe he is honest." → She believed that he was honest.
Solved Q.12
"I didn't break the window," the boy said. (Indirect using 'denied')
Show Answer
Answer: The boy denied that he had broken the window. / The boy denied breaking the window.
Example: She said, "I didn't take your pen." → She denied taking my pen.
Example: She said, "I didn't take your pen." → She denied taking my pen.
Solved Q.13
He said to me, "Congratulations! You have won the scholarship." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He congratulated me saying that I had won the scholarship. / He congratulated me on winning the scholarship.
Example: They said, "Well done! You have passed." → They applauded me saying that I had passed.
Example: They said, "Well done! You have passed." → They applauded me saying that I had passed.
Solved Q.14
She said, "I agree to your proposal." (Indirect using 'agreed')
Show Answer
Answer: She agreed to my proposal. (Or: She said that she agreed to my proposal.)
Example: He said, "I will join you." → He agreed to join us.
Example: He said, "I will join you." → He agreed to join us.
Solved Q.15
He said, "I must finish this before the deadline." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he had to finish that before the deadline.
Example: She said, "I must call her now." → She said that she had to call her then.
Example: She said, "I must call her now." → She said that she had to call her then.
Solved Q.16
He said, "I promise I will never lie again." (Indirect using 'promised')
Show Answer
Answer: He promised that he would never lie again.
Example: She said, "I will return your book tomorrow." → She promised to return my book the next day.
Example: She said, "I will return your book tomorrow." → She promised to return my book the next day.
Solved Q.17
"I am sorry I shouted at you," he said to me. (Indirect using 'apologised')
Show Answer
Answer: He apologised for shouting at me. / He apologised and said that he was sorry he had shouted at me.
Example: She said, "I am sorry I broke your vase." → She apologised for breaking my vase.
Example: She said, "I am sorry I broke your vase." → She apologised for breaking my vase.
Solved Q.18
The tourist said, "What a wonderful monument! How old is it?" (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The tourist exclaimed with wonder that it was a very wonderful monument and asked how old it was.
Example: She said, "How cute! Where did you get it?" → She exclaimed that it was very cute and asked where I had got it.
Example: She said, "How cute! Where did you get it?" → She exclaimed that it was very cute and asked where I had got it.
Solved Q.19
He said, "They were watching TV when I called." (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: He said that they had been watching TV when he called.
Explanation: Past continuous in time clauses often remains unchanged; past continuous here becomes past perfect continuous.
Example: She said, "I was sleeping when the bell rang." → She said that she had been sleeping when the bell rang.
Explanation: Past continuous in time clauses often remains unchanged; past continuous here becomes past perfect continuous.
Example: She said, "I was sleeping when the bell rang." → She said that she had been sleeping when the bell rang.
Solved Q.20
"The earth is round and it rotates on its axis," the teacher said. (Indirect)
Show Answer
Answer: The teacher said that the earth is round and that it rotates on its axis. (Universal truths – tense unchanged)
Example: He said, "Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C." → He said that water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.
Example: He said, "Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C." → He said that water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.
Mastering advanced reported speech helps you handle complex sentences in exams and writing. For further practice with transformation and synthesis, revisit the
Sentence Transformation
guide. And the
Synthesis of Sentences
lesson complements the combining technique used in reported speech.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now change these advanced direct speech sentences to indirect speech. Try first, then check.
Practice Q.1
He said, "I will be there at 5 pm."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he would be there at 5 pm.
Example: She said, "I will meet you outside." → She said that she would meet me outside.
Example: She said, "I will meet you outside." → She said that she would meet me outside.
Practice Q.2
She said, "I have never been to London."
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had never been to London.
Example: He said, "I have seen that film." → He said that he had seen that film.
Example: He said, "I have seen that film." → He said that he had seen that film.
Practice Q.3
"I am going to watch a movie tonight," he said.
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he was going to watch a movie that night.
Example: She said, "I am leaving tomorrow." → She said that she was leaving the next day.
Example: She said, "I am leaving tomorrow." → She said that she was leaving the next day.
Practice Q.4
He said, "Honesty is the best policy."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that honesty is the best policy.
Example: She said, "The sun sets in the west." → She said that the sun sets in the west.
Example: She said, "The sun sets in the west." → She said that the sun sets in the west.
Practice Q.5
"I have finished my work and now I am free," she said.
Show Answer
Answer: She said that she had finished her work and was then free.
Example: He said, "I ate and now I am full." → He said that he had eaten and was then full.
Example: He said, "I ate and now I am full." → He said that he had eaten and was then full.
Practice Q.6
He said, "I will help you if I have time."
Show Answer
Answer: He said that he would help me if he had time.
Example: She said, "I will come if it doesn't rain." → She said that she would come if it didn't rain.
Example: She said, "I will come if it doesn't rain." → She said that she would come if it didn't rain.
Practice Q.7
"I was sleeping when you called," she said to me.
Show Answer
Answer: She told me that she had been sleeping when I called.
Example: He said, "I was cooking when the doorbell rang." → He said that he had been cooking when the doorbell rang.
Example: He said, "I was cooking when the doorbell rang." → He said that he had been cooking when the doorbell rang.
Practice Q.8
The tourist said, "Can you tell me where the museum is?"
Show Answer
Answer: The tourist asked if I could tell him where the museum was.
Example: She said, "Do you know what time it is?" → She asked if I knew what time it was.
Example: She said, "Do you know what time it is?" → She asked if I knew what time it was.
Practice Q.9
He said, "Let me finish my work first."
Show Answer
Answer: He requested that he might be allowed to finish his work first.
Example: She said, "Let me think for a moment." → She requested to be allowed to think for a moment.
Example: She said, "Let me think for a moment." → She requested to be allowed to think for a moment.
Practice Q.10
"I am sorry I broke your toy," the child said to his friend.
Show Answer
Answer: The child apologised to his friend for breaking his toy.
Example: He said, "I am sorry I lied." → He apologised for lying.
Example: He said, "I am sorry I lied." → He apologised for lying.
Practice Q.11
"Draw a diagram and explain the process," the examiner said to the student.
Show Answer
Answer: The examiner instructed the student to draw a diagram and explain the process.
Example: She said, "Write neatly and underline the headings." → She instructed me to write neatly and underline the headings.
Example: She said, "Write neatly and underline the headings." → She instructed me to write neatly and underline the headings.
Practice Q.12
He said, "I can't believe that you did this!"
Show Answer
Answer: He exclaimed with surprise that he couldn't believe that I had done that.
Example: She said, "I am shocked that you lied!" → She exclaimed with shock that she was surprised that I had lied.
Example: She said, "I am shocked that you lied!" → She exclaimed with shock that she was surprised that I had lied.
Practice Q.13
"The train had already left when I arrived," he said.
Show Answer
Answer: He said that the train had already left when he arrived.
Explanation: 'Had left' is already past perfect, so it stays unchanged. 'Arrived' changes to 'had arrived' or can stay as simple past in time clause. Both acceptable.
Example: She said, "He had gone before I called." → She said that he had gone before she called.
Explanation: 'Had left' is already past perfect, so it stays unchanged. 'Arrived' changes to 'had arrived' or can stay as simple past in time clause. Both acceptable.
Example: She said, "He had gone before I called." → She said that he had gone before she called.
Practice Q.14
She said, "I wish I could fly like a bird."
Show Answer
Answer: She wished that she could fly like a bird. (Wish statement – tense often unchanged for unreal wish)
Example: He said, "I wish I were rich." → He wished that he were rich.
Example: He said, "I wish I were rich." → He wished that he were rich.
Practice Q.15
"How dare you speak to me like that!" he said to the clerk.
Show Answer
Answer: He exclaimed with anger that the clerk had dared to speak to him like that. / He angrily asked the clerk how he dared to speak to him like that.
Example: She said, "How dare you say that!" → She exclaimed angrily that he had dared to say that.
Example: She said, "How dare you say that!" → She exclaimed angrily that he had dared to say that.
Practice Q.16
"Remember to lock the door before you leave," mother said to me.
Show Answer
Answer: Mother reminded me to lock the door before I left.
Example: He said, "Don't forget to bring the tickets." → He reminded me to bring the tickets.
Example: He said, "Don't forget to bring the tickets." → He reminded me to bring the tickets.
Practice Q.17
He said, "May God help us in this difficult time!"
Show Answer
Answer: He prayed that God might help them in that difficult time.
Example: She said, "May you succeed in life!" → She prayed that I might succeed in life.
Example: She said, "May you succeed in life!" → She prayed that I might succeed in life.
Practice Q.18
"I will not apologise because I did nothing wrong," she insisted.
Show Answer
Answer: She insisted that she would not apologise because she had done nothing wrong.
Example: He said, "I am innocent and I will prove it." → He insisted that he was innocent and would prove it.
Example: He said, "I am innocent and I will prove it." → He insisted that he was innocent and would prove it.
Practice Q.19
"I have never seen such a beautiful garden," the visitor said.
Show Answer
Answer: The visitor exclaimed that he had never seen such a beautiful garden.
Example: She said, "I have never tasted anything like this." → She exclaimed that she had never tasted anything like that.
Example: She said, "I have never tasted anything like this." → She exclaimed that she had never tasted anything like that.
Practice Q.20
"Will you lend me your book? I will return it tomorrow," he said to me.
Show Answer
Answer: He asked me if I would lend him my book and promised to return it the next day.
Example: She said, "Can you help me? I will be grateful." → She asked if I could help her and said that she would be grateful.
Example: She said, "Can you help me? I will be grateful." → She asked if I could help her and said that she would be grateful.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These involve highly mixed sentences, sophisticated reporting verbs, and nuanced tense decisions.
Challenge Q.1
"Why didn't you call me? I was waiting all evening," she said to him.
Show Answer
Answer: She asked him why he hadn't called her and said that she had been waiting all evening.
Example: He said, "Where were you? I searched everywhere." → He asked me where I had been and said that he had searched everywhere.
Example: He said, "Where were you? I searched everywhere." → He asked me where I had been and said that he had searched everywhere.
Challenge Q.2
"If I had known the truth, I would have never trusted him," she admitted.
Show Answer
Answer: She admitted that if she had known the truth, she would have never trusted him. (Third conditional – unchanged)
Example: He said, "If I had studied, I would have passed." → He said that if he had studied, he would have passed.
Example: He said, "If I had studied, I would have passed." → He said that if he had studied, he would have passed.
Challenge Q.3
"What do you want and why are you here?" the guard asked the stranger.
Show Answer
Answer: The guard asked the stranger what he wanted and why he was there.
Example: She said, "Who are you and what do you want?" → She asked who I was and what I wanted.
Example: She said, "Who are you and what do you want?" → She asked who I was and what I wanted.
Challenge Q.4
"I am sorry that I could not attend the meeting yesterday. I had an emergency," he said.
Show Answer
Answer: He apologised for not attending the meeting the previous day and explained that he had had an emergency.
Example: She said, "I am sorry I missed your call. I was driving." → She apologised for missing my call and said that she had been driving.
Example: She said, "I am sorry I missed your call. I was driving." → She apologised for missing my call and said that she had been driving.
Challenge Q.5
"Please, please forgive me. I will never do it again. I promise," the boy begged his mother.
Show Answer
Answer: The boy begged his mother to forgive him and promised that he would never do it again.
Example: He said, "Please help me. I will be grateful forever." → He begged for help and said that he would be grateful forever.
Example: He said, "Please help me. I will be grateful forever." → He begged for help and said that he would be grateful forever.
Challenge Q.6
"I think we should leave now, or we will miss the last train," he said to his friends.
Show Answer
Answer: He told his friends that he thought they should leave then, or they would miss the last train.
Example: She said, "I feel we should wait, or we might miss him." → She said that she felt they should wait, or they might miss him.
Example: She said, "I feel we should wait, or we might miss him." → She said that she felt they should wait, or they might miss him.
Challenge Q.7
"Don't be silly! Of course you can do it," she said to me encouragingly.
Show Answer
Answer: She encouraged me not to be silly and assured me that I could certainly do it.
Example: He said, "Don't worry! Everything will be fine." → He comforted me not to worry and assured that everything would be fine.
Example: He said, "Don't worry! Everything will be fine." → He comforted me not to worry and assured that everything would be fine.
Challenge Q.8
"I have finished my report, but I haven't submitted it yet. I will do it first thing tomorrow," the student told the professor.
Show Answer
Answer: The student told the professor that he had finished his report, but he hadn't submitted it yet, and he would do it first thing the next day.
Example: She said, "I have cooked dinner, but I haven't set the table. I'll do it now." → She said that she had cooked dinner, but she hadn't set the table, and she would do it then.
Example: She said, "I have cooked dinner, but I haven't set the table. I'll do it now." → She said that she had cooked dinner, but she hadn't set the table, and she would do it then.
Challenge Q.9
"Is there any possibility that you can complete this project by next week?" the manager inquired.
Show Answer
Answer: The manager inquired if there was any possibility that I could complete that project by the following week.
Example: She said, "Do you think you can finish this by tomorrow?" → She asked if I thought I could finish that by the next day.
Example: She said, "Do you think you can finish this by tomorrow?" → She asked if I thought I could finish that by the next day.
Challenge Q.10
"If you don't stop making noise, I will call the police," the neighbour warned the children.
Show Answer
Answer: The neighbour warned the children that if they didn't stop making noise, he would call the police.
Example: She said, "If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus." → She warned me that if I didn't hurry, I would miss the bus.
Example: She said, "If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus." → She warned me that if I didn't hurry, I would miss the bus.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
Do universal truths always stay in the present tense in indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: Yes, statements that are universal truths, scientific facts, or proverbs remain unchanged in indirect speech. Example: He said, "The earth is round." → He said that the earth is round.
FAQ 2
When do we avoid backshifting tenses in reported speech?
Show Answer
Answer: Tenses remain unchanged for universal truths, habitual facts, proverbs, second and third conditional sentences (unreal past), wishes, and when the reporting verb is in present or future tense.
FAQ 3
What reporting verbs can replace 'said' in advanced indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: Depending on the tone, you can use: admitted, denied, agreed, offered, promised, refused, threatened, warned, advised, suggested, insisted, exclaimed, apologised, congratulated, begged, encouraged, reminded, complained, explained, boasted.
FAQ 4
How do you handle sentences with mixed types (statement + question + command)?
Show Answer
Answer: Connect the parts with 'and' or 'but', and use the appropriate verb for each clause (said, asked, told, advised, etc.). Keep the sequence logical: "He said, 'I am tired. Bring me water.'" → "He said that he was tired and asked me to bring him water."
FAQ 5
Does 'must' always change to 'had to' in indirect speech?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Must' changes to 'had to' when it expresses obligation or necessity. When it expresses a logical deduction or permanent rule, it may remain unchanged. Example: "You must wear a seatbelt." → He said that I had to wear a seatbelt. / "It must be raining." → He said that it must be raining.
