Direct & Indirect Speech

Change in 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.
Tense Change
 Imperative Sentences
In imperative sentences Reporting
verb is changed into ask/advise/ request.
Tense remains the same.
Verb is changed into infinitives.
 Exclamatory Sentences
In Exclamatory sentences Reporting verb
is changed into exclaimed with joy/ sorrow/
anger/surprise etc.
Let's Practice
1. David said to Anna, “Mona will leave for her native
place tomorrow.”

A. David told Anna that Mona will leave for her native
place tomorrow.
B. David told Anna that Mona left for her native place the
next day.
C. David told Anna that Mona would be leaving for her
native place tomorrow.
D. David told Anna that Mona would leave for her native
place the next day.
1. David said to Anna, “Mona will leave for her native
place tomorrow.”

Answer: Option D

D. David told Anna that Mona would leave for her
native place the next day.
2. I said to him, “ Why are you working so hard?”

A. I asked him why he was working so hard.

B. I asked him why was he working so hard.
C. I asked him why had he been working so hard.
D. I asked him why he had been working so hard.
2. I said to him, “ Why are you working so hard?”

Answer: Option A

A. I asked him why he was working so hard.

3. He said to her, “What a cold day!”

A. He told her that it was a cold day

B. He exclaimed that it was a cold day.
C. He exclaimed sorrowfully that it was a cold day.
D. He exclaimed that it was a very cold day.
3. He said to her, “What a cold day!”

Answer: Option D

D. He exclaimed that it was a very cold day.

4. He said to interviewer, “Could you please repeat the
question?”

A. He requested the interviewer if he could please repeat

the question.
B. He requested the interviewer to please repeat the
question.
C. He requested the interviewer to repeat the question.
D. He requested the interviewer if he could repeat the
question.
4. He said to interviewer, “Could you please repeat
the question?”

Answer: Option C

C. He requested the interviewer to repeat the

question.
5. Kiran asked me, “Did you see the Cricket match on
television last night?”

A. Kiran asked me whether I saw the Cricket match on

television the earlier night.
B. Kiran asked me whether I had seen the Cricket match
on television the earlier night.
C. Kiran asked me did I see the Cricket match on
television the last night.
D. Kiran asked me whether I had seen the Cricket match
on television the last night.
5. Kiran asked me, “Did you see the Cricket match on
television last night?”

Answer: Option D

D. Kiran asked me whether I had seen the Cricket

match on television the last night.
Q6. Nancy said, “I may leave tomorrow.”

A. Nancy said that she might leave the next day.
B. Nancy said that she might leave tomorrow.
C. Nancy asked if she should leave the next day.
D. Nancy informed me to leave tomorrow
Q6. Nancy said, “I may leave tomorrow.”

Answer: Option A
A. Nancy said that she might leave the next day.
Q7. Keshav said, “Rita is busy right now.”

A. Keshav said Rita was busy.

B. Keshav informed that Rita was busy then.
C. Keshav said Rita had been busy.
D. Keshav informed that Rita is busy.
Q7. Keshav said, “Rita is busy right now.”

Answer: Option B
B. Keshav informed that Rita was busy then.
Q8. The teacher said, “You are suspended!.”
A. The teacher exclaimed that I am suspended.
B. The teacher exclaimed to me to suspend.
C. The teacher informed me that I was suspended.
D. The teacher exclaimed that I was suspended.
Q8. The teacher said, “You are suspended!.”

Answer: Option D
D. The teacher exclaimed that I was suspended.
Q9. He said, “I have been a great mentor.”
A. He said that he had been a great mentor.
B. He said that he was a great mentor.
C. He exclaimed that he was a great mentor.
D. He said that he has been a great mentor.
Q9. He said, “I have been a great mentor.”

Answer: Option A
A. He said that he had been a great mentor.
Q10. James said, “We went for a summer trip.”
A. James said that they went for a summer trip.
B. James said that they were on a summer trip.
C. James said that they had gone for a summer trip
D. James said they went for a summer trip
Q10. James said, “We went for a summer trip.”

Answer: Option C
C. James said that they had gone for a summer trip