How to Convert Direct Speech to Reported Speech: Step-by-Step Guide
Reported speech in English grammar helps us communicate what others have said, without repeating their exact words. This skill is essential for exams, writing tasks, and everyday conversations. At Vedantu, we break down reported speech so students at all levels can improve their grammar with confidence.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech | Change Applied |
|---|---|---|
| She says, “I am reading a book.” | She says that she is reading a book. | No tense change (reporting verb in present) |
| He said, “I will come tomorrow.” | He said that he would come the next day. | “will” to “would”, time expression change |
| They asked, “Are you ready?” | They asked if I was ready. | Question to statement, pronoun and tense change |
| Maya said, “I bought a pen yesterday.” | Maya said that she had bought a pen the day before. | “bought” to “had bought”, time phrase change |
| The teacher said, “Finish your work.” | The teacher told us to finish our work. | Command to infinitive form |
Rules of Reported Speech
When converting direct speech to reported speech in English grammar, use these basic steps for accuracy:
- Backshift the tense by one step if the reporting verb is in the past tense (Example: “goes” becomes “went”)
- Change pronouns to match the new speaker and listener
- Modify time and place words (for example, “today” to “that day” or “here” to “there”)
- Remove quotation marks and, often, use “that” to introduce the reported clause
- Use verbs like said, told, or asked as reporting verbs
Examples of Reported Speech Statements
Below are examples showing how direct quotes become reported speech. Notice the changes in tense, pronouns, and adverbs.
- Direct: She said, “I am tired.”
Reported: She said that she was tired. - Direct: Rohit said, “We are playing cricket.”
Reported: Rohit said that they were playing cricket. - Direct: The doctor said to me, “Take your medicine.”
Reported: The doctor told me to take my medicine. - Direct: They said, “We finished our homework yesterday.”
Reported: They said that they had finished their homework the day before. - Direct: Father said, “I will help you.”
Reported: Father said that he would help me. - Direct: Teacher said, “Be quiet.”
Reported: Teacher told us to be quiet. - Direct: She asked, “Where do you live?”
Reported: She asked where I lived. - Direct: “Can you come to my house?” he asked.
Reported: He asked if I could come to his house.
Reported Speech for Exam and Daily Use
Reported speech is frequently tested in English grammar exams for Class 9, 10, and competitive tests. It is also vital for writing stories, essays, and retelling conversations. Practicing different sentence types—including questions, commands, and statements—will help you master this essential skill.
Summary of Reported Speech
Reported speech in English grammar allows us to communicate what others have said, write news, and join conversations naturally. Understanding the steps to change tense, pronouns, and time words makes reporting accurate and clear. Regular practice helps students succeed in exams and real-life communication alike.
For more exercises, visit the Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises page.
FAQs on Reported Speech in English Grammar: Easy Rules and Examples
1. What is reported speech in English grammar?
Reported speech, also called indirect speech, is a way of expressing what someone said without directly quoting their words. It involves changing pronouns, tenses, and sometimes time and place adverbs to fit the new context. Understanding reported speech is crucial for clear and effective communication.
2. What are the main rules for changing direct speech to reported speech?
Key rules include: changing the tense (backshifting), adjusting pronouns to match the speaker, altering time and place words (e.g., 'now' to 'then', 'here' to 'there'), and using appropriate reporting verbs (said, told, asked, etc.). There are exceptions, particularly with universal truths.
3. How do tenses change in reported speech?
Generally, tenses shift one step back: present simple becomes past simple, present perfect becomes past perfect, etc. However, if the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense in the reported speech often remains unchanged. Past perfect and past perfect continuous typically stay the same.
4. How are questions reported in indirect speech?
Reported questions use a reporting verb like 'asked' or 'inquired'. The word order changes to a statement structure, and question marks are removed. The tense may also change (backshifting).
5. How do you report commands or requests?
Use reporting verbs like 'ordered', 'told', 'requested', or 'asked'. The verb in the reported speech becomes an infinitive (e.g., 'to + verb'). For example: 'He said, “Open the door!”' becomes 'He told me to open the door.'
6. What happens to pronouns in reported speech?
Pronouns usually change to reflect the new speaker and listener. 'I' might become 'he', 'she', or 'they' depending on the context. 'My' might become 'his', 'her', or 'their'. Careful attention to pronoun reference is essential.
7. How do time and place adverbs change in reported speech?
Adverbs of time and place often need adjustment. 'Now' might become 'then', 'today' might become 'that day', 'here' might become 'there', etc. The changes depend on the time elapsed between the original speech and the reporting.
8. Are there any exceptions to the tense changes in reported speech?
Yes. Tenses often remain unchanged when reporting universal truths or habitual actions (e.g., 'He said, “The sun rises in the east”' remains 'He said the sun rises in the east').
9. What are some common mistakes to avoid in reported speech?
Common errors include inconsistent tense usage, incorrect pronoun changes, and failing to adjust time and place words appropriately. Careful attention to detail and practice are crucial to avoid these mistakes.
10. What is the difference between direct and reported speech?
Direct speech uses quotation marks to reproduce the exact words spoken. Reported speech paraphrases the original statement without quotation marks, making necessary grammatical adjustments.
11. What are some examples of reporting verbs besides 'said' and 'told'?
Other common reporting verbs include asked, explained, suggested, announced, whispered, shouted, commented, and many more. The choice of verb impacts the nuance of the reported speech.
12. Can 'that' be omitted in reported speech?
Yes, the conjunction 'that' can often be omitted in reported speech, especially in informal contexts. For example, 'He said that he was tired' can be shortened to 'He said he was tired'.
