Reported Speech(Direct and Indirect Speech) - Explanation & Rules with Examples

 

Reported speech (Direct and Indirect Speech)

There are two main types of speech:

                                                             * Direct speech

* Indirect (Reported Speech)

    Direct speech states the exact words of the person.

    Reported speech is the words of speaker from the other person.

Change of Reporting Verb

The Jones said, “Have you understood the concept?”

                In this sentence, the word “said” is the reporting verb.

The reporting verb has to be changed according to the type of sentence while transforming the sentence into reported speech.

Statement

    Said to – told

    Said – said

Interrogative – asked

Imperative – ordered, requested, suggested, advised..

Exclamation – exclaimed

 

Change of Conjunction

As like the change of reporting verb, the conjunction is changed

Statement, exclamation – that

Wh question – no conjunction is needed

Yes/No question – if/whether

Imperative – to (verb changes into infinitive)

 

Change of Tenses

Present Tense – Simple Past Tense

Present Perfect Tense - Simple Past Tense

Present Continuous Tense – Past Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple past tense – past perfect tense

Past Continuous Tense – past Perfect continuous Tense

 

Change of Modals

Can – could

Shall – would

Will – would

May – might

 

Change of adverbials

Today – that day

Yesterday – the day before

Tomorrow – the next day / following day

Last week / month – the previous week / month

This – that

These – those

Here – there

Now – then

Ago – before

Examples

1) Pauline said, “I have seen this girl before”

    Pauline said that she had seen that girl before.

2) James said to me, “You can solve the problem”

     James told me that I could solve the problem.

3) My father told me, “Pay attention while you are riding the bike”

     My father told me to pay attention while I was riding the bike.

4) Ruth said, “Please help in carrying these heavy packages to car”

     Ruth requested me to help in carrying those heavy packages to car.

5) John said to Joel, “Why didn’t you inform me earlier about this accident?”

     John asked why Joel had not informed him earlier about that accident.

6) She said to the gym master, “How can I lose weight?”

     She asked the gym master how she could lose weight.

7) My mother said to me, “Is your brother playing in the garden?”

     My mother asked me whether my brother was playing in the garden.

8) The boy said to his friend, “Would you please lend me your pen?”

     The boy asked his friend whether the boy would lend him his pen.

9) Rani said, “Oh! What a lovely dress”

     Rani exclaimed that it was a lovely dress.

10) She said to her friend, “Alas! I lost my gold chain”

       She exclaimed her friend that she had lost her gold chain.

 

11) Jerome: "Did you go to function?"

       Liz: "Yes, I enjoyed a lot. I can show you some pictures. Are you doing anything tomorrow?"

       Jerome: "I must arrange a couple of things."

       Jerome asked whether Liz had gone to function. She answered positively that she had enjoyed a lot. She also asked whether he was doing anything the next day. Jerome replied that he must arrange a couple of things.

12) Matthew: Sorry. I’m so late.

      Peter: "You are late, but it doesn't matter. Some friends have yet to come."

      Matthew: Can I help you in doing something?"

       Peter: Yes, please help me in setting the table.

    Matthew apologised to his friend Peter for being so late. Peter agreed that Matthew was late but added that it did not matter as some friends had yet to Matthew requested if he could help by doing something. Peter requested Matthew to help him in setting the table.