Rules and examples
1. Assertive (Statement) Sentences
Direct → Indirect Rules
1. Use conjunction “that”
2. Change pronouns according to the speaker
3. Change tense (if reporting verb is in past)
4. Change adverbs of time/place
Example
Direct:
Rama said, “I am very busy now.”
Indirect:
Rama said that he was very busy then.
TENSE CHANGES (When Reporting Verb is Past)
A. Present → Past
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
| ------------------ | --------------- |
| Simple Present | Simple Past |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect |
Examples
1. Simple Present → Simple Past
He said, “I am unwell.”
→ He said that he *was* unwell.
2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous
He said, “My master is writing letters.”
→ He said that his master *was writing* letters.
3. Present Perfect → Past Perfect
He said, “I have passed the examination.”
→ He said that he *had passed* the examination.
4. Simple Past → Past Perfect
He said, “The horse died in the night.”
→ He said that the horse *had died* in the night.
No Tense Change When...
✔ The statement is a universal truth
✔ The fact is still true / relevant ( tense of change or no change here...both correct)
✔ Reporting verb is in present tense
Examples
1. Gopi said, “I know her address.”
→ Gopi said that he knows / knew her address.
2. The teacher said, “The Earth goes round the Sun.”
→ The teacher said that the Earth goes round the Sun.
3. She said, “German is easy to learn.”
→ She said that German is easy to learn.
Reporting Verb in Present Tense
He says, “I am unwell.”
→ He says that he *is* unwell.
Change of Words (Time & Place)
| Direct | Indirect |
| --------- | -------------- |
| now | then |
| here | there |
| today | that day |
| yesterday | the day before |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| ago | before |
| this | that |
| these | those |
Example
He said, “I am glad to be here this evening.”
→ He said that he was glad to be there that evening.
✔ No change if reported at the same time/place
→ He says that he is glad to be here this evening.
2. Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
Rules
1. Reporting verb becomes asked / enquired / questioned
2. Question form → statement form
3. WH-word stays
4. Yes/No questions → if / whether
5. No question mark
Examples (WH-type)
1. He said to me, “What are you doing?”
→ He asked me what I was doing.
2. “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
→ The stranger asked where I lived.
3. He enquired, “When do you intend to pay me?”
→ He enquired when I intended to pay him.
Examples (Yes/No type)
1. He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
→ He asked whether they would listen to such a man.
2. “Are you coming home with me?” he asked.
→ He asked whether I was coming home with him.
3. Imperative Sentences (Orders / Requests)
Rules
1. Reporting verb: ordered, requested, advised, commanded, begged
2. Verb changes to to + infinitive
Examples
1. Rama said to Arjun, “Go away.”
→ Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
2. “Call the first witness,” said the judge.
→ The judge ordered to call the first witness.
3. He said, “Please wait here till I return.”
→ He requested him to wait there till he returned.
4. He shouted, “Let me go!”
→ He shouted at them to let him go.
4. Exclamatory Sentences
Rules
1. Use verbs like exclaimed, exclaimed sadly, applauded, wished
2. Remove exclamation mark
3. Use that if needed
Examples
1. He said, “Alas! I am undone.”
→ He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
2. Alice said, “How clever I am!”
→ Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
3. He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
→ He applauded him saying that he had done well.
4. He said, “What a pity you did not come!”
→ He exclaimed that it was a great pity that she had not come.
SAMPLE SENTENCES WITH ANSWERS
A. ASSERTIVE SENTENCES
1.
Direct: He said, “I am tired.”
Indirect: He said that he was tired.
2.
Direct: She said, “I have completed my work.”
Indirect: She said that she had completed her work.
3.
Direct: Rama said, “The train arrived late.”
Indirect: Rama said that the train had arrived late.
4.
Direct: The teacher said, “Honesty is the best policy.”
Indirect: The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.
5.
Direct: He said, “I will help you.”
Indirect: He said that he would help me.
B. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
6. (WH-type)
Direct: He said to me, “Where are you going?”
Indirect: He asked me where I was going.
7. (WH-type)
Direct: She asked, “Why are you late?”
Indirect: She asked why I was late.
8. (Yes/No type)
Direct: He said, “Are you ready?”
Indirect: He asked whether I was ready.
9. (Yes/No type)
Direct: The teacher asked, “Have you finished your homework?”
Indirect: The teacher asked whether I had finished my homework.
10.
Direct: She said, “Will you help me?”
Indirect: She asked whether I would help her.
C. IMPERATIVE SENTENCES
11. (Order)
Direct:The master said to the servant, “Close the door.”
Indirect: The master ordered the servant to close the door.
12. (Request)
Direct: He said to me, “Please sit down.”
Indirect: He requested me to sit down.
13. (Advice)
Direct: The doctor said, “Take this medicine regularly.”
Indirect:The doctor advised me to take that medicine regularly.
14. (Command)
Direct: The officer said, “Stand in a line.”
Indirect: The officer commanded them to stand in a line.
15. (Negative command)
Direct:He said to me, “Do not waste time.”
Indirect:He advised me not to waste time.
D. EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES (5)
16.
Direct:He said, “Alas! I have failed.”
Indirect: He exclaimed sadly that he had failed.
17.
Direct: She said, “How beautiful the painting is!”
Indirect: She exclaimed that the painting was very beautiful.
18.
Direct:He said, “Bravo! You have won the match.”
Indirect: He applauded him saying that he had won the match.
19.
Direct:She said, “What a pity you missed the train!”
Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a great pity that I had missed the train.
20.
Direct:He said, “Oh! What a wonderful day!”
Indirect: He exclaimed that it was a wonderful day.
All the best !
