English Grammar: Narration
Comprehensive Quick Reference & Rules (Direct to Indirect Speech)
1. Basic Pronoun & Reporting Rules (SON Rule)
SON Rule:
• 1st Person subject in Direct Speech changes according to the Subject of the reporting verb.
• 2nd Person subject changes according to the Object of the reporting verb.
• 3rd Person subject undergoes No Change.
Reporting Verb Changes:
• said → said
• said to → told (takes an object without 'to')
• Conjunction: that is usually added after the reporting verb.
2. Conversion Table: Words Indicating Time & Nearness
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
This + time That + time
This That / It
This + noun The + noun
These + noun Those + noun / Them
Today That day / Today (if context is same day)
Here There (not always)
Yesterday The previous day / The day before
Tomorrow The next day / The following day
Day before yesterday Two days before
Day after tomorrow In two days' time / Two days later
3. Tense & Verb Transformations
DIRECT SPEECH FORM INDIRECT SPEECH FORM
is / am / are was / were
DIRECT SPEECH FORM INDIRECT SPEECH FORM
was / were had been
has / have had
has / have been had been
V1 / V5 (Simple Present) V2 (Simple Past)
V2 (Simple Past) Had + V3 (Past Perfect)
4. Modal Verbs Conversion
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
Can Could
Could (Past Ability) Had been able to
Could (Future) Would be able to
May Might
Will / Shall Would (99%) / Should (1%)
Must / Need (Immediate Action) Had to / Must / Need
Must / Need (Future Action) Would have to
Needn't Wouldn't have to
5. Special Sentence Types
Interrogative Sentences (Questions):
• Reporting Verb: said / said to → asked, enquired, wondered
• Yes/No Questions: Use conjunction if or whether (Remove Do/Does/Did).
• Wh- Questions: Retain the Wh- word (where, what, why, etc.) as the connector.
• Structure changes from Question format to Assertive format (Subject + Verb).
Imperative Sentences (Commands, Requests, Advice):
• Reporting Verb: said to → advised, ordered, requested, warned, implored, entreated,
beseeched.
• Connecting Word: Use to + V1.
• Negative Imperatives: Change Don't → not to.
6. Solved Examples from Notes
Assertive
Direct: He said, "I am busy."
Indirect: He said that he was busy.
Pronoun / Time Change
Direct: He said to her, "I did not see your brother on my way to office today."
Indirect: He told her that he had not seen her brother on his way to office that day.
Modal: Could (Past Ability)
Direct: He said to me, "I could swim at the age of nine."
Indirect: He told me that he had been able to swim at the age of 9.
Modal: Could (Future)
Direct: He said to me, "I could do it tomorrow."
Indirect: He told me that he would be able to do it the next day.
Modal: Must (Immediate vs Future)
Direct: He said, "I must wash my hands."
Indirect: He said that he had to wash his hands.
Future obligation: "I must repair the window tomorrow" → He said that he would have to repair the window the next day.
Interrogative (Yes/No)
Direct: He said to me, "Do I look tired?"
Indirect: He asked me if he looked tired.
Interrogative (Wh- Word)
Direct: He said to me, "Where are you going?"
Indirect: He asked me where I was going.
Imperative
Direct: She said to him, "Please don't go there."
Indirect: She implored/requested him not to go there.
Special Verbs (Admitted / Apologised / Denied)
Direct 1: He said, "I stole the money." → Indirect: He admitted stealing the money.
Direct 2: He said, "I did not steal the money." → Indirect: He denied stealing the money.
Direct 3: He said, "I am sorry, I am late." → Indirect: He apologised for being late.
Direct 4: She said to me, "I will have this one." (pointing) → Indirect: She touched/pointed to the one that
she wanted.