Key Reported Speech Concepts for Class 5 English Grammar (2025-26)
FAQs on Learn Reported Speech Easily: CBSE Class 5 English Grammar Guide
1. What are the most important rules to remember when changing direct speech to reported speech for the CBSE Class 5 exam 2025-26?
For the Class 5 exam, the key is to follow a few simple steps. First, remove the quotation marks. Second, add the word 'that' after the reporting verb (like 'said' or 'told'). Third, change the tense of the verb inside the quotes, usually one step back (e.g., present becomes past). Finally, make sure to change the pronouns (like 'I' to 'he/she') and words indicating time and place (like 'today' to 'that day').
2. What types of questions on reported speech are frequently asked in Class 5 English exams?
In Class 5 exams, you can expect a few common question formats for reported speech. The most important type is converting a sentence from direct speech to indirect (reported) speech. You may also find fill-in-the-blanks where you need to choose the correct reporting verb or changed tense. Sometimes, you might be asked to change a sentence from indirect back to direct speech.
3. How do we change questions (interrogative sentences) into reported speech? Give an important example.
When changing a question to reported speech, the reporting verb changes to asked or enquired. If the question starts with a Wh-word (what, where, when), you use the same word to connect. If it's a yes/no question, you use if or whether. Importantly, the question format changes to a statement. For example, 'He said, "Where are you going?"' becomes 'He asked where I was going.'
4. How should pronouns be changed when converting a sentence to reported speech? This is an important part of scoring marks.
Changing pronouns correctly is crucial. The rule is simple: the first-person pronoun (I, we, me, my) changes according to the subject of the reporting verb. The second-person pronoun (you, your) changes according to the object of the reporting verb. Third-person pronouns (he, she, it, they) do not change. For example, 'She said to me, "I like your book."' becomes 'She told me that she liked my book.'
5. Why does the tense of the verb often change in reported speech? Is there any situation where it doesn't?
The tense usually changes because we are reporting something that was said in the past. If the reporting verb is in the past tense (like 'said'), the event has already happened, so the reported verb must also be in a past form. However, the tense does not change if the statement is a universal truth (e.g., 'The sun rises in the east') or if the reporting verb is in the present or future tense (e.g., 'He says...' or 'He will say...').
6. What is the most common mistake students make in reported speech questions, and how can it be avoided in the exam?
The most common mistake is forgetting to change the tense of the verb. For instance, leaving 'is' as 'is' instead of changing it to 'was'. Another frequent error is not changing the words of time and place, like forgetting to change 'now' to 'then'. To avoid this, always double-check two things before finalising your answer: the verb tense and the time/place words. This simple check can help you score full marks.
7. Besides tenses and pronouns, what other important word changes should a Class 5 student know for reported speech questions?
Yes, several other words that show nearness in time or place must be changed to show distance. Paying attention to these is important for getting the answer completely right. Key examples include:
Now → then
Today → that day
Yesterday → the previous day or the day before
Tomorrow → the next day or the following day
Here → there
This → that











