What is it? Rules Tense Changes Pronouns Time & Place Sentence Types Exceptions Tips Exercises
"I love grammar!"
She said that she loved grammar.
"We are learning!"
They said they were learning.
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Class 7 · English Grammar
15

Direct & Indirect Speech

Reported Speech · Tense Changes · Pronoun Shifts · All Sentence Types

💬 Direct Speech
He said, "I am happy."
🗨 Indirect Speech
He said that he was happy.
💬 Section 1: What is Direct & Indirect Speech?

When we tell someone what another person said, we can do it in two ways:

💬
Direct Speech

We repeat the exact words of the speaker, using quotation marks (" ").

Ram said, "I am going to school."
🗨
Indirect Speech

We report the meaning of what was said, without quotation marks. Also called Reported Speech.

Ram said that he was going to school.
💡 Key Parts to Know

📣 Reporting Verb

The verb that introduces the speech: said, told, asked, ordered, exclaimed, etc.

💬 Reported Speech

The actual words spoken by the person. In direct speech, these are inside quotation marks.

🔗 Connector

In indirect speech, we often use "that" to connect the reporting verb and reported speech.

Direct Speech
She said, "I love painting."
➔
Indirect Speech
She said that she loved painting.
Direct Speech
The teacher said, "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
➔
Indirect Speech
The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
🌟 Did you know? In everyday life, we use indirect speech much more often than direct speech! When you tell your friend what your teacher said in class, you are using indirect speech.
📜 Section 2: Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect

Follow these 5 simple steps to convert direct speech into indirect speech. Think of them as a checklist!

1 Change the Reporting Verb

Choose the right reporting verb based on the type of sentence:

Type of SentenceDirect Speech VerbIndirect Speech Verb
Statementssaidsaid / told
Questionssaidasked / inquired
Commandssaidtold / ordered / commanded
Requestssaidrequested / begged
Exclamationssaidexclaimed / cried out
Advicesaidadvised / suggested
💡 Note: Use "told" only when there is a listener mentioned. Example: He told me that... (correct) / He said that... (correct) / He told that... (wrong!)

2 Remove Quotation Marks & Add "that"

In indirect speech, we remove the quotation marks and usually add the word that after the reporting verb.

Direct
He said, "I am fine."
➔
Indirect
He said that he was fine.
💡 Tip: The word "that" is optional in informal speech. You can say: "He said he was fine" (this is also correct!)

3 Change the Tense (Backshift Rule)

When the reporting verb is in the past tense (said, told, asked), we shift the tense of the reported speech one step back. This is called the Backshift Rule.

#Direct Speech (Tense)Indirect Speech (Tense)Example
1 Simple Present
(V1 / V1+s)		 Simple Past
(V2)		 "I play cricket" → He said he played cricket.
2 Present Continuous
(is/am/are + V-ing)		 Past Continuous
(was/were + V-ing)		 "I am reading" → He said he was reading.
3 Present Perfect
(has/have + V3)		 Past Perfect
(had + V3)		 "I have finished" → He said he had finished.
4 Present Perfect Continuous
(has/have been + V-ing)		 Past Perfect Continuous
(had been + V-ing)		 "I have been waiting" → He said he had been waiting.
5 Simple Past
(V2)		 Past Perfect
(had + V3)		 "I went home" → He said he had gone home.
6 Past Continuous
(was/were + V-ing)		 Past Perfect Continuous
(had been + V-ing)		 "I was sleeping" → He said he had been sleeping.
7 will would "I will help" → He said he would help.
8 can could "I can swim" → He said he could swim.
9 may might "I may come" → He said he might come.
10 shall should / would "I shall go" → He said he would go.
11 must must / had to "I must study" → He said he had to study.
🧠 Memory Trick: Think of the backshift as going one step into the past. Present becomes Past. Past becomes Past Perfect. Modals get their past form (will → would, can → could, may → might).
💡 No change needed for: would, could, should, might, ought to — these stay the same because they are already "past" forms of modals.

4 Change the Pronouns

Pronouns in the reported speech must be changed according to the speaker and the listener. Here is a handy table:

Direct SpeechIndirect SpeechExample
Ihe / she"I am happy" → He said that he was happy.
mehim / her"Help me" → She asked them to help her.
myhis / her"My bag is heavy" → She said that her bag was heavy.
minehis / hers"It is mine" → He said it was his.
myselfhimself / herself"I did it myself" → He said he had done it himself.
wethey"We are going" → They said that they were going.
usthem"Call us" → They told him to call them.
ourtheir"Our team won" → They said that their team had won.
you (subject)he / she / they / I"You are smart" → He told her that she was smart.
yourhis / her / their / my"Your work is good" → She told him that his work was good.
💡 Quick Rule:
• 1st person (I, we, me, us, my, our) → changes to match the subject of the reporting verb.
• 2nd person (you, your) → changes to match the object (listener) of the reporting verb.
• 3rd person (he, she, it, they) → no change.

5 Change Time & Place Expressions

Words that refer to time and place also change when we convert to indirect speech:

Direct SpeechIndirect Speech
todaythat day
yesterdaythe day before / the previous day
tomorrowthe next day / the following day
tonightthat night
this morning/weekthat morning/week
last night/week/yearthe previous night/week/year
next week/month/yearthe following week/month/year
agobefore / earlier
nowthen / at that time
herethere
thisthat
thesethose
thusso / in that way
comego
Direct
She said, "I will come here tomorrow."
➔
Indirect
She said that she would go there the next day.
Direct
He said, "I met her yesterday."
➔
Indirect
He said that he had met her the day before.
📝 Section 3: Different Types of Sentences

The way we convert to indirect speech depends on the type of sentence. Let's learn all four types:

💬 A. Statements (Assertive Sentences)

Pattern: Subject + reporting verb + that + reported speech (with tense/pronoun/time changes).

Direct
Ravi said, "I am tired."
➔
Indirect
Ravi said that he was tired.
Direct
She said, "We have won the match."
➔
Indirect
She said that they had won the match.
Direct
Tom said to me, "I will help you."
➔
Indirect
Tom told me that he would help me.

❓ B. Questions (Interrogative Sentences)

Questions need special rules. There are two types:

➡ Yes/No Questions

Pattern: Subject + asked/inquired + if / whether + statement order (no question mark).

Direct
She said, "Are you coming?"
➔
Indirect
She asked if I was coming.
Direct
He said, "Do you like ice cream?"
➔
Indirect
He asked whether I liked ice cream.
Direct
Mom said, "Have you finished your homework?"
➔
Indirect
Mom asked if I had finished my homework.
➡ Wh-Questions

Pattern: Subject + asked + question word (what, where, when, why, how, who) + statement order.

Direct
He said, "Where do you live?"
➔
Indirect
He asked where I lived.
Direct
She asked, "What is your name?"
➔
Indirect
She asked what my name was.
Direct
The teacher asked, "Why are you late?"
➔
Indirect
The teacher asked why I was late.
💡 Important Rules for Questions:
1. No question mark in indirect speech (it becomes a statement).
2. Change the word order to statement order (subject before verb).
3. Use if/whether for Yes/No questions; keep the wh-word for wh-questions.
4. Do NOT use "that" with questions.

☝ C. Commands & Requests (Imperative Sentences)

Pattern: Subject + told/ordered/requested + object + to + verb (infinitive).

For negative commands: Subject + told/ordered + object + not to + verb.

➡ Commands / Orders
Direct
He said, "Sit down."
➔
Indirect
He told me to sit down.
Direct
The captain said, "Run faster!"
➔
Indirect
The captain ordered them to run faster.
➡ Requests
Direct
She said, "Please help me."
➔
Indirect
She requested me to help her.
Direct
He said, "Please don't make noise."
➔
Indirect
He requested them not to make noise.
➡ Negative Commands
Direct
Mother said, "Don't touch the stove."
➔
Indirect
Mother told me not to touch the stove.
💡 How to choose the reporting verb:
• Stern / authority → ordered, commanded
• Polite / "please" → requested, begged
• Suggestion → advised, suggested
• General → told, asked

😲 D. Exclamations (Exclamatory Sentences)

Pattern: Subject + exclaimed + that + statement (replace "what a/how" with "very/great").

Direct
She said, "What a beautiful day!"
➔
Indirect
She exclaimed that it was a very beautiful day.
Direct
He said, "How wonderful!"
➔
Indirect
He exclaimed that it was very wonderful.
Direct
They said, "Hurrah! We won!"
➔
Indirect
They exclaimed with joy that they had won.
Direct
She said, "Alas! I have failed."
➔
Indirect
She exclaimed with sorrow that she had failed.
💡 Interjection Guide: Hurrah!/Wow! → exclaimed with joy | Alas! → exclaimed with sorrow | Bravo! → exclaimed with admiration/applause | Oh!/What! → exclaimed with surprise.
⚠️ Section 4: Exceptions — When NOT to Change the Tense

There are certain situations where the tense does NOT change during conversion:

🌍 Universal Truths

Facts that are always true do not change tense.

Direct: He said, "The sun rises in the east."

Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.

🔬 Scientific Facts

Proven scientific laws remain unchanged.

Direct: The teacher said, "Water boils at 100°C."

Indirect: The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.

📚 Historical Facts

Events fixed in history stay in their original tense.

Direct: She said, "India became independent in 1947."

Indirect: She said that India became independent in 1947.

🔄 Habitual Actions

Actions that happen regularly (still true) may stay unchanged.

Direct: He said, "I wake up at 6 AM every day."

Indirect: He said that he wakes up at 6 AM every day.

💬 Reporting Verb in Present Tense

When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, no backshift is needed.

Direct: He says, "I am happy."

Indirect: He says that he is happy.

💡 Hypothetical / Unreal (Subjunctive)

Sentences with wish, if only, as if, would rather do not change.

Direct: She said, "I wish I were taller."

Indirect: She said that she wished she were taller.

🧠 Remember: The backshift rule applies only when the reporting verb is in the past tense AND the reported fact is not a universal/scientific/historical truth.
💡 Section 5: Quick Tips & Common Mistakes
🌟 Quick Tips for Exams

✓ Tip 1

Always identify the type of sentence first (statement, question, command, exclamation).

✓ Tip 2

Check if the reporting verb is in past tense. If yes, apply the backshift rule.

✓ Tip 3

Change all three: tense, pronouns, and time/place words. Students often forget time/place!

✓ Tip 4

For questions: Use "if/whether" for yes/no, and keep the wh-word for wh-questions. Change to statement order.

✓ Tip 5

For commands: Use "to + verb" for positive and "not to + verb" for negative commands.

✓ Tip 6

"said to" changes to "told" (statements), "asked" (questions), "ordered/requested" (commands).

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ He told that he was hungry.
✓ He said that he was hungry. / He told me that he was hungry.
"Told" always needs an object (told me, told her, told them). Without an object, use "said".
❌ She asked that where did I live.
✓ She asked where I lived.
Do NOT use "that" with questions. Also, use statement order (not "did I live" but "I lived").
❌ He asked me that if I was coming.
✓ He asked me if I was coming.
Never use "that" + "if/whether" together. Use only one connector.
❌ She said, "The sun rises in the east." → She said that the sun rose in the east.
✓ She said that the sun rises in the east.
Universal truths do not change tense!
❌ He told to sit down.
✓ He told me to sit down.
After "told/ordered/asked" in commands, you need an object before "to + verb".
❌ She asked if was I coming.
✓ She asked if I was coming.
In indirect questions, always use statement order (subject + verb), NOT question order.
✏️ Section 6: Exercises

📝 Exercise A: Change Direct to Indirect Speech

Convert the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech:

  1. Ram said, "I am going to the market."
  2. She said, "I have completed my homework."
  3. The teacher said, "You must study hard."
  4. He said to me, "I will help you tomorrow."
  5. Priya said, "I was watching a movie yesterday."
  6. Mother said, "I have been cooking since morning."
  7. They said, "We can solve this problem."
  8. She said, "I may not come to the party."
  9. He said, "I bought a new bicycle last week."
  10. Rina said to Sita, "I shall never forget your kindness."
  11. The boy said, "My father is a doctor."
  12. She said, "I don't like cold weather."
  1. Ans Ram said that he was going to the market.
  2. Ans She said that she had completed her homework.
  3. Ans The teacher said that I/we must (had to) study hard.
  4. Ans He told me that he would help me the next day.
  5. Ans Priya said that she had been watching a movie the day before.
  6. Ans Mother said that she had been cooking since morning.
  7. Ans They said that they could solve that problem.
  8. Ans She said that she might not come to the party.
  9. Ans He said that he had bought a new bicycle the previous week.
  10. Ans Rina told Sita that she would never forget her kindness.
  11. Ans The boy said that his father was a doctor.
  12. Ans She said that she didn't like cold weather. (OR: She said that she did not like cold weather.)

📝 Exercise B: Change Indirect to Direct Speech

Convert the following indirect speech sentences into direct speech:

  1. He said that he was feeling unwell.
  2. She told me that she had lost her keys.
  3. The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.
  4. Rahul told Amit that he would meet him the next day.
  5. They said that they were planning a trip.
  6. She said that she could not attend the meeting.
  7. My friend told me that he had been waiting for an hour.
  8. She said that she might visit her grandmother that weekend.
  1. Ans He said, "I am feeling unwell."
  2. Ans She said to me, "I have lost my keys."
  3. Ans The teacher said, "Honesty is the best policy."
  4. Ans Rahul said to Amit, "I will meet you tomorrow."
  5. Ans They said, "We are planning a trip."
  6. Ans She said, "I cannot attend the meeting."
  7. Ans My friend said to me, "I have been waiting for an hour."
  8. Ans She said, "I may visit my grandmother this weekend."

📝 Exercise C: Change Questions to Indirect Speech

Convert the following questions into indirect speech:

  1. He said to me, "Do you like mangoes?"
  2. She asked, "Where are you going?"
  3. The teacher asked, "Have you done your homework?"
  4. He said, "What time does the train arrive?"
  5. Mother asked, "Will you come home early?"
  6. She asked me, "Why are you crying?"
  7. He asked, "Can you help me with this sum?"
  8. The doctor asked, "How long have you been feeling sick?"
  9. My friend asked, "Did you watch the match yesterday?"
  10. She asked, "Who broke the vase?"
  1. Ans He asked me if I liked mangoes.
  2. Ans She asked where I was going.
  3. Ans The teacher asked if I had done my homework.
  4. Ans He asked what time the train arrived.
  5. Ans Mother asked if I would come home early.
  6. Ans She asked me why I was crying.
  7. Ans He asked if I could help him with that sum.
  8. Ans The doctor asked how long I had been feeling sick.
  9. Ans My friend asked if I had watched the match the day before.
  10. Ans She asked who had broken the vase.

📝 Exercise D: Change Commands & Requests to Indirect Speech

Convert the following into indirect speech:

  1. The teacher said, "Open your books at page 50."
  2. Mother said to me, "Don't waste your time."
  3. He said, "Please lend me your pen."
  4. The officer said, "Stand in a line."
  5. She said, "Please don't make so much noise."
  6. The coach said, "Run faster!"
  7. Father said to me, "Always speak the truth."
  8. She said, "Please give me a glass of water."
  1. Ans The teacher told us to open our books at page 50.
  2. Ans Mother told me not to waste my time.
  3. Ans He requested me to lend him my pen.
  4. Ans The officer ordered them to stand in a line.
  5. Ans She requested them not to make so much noise.
  6. Ans The coach ordered them to run faster.
  7. Ans Father advised me to always speak the truth.
  8. Ans She requested me to give her a glass of water.

📝 Exercise E: Correct the Errors

Each sentence has one or more errors in the reported speech. Find and correct them:

  1. He told that he was going home.
  2. She asked me that where did I live.
  3. The teacher said that the earth moved around the sun.
  4. He asked if was I ready.
  5. She told to close the door.
  6. They said me that they had finished the project.
  7. He asked me that whether I could help him.
  8. She exclaimed that what a lovely dress it was.
  1. Error "told that" → "told" needs an object.
    Correct He said that he was going home. OR He told me that he was going home.
  2. Error "that where did I live" → Don't use "that" with questions; use statement order.
    Correct She asked me where I lived.
  3. Error "moved" → Universal truth, tense should NOT change.
    Correct The teacher said that the earth moves around the sun.
  4. Error "was I ready" → Wrong word order; use statement order.
    Correct He asked if I was ready.
  5. Error "told to" → "told" needs an object before "to".
    Correct She told me to close the door.
  6. Error "said me" → "said" does not take an indirect object directly.
    Correct They told me that they had finished the project. OR They said to me that they had finished the project.
  7. Error "that whether" → Don't use "that" and "whether" together.
    Correct He asked me whether I could help him.
  8. Error "that what a lovely dress it was" → Remove "what a" and restructure.
    Correct She exclaimed that it was a very lovely dress.

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