What is Reported Speech? Definition, Rules & Examples
Mastering reported speech exercises for class 10 can boost not just your exam marks but your overall English communication. This topic is vital for scoring well in school grammar exams, writing essays, and using English confidently in daily life. Vedantu brings you clear examples and practice tasks designed for your board exam success.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech | Type |
|---|---|---|
| She says, "I am hungry." | She says that she is hungry. | Statement |
| He asked, "Are you ready?" | He asked if I was ready. | Question |
| Mother said, "Finish your work." | Mother told me to finish my work. | Instruction |
| He said, "I went to school yesterday." | He said that he had gone to school the day before. | Past Event |
What is Reported Speech? Definition & Examples
Reported speech means telling what someone else said, but not using their exact words. For example: Direct – "I love English." Reported – She said that she loved English. This helps you share information or conversations in both speaking and writing.
Rules of Reported Speech for Class 10
When changing direct speech into reported speech, remember these main rules:
- Change the tense back (present becomes past, will becomes would).
- Pronouns must match the person who spoke.
- Time and place words (now, today, tomorrow) must shift to fit the new context.
- Questions change to statements; remove question marks.
- Do not use quotation marks in reported speech.
| Direct Speech Tense | Reported Speech Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple | "She works." → She said she worked. |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous | "He is reading." → He said he was reading. |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect | "I have seen." → I said I had seen. |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect | "We went." → They said they had gone. |
| Will/Shall | Would/Should | "I will come." → He said he would come. |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Direct to Indirect Speech
- Identify the reporting verb (said, asked, told, etc.).
- Remove quotation marks and ‘said’/‘asked’ is followed by ‘that’, ‘if’, or ‘to’.
- Change tenses, pronouns, and time words as above.
- Change word order for questions or requests.
- Finish the sentence as a statement (no question mark).
Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers
Try these reported speech sentences and check the answers below for instant feedback. Practice is key for class 10 board exam revision:
- Direct: "We are going to the park," said Riya.
Reported: Riya said that they were going to the park. - Direct: "Do you like maths?" he asked.
Reported: He asked if I liked maths. - Direct: "Please help me with this sum," she said.
Reported: She requested me to help her with that sum. - Direct: "I will finish my work tomorrow," he said.
Reported: He said that he would finish his work the next day. - Direct: "Why did you call me?" she asked.
Reported: She asked why I had called her.
Common Errors to Avoid in Reported Speech
- Do not forget to change the tense if the reporting verb is in past tense.
- Avoid using direct speech punctuation (no quotation marks).
- Always adjust pronouns and time expressions.
- Use ‘that’ for reported statements and ‘if’ or ‘whether’ for yes/no questions.
- Turn imperative sentences (orders/requests) into ‘to + verb’ structures.
Summary: Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10
Reported speech is a core English grammar skill for class 10 exams and real communication. Learn the key rules for tense, pronoun, and word changes. Practice a variety of sentence types, and check your answers to improve. Vedantu’s reported speech resources are designed to build your confidence for exams and daily use.
FAQs on Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers
1. What is reported speech in English grammar?
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, conveys what someone said without directly quoting them. It rephrases the original statement or question. For example, "He said, 'I am happy'" becomes "He said that he was happy."
2. What are the main rules for changing direct to indirect speech?
Key rules involve shifting tenses (e.g., present simple to past simple), changing pronouns to match the reporter's perspective, adjusting time and place adverbials (e.g., 'today' to 'that day'), and sometimes removing quotation marks. The word order also changes for questions.
3. How do reported speech rules differ for questions, requests, and commands?
For questions, word order changes to statement form, and 'if/whether' might be used. Requests and commands use 'to + verb' (e.g., 'He asked me to close the door'). For negative commands use 'not to'.
4. What are some common errors in reported speech?
Common mistakes include incorrect tense shifts, faulty pronoun replacement, and neglecting to change time/place adverbials. Also, incorrect use of reporting verbs.
5. How do you report questions in reported speech?
Use reporting verbs like 'asked' or 'inquired'. Change the question's word order to a statement. Use 'if' or 'whether' to introduce the reported question. Example: "He asked if I was going."
6. How do you handle time expressions in reported speech?
Time expressions usually require adjustment to reflect the new reporting time. For example: 'today' becomes 'that day', 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day', 'yesterday' becomes 'the previous day', 'this' becomes 'that', 'here' becomes 'there'.
7. Are there exceptions to changing tenses in reported speech?
Yes, if the reporting verb is in the present tense, or if the reported statement is a general truth or a habitual action, the tense may not change. For example: "He says that the sun rises in the east."
8. What are some examples of reporting verbs used in reported speech?
Common reporting verbs include: said, asked, told, replied, explained, suggested, ordered, requested, advised, warned, promised.
9. How can reported speech exercises help improve grammar skills?
Practice with reported speech exercises reinforces the rules of tense changes, pronoun usage, and adverbial adjustments. It improves your ability to accurately and effectively convey information from direct to indirect speech.
10. What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?
Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, using quotation marks. Indirect speech (reported speech) rephrases the words without quotation marks, often changing tenses and pronouns.
11. Can you give examples of reported speech sentences from class 10 English exams?
Here are some examples. Direct: He said, "I will go." Indirect: He said that he would go. Direct: She asked, "Are you coming?" Indirect: She asked if I was coming.
12. Where can I find more reported speech practice exercises?
Vedantu offers additional worksheets and quizzes on reported speech, available as PDFs for offline use. Look for links on the main Reported Speech page for Class 10.
