How to Change Direct to Indirect Speech in Class 9 with Rules and Practice Questions
| 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 With Rules and Examples
1. What is reported speech in English grammar?
Reported speech is the form of speech used to report what someone said without quoting their exact words. It is also called indirect speech. In reported speech exercises for Class 9, students learn to change sentences from direct speech to indirect speech by:
- Removing quotation marks
- Changing pronouns
- Shifting tense (when required)
- Using reporting verbs like said, told, or asked
2. What are the rules for changing direct speech into reported speech?
The main rules for changing direct speech into reported speech include tense change, pronoun change, and removal of quotation marks. Important rules for Class 9 include:
- Change the tense if the reporting verb is in the past (am → was, will → would).
- Change pronouns according to the speaker and listener.
- Change time expressions (now → then, today → that day).
- Remove quotation marks and add that when needed.
3. How do you change tenses in reported speech?
In reported speech, the tense usually shifts back when the reporting verb is in the past tense. This is called backshift of tense. Common changes include:
- Present Simple → Past Simple (go → went)
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous (is going → was going)
- Will → Would
- Can → Could
4. When do we not change the tense in reported speech?
We do not change the tense in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the present or when the statement is a universal truth. Situations include:
- Reporting verb in present tense: He says, “I am ready.” → He says that he is ready.
- Universal facts: The teacher said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.” → The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
5. How do you change questions into reported speech?
To change a question into reported speech, use a reporting verb like asked and change the sentence into statement form. Follow these steps:
- Use if or whether for yes/no questions.
- Keep the question word (what, where, why) for WH-questions.
- Remove question mark and change word order.
6. How are commands and requests changed into reported speech?
Commands and requests are changed into reported speech using to + base verb. The reporting verbs commonly used are:
- told for commands
- asked or requested for polite requests
Example (request): She said, “Please help me.” → She asked me to help her.
7. What is the difference between direct and reported speech?
The main difference between direct and reported speech is that direct speech uses the speaker’s exact words, while reported speech paraphrases them. Key differences include:
- Direct speech uses quotation marks.
- Reported speech does not use quotation marks.
- Tense and pronouns often change in reported speech.
8. How do pronouns change in reported speech?
Pronouns in reported speech change according to the speaker, listener, and context of the sentence. Basic guidelines include:
- First person changes according to the subject of the reporting verb.
- Second person changes according to the object of the reporting verb.
- Third person usually remains the same.
9. What are common time expression changes in reported speech?
Time expressions often change in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Common changes include:
- Now → Then
- Today → That day
- Tomorrow → The next day
- Yesterday → The previous day
10. How can I practice reported speech exercises for Class 9?
You can practice reported speech exercises for Class 9 by regularly converting direct sentences into indirect speech using grammar rules. Effective practice methods include:
- Solving worksheet questions from textbooks
- Practicing tense and pronoun changes separately
- Writing short dialogues and converting them
- Reviewing common mistakes in reported speech
