How to Change Direct Speech to Reported Speech: Step-by-Step Rules for Class 9
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech | Change Made |
|---|---|---|
| He said, "I am fine." | He said that he was fine. | Tense and pronoun changed |
| Rita said, "I will come." | Rita said that she would come. | Will → Would, I → she |
| She said, "Can you help me?" | She asked if I could help her. | Question to statement, can → could, pronouns changed |
What is Reported Speech for Class 9?
Reported speech for class 9 is a grammar topic where we express what someone else has said using our own words. This means converting a sentence from direct speech to indirect speech, which is a common part of most English exams.
Rules of Reported Speech for Class 9
Changing direct speech to reported speech follows specific rules in class 9. These include modifying tense, pronouns, and certain words related to time and place.
- Change the verb tense back one step (Present → Past).
- Change pronouns as needed (I → he/she, my → his/her).
- Change time words (today → that day, now → then).
- Remove quotation marks and use 'that', 'if', or 'whether' as connecting words.
- For questions, change the sentence to a statement structure.
Types of Sentences in Reported Speech
Reported speech exercises for class 9 involve different types of sentences. Each type follows specific conversion rules.
Statements
Change the verb tense, remove quotation marks, and use 'that'. Example: “I like tea,” he said → He said that he liked tea.
Yes/No Questions
Use 'if' or 'whether' and adjust word order. Example: “Are you coming?” she asked → She asked if I was coming.
Wh-Questions
Use the question word to link and change to statement order. Example: “Where do you live?” he asked → He asked where I lived.
Commands/Requests
Use 'to' plus the verb for commands. Example: “Sit down,” the teacher said → The teacher told me to sit down.
Common Errors in Reported Speech Exercises
Students in class 9 often make certain mistakes while converting sentences to reported speech. Here are some to avoid:
- Not changing the tense correctly.
- Forgetting to change pronouns.
- Not adjusting time/place words like 'today' or 'now'.
- Using question order rather than statement order while reporting questions.
- Omitting necessary words like 'that', 'if', or 'to'.
Reported Speech Exercises for Practice (With Answers)
Practice these reported speech exercises for class 9. Answers are given to help you check your responses.
| Direct Speech | Convert to Reported Speech | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Rahul said, "I am going to school." | Rahul said that he was going to school. | |
| Maya said, "I can swim." | Maya said that she could swim. | |
| He said, "Will you help me?" | He asked if I would help him. | |
| Mother said, "Please tidy your room." | Mother asked me to tidy my room. | |
| She said, "I do my homework now." | She said that she did her homework then. |
CBSE/Exam-Focused Reported Speech Questions for Class 9
English exams for class 9 often include these types of reported speech questions. Practise and prepare!
- Convert statements, questions, and commands as in the examples above.
- Fill-in-the-blanks using proper tense and pronoun changes.
- Solve MCQs on reported speech identification and error correction.
For extra practice, try our Reported Speech and Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises.
Quick Revision Summary of Reported Speech
| Rule | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Tense change | Move tense one step back (present to past) |
| Pronoun change | Adjust to match the speaker and listener |
| Time expression | Change words like 'now', 'today', 'tomorrow' |
| Remove quotes | Use that/if/to connect |
Reported speech exercises for class 9 help you master a critical English grammar topic. Understanding reported speech is key for CBSE exams, writing, and conversation. Practise regularly, avoid common mistakes, and visit Vedantu for more grammar resources and practice worksheets.
FAQs on Reported Speech Exercises for Class 9 – Rules, Examples, and Practice
1. What is reported speech in English grammar for class 9?
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of expressing what someone else said without quoting them directly. In Class 9 English grammar, mastering reported speech is crucial for exams. It involves changing tenses, pronouns, and sometimes time/place words to accurately reflect the original statement in your own words.
2. How do I convert a sentence from direct speech to reported speech?
Converting direct speech to reported speech involves several steps. First, identify the reporting verb (said, told, asked, etc.). Then, change the tense of the reported clause (usually one step back). Next, adjust pronouns and time/place words as needed to match the new context. Finally, if it's a question, change the word order and punctuation. For example: He said, “I am going.” becomes He said that he was going.
3. What are the basic rules of reported speech?
Reported speech rules for Class 9 primarily focus on tense changes, pronoun adjustments, and changes to adverbs of time and place. Here's a summary:
- Tense Changes: Present simple becomes past simple; present continuous becomes past continuous; etc.
- Pronoun Changes: First-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) change according to the speaker of the reported speech.
- Time/Place Word Changes: Words like 'today,' 'tomorrow,' 'here,' 'now' may need altering, depending on the context. For instance, 'today' might become 'that day' and 'here' might become 'there'.
- Reporting Verbs: The choice of reporting verb ('said', 'told', 'asked', etc.) can change the overall meaning slightly.
4. Can you give some reported speech exercises with answers?
Here are some example reported speech exercises:
- Direct: She said, “I am happy.” Indirect: She said that she was happy.
- Direct: He asked, “Where are you going?” Indirect: He asked where I was going.
- Direct: The teacher said, “Do your homework.” Indirect: The teacher told us to do our homework.
These exercises help practice reported speech rules and tense changes for Class 9.
5. Are reported speech questions important in class 9 CBSE exams?
Yes, reported speech is a significant part of the Class 9 CBSE English grammar syllabus. Expect questions on converting direct speech to indirect speech (or vice versa) in various sentence types (statements, questions, commands). Practicing these exercises is essential for CBSE exams and overall English proficiency.
6. What are some common mistakes in reported speech?
Common reported speech mistakes include incorrect tense changes, neglecting pronoun shifts, and inconsistent use of reporting verbs. Students often forget to adjust adverbs of time and place. Pay close attention to these areas when practicing reported speech exercises for Class 9.
7. What is the rule of tense in reported speech?
The tense rule in reported speech generally involves shifting the verb tense one step back. For example, a present simple tense in direct speech becomes past simple in indirect speech; a present perfect becomes past perfect, etc. However, there are exceptions, especially if the reported statement refers to a timeless truth or a habitual action.
8. What are some reported speech example questions?
Here are some reported speech example questions:
- Convert 'He said, “I will go to the market”' to indirect speech.
- Change 'She asked, “Where is the library?”' to reported speech.
- Transform 'The doctor said, “Take this medicine daily”' into indirect speech.
These examples demonstrate how different sentence types (statements, questions, imperatives) are handled in reported speech.
9. What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?
Direct speech quotes someone's exact words using quotation marks. Indirect speech, or reported speech, conveys the meaning of what someone said without using the exact words. It often introduces a reporting verb (e.g., said, asked, told) and may involve changes in tense, pronouns, and time/place words.
10. How do you convert direct to indirect speech?
To convert direct to indirect speech, begin by identifying the reporting verb and the reported clause. Then, shift the tense of the verb in the reported clause (usually one step back). Adjust pronouns, time expressions, and place words as needed to maintain accurate meaning. If the direct speech is a question, make it a statement by using appropriate word order. Pay attention to maintaining logical meaning throughout the conversion.
