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Reported Speech Rules and Examples

The document explains the concepts of direct and indirect speech, providing definitions and examples for each. It outlines rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech based on the tense of the reporting verb, including exceptions for universal truths and habitual actions. Additionally, it lists changes in time expressions and modal verbs when converting between the two forms.

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Daksh Agarwal
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48 views3 pages

Reported Speech Rules and Examples

The document explains the concepts of direct and indirect speech, providing definitions and examples for each. It outlines rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech based on the tense of the reporting verb, including exceptions for universal truths and habitual actions. Additionally, it lists changes in time expressions and modal verbs when converting between the two forms.

Uploaded by

Daksh Agarwal
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Reported Speech/Indirect Speech/Narration

NOTES
Direct Speech- When the speaker repeats the words of the other
speaker as it is, it is called direct speech.
E.g.: The mother says, “Sneha is ready.”
Rita says, “The book is interesting.”
Says- Reporting Verb
Is- Reported Verb

Indirect Speech- When the words of the speaker are changed but the
meaning remains the same, it is called indirect speech.
E.g. Mother says that Sneha is ready.
Rita says that the book is interesting.
Rules to change direct speech into indirect speech
1. If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the reported
verb remains unchanged.
For e.g. Madhu says, “Tea is ready.”
Seema says, “Suhana looked beautiful.”
Naman will say, “Madan may come today.”
Neena says, “The mountains are very high.”
The teacher says, “Tomorrow is an English test.”
Mona will say, “The price is very high.”
Raman will say, “Dad is coming tomorrow.”

2. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the reported verb


changes according to the given table.
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
Simple Present Tense Simple Past Tense (V2)
Suhana said, “Naman works hard.”
Simple Past Tense Past perfect tense (Had + V3)
Suhan said, “Naman worked hard.”
Present Continuous Tense Past Continuous Tense
Suhana said, “Naman is working (was/were +ing)
hard.”
Past Continuous Tense Past perfect continuous tense
Suhana said, “Naman was working
hard.”
Present Perfect tense Past Perfect Tense
Suhana said, “Naman has worked
hard.”
Past Perfect Tense Past Perfect Tense (no change)
Suhana said, “Naman had worked
hard.”
Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Tense
Suhana said, “Naman has been
working hard.”
Past Perfect Continuous Tense Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Suhana said, “Naman had been (No Change)
working hard.”

3. If the reporting verb is in past tense but the reported verb speaks
about the universal truth, quotes, habit, or a situation that still
exists at the time of speech being reported, the reported verb
remains unchanged. (EXCEPTION TO RULE 2)
The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east.”
The teachers said, “It’s only in the dictionary that success comes before
work.”
The boy said, “Sachin goes for a walk every day.”
Every dayer Changes
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day/ the following
day/the day after
Yesterday The previous day/the day
before
Last night The previous night
This/these That/those
Now Then
Here There
Ago Before
Will/shall Would
May/can Might/could
Must Had to
Says to Tells
Said to Told
would/should/might/could/ought No change
to/used to

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