When we use the exact words of the speaker, it is called direct speech. Indirect or Reported Speech refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said.
Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers PDF
Direct and indirect speech differ in the following aspects:
- punctuation
- pronouns and their forms
- tense forms
- the reporting verb (introduce/change)
- words that show time and position
- that, if, etc. (if necessary)
Punctuation
Indirect speech, the exact words of the person (quote) are placed after the introductory clause, it is always set apart by the use of a comma (,) and quotation marks (“’) or (“”).
Also, the first letter of the exact words of the speaker indirect speech is always capitalized.
Example:
- Mother said to me, ‘Please tidy your room.
If the quote is placed at the beginning of the sentence a comma is put before the end quotation mark for a declarative or imperative sentence. A question mark or an exclamatory mark is placed before the end quotation if it is a question or an exclamatory sentence.
Examples:
- “Where are we going for our picnic?’ asked Mira.
- “What an excellent idea!’ said Sunny.
If the quote is divided into two we can do either of the following:
Examples:
- “That is fine,’ he said. “We don’t mind sharing our room with you.’
- “No!’ he said. “We can’t check into this hotel.’
In reported (indirect) speech, question marks and exclamations are removed because all sentences are converted to statements. We do not use a comma or quotation marks to set apart the words of the speaker. A comma is used only if the sentence calls for one.
Example:
- Sally told me that Rosie, Anuja and Jenny are going for a movie tomorrow. . .
A. Punctuate the following sentences in direct speech. Insert (*), (,) and (?), (!) or (.).
Question 1.
Divya said to me How are you
Answer:
Divya said to me,‘How are you?’
Question 2.
Wow What a wonderful picture said Lucy
Answer:
‘Wow! What a wonderful picture! ’ said Lucy.
Question 3.
I said I am fine. Have you seen Sunil anywhere
Answer:
I said, ‘I am fine. Have you seen Sunil anywhere?’
B. There is one punctuation mark missing in each of these sentences. Add it.
Question 1.
Urvashi said ‘Our class teacher is on leave today.’
Answer:
Urvashi said,‘Our class teacher is on leave today.’
Question 2.
“But I saw her in the canteen today, said Heena.
Answer:
‘But I saw her in the canteen today,’ said Haya.
Question 3.
How sad ’ said Urvashi, “I thought we would have two free periods today.’
Answer:
‘How sad! ’ said Urvashi, ‘I thought we would have two free periods today.’
Pronouns
While reporting, we must pay close attention to personal pronouns, possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives—1, we, you, they, he, she, my, our, your, their, his, her, mine, ours, yours, theirs, hers.
Examples:
1. Teacher said to me, ‘This is Radhika’s book, please give it to her.’
What would you tell Radhika?—Teacher told me that this was your book and asked me to give it to you.
But if you report this to your friend Sashi, you would say—Teacher told me that this was Radhika’s book and asked me to give it to her.
2. His mother said to Raghu, ‘You must work hard.’
His mother told Raghu that he must work hard.
3. Mohan said to me, “My books are on your desk.’
Mohan told me that his books were on my desk.
As we see in these examples, the words we use to refer to people change to match the speaker/ writer and listener/reader.
C. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
Question 1.
Manny said to me, “We must play more football.’
Manny told me that ………………………. (we/you) must play more football.
Answer:
Manny said to me, ‘We must play more football. ’
Manny told me that we (we/you) must play more football.
Question 2.
Mr Chandresh said to me, ‘You must visit my house.’
Mr Chandresh insisted that I must visit ………………………. (my/his) house.
Answer:
Mr Chandresh said to me, ‘You must visit my house. ’
Mr Chandresh insisted that I must visit his (my/his) house.
Question 3.
Amrit said to Neeta, ‘Our friends will meet us in Noida.’
Amrit told Neeta that ………………………. (their/our) friends would meet ………………………. (them/us) in Noida.
Answer:
Amrit said to Neeta, ‘Our friends will meet us in Noida.’
Amrit told Neeta that their (their/our) friends would meet them (them/us) in Noida.
Reporting verbs
We usually use verbs like said (say), told (tell) to introduce what somebody said. Verbs that help us convey what was said are called reporting verbs. They are used in direct and indirect speech.
Says and told are the reporting verbs in the following sentences:
- He says, “The world is a flat piece of paper.
- He told me he could help me with my homework.
Said and told are used in similar contexts but in reported speech we say something, and we tell somebody something. In direct speech, we use said to me/him/her, etc.
Examples:
- Dipti said to me, ‘I might not come to school tomorrow.’
- Dipti said that she might not come to school the next day.
- Dipti told me that she might not come to school the next day.
D. Fill in the blanks with told or said.
Question 1.
Rosy ………………………. that he was going to the supermarket.
Answer:
Rosy said that he was going to the supermarket.
Question 2.
He ………………………. Sonia that he had to get some stationery.
Answer:
He told Sonia that he had to get some stationery.
Question 3.
I ………………………. to him, “You have to hand in your work on time.’
Answer:
I said to him, ‘You have to hand in your work on time.’
Question 4.
Sameer ………………………. that he that he didn’t believe in aliens.
Answer:
Sameer said that he didn’t believe in aliens.
Question 5.
My grandmother ………………………. me that when she was little, computers were unheard of.
Answer:
My grandmother told me that when she was little, computers were unheard of.
Some of the other reporting verbs we use are answered, added, promised, replied, suggested, explained, etc. The use of the reporting verb depends on the type of sentence reported.
Interrogative Sentences
While reporting questions we use the reporting verbs asked, enquired, etc. and while reporting the answer to the questions we use verbs like replied, answered, etc.
Examples:
- Salim said to me, ‘Have you read The Wind in the Willows?’
Salim asked me if I had read The Wind in the Willows.
I told Salim, ‘Yes, it is my favourite book.’
I replied that I had and that it was my favourite book - Tarun said to me, ‘Where is our next class?’
Tarun asked me where our next class was.
A. Punctuate the following sentences in direct speech. Insert (..) and ()
Imperative Sentences
While reporting imperative sentences we use a reporting verb to match the mood of the sentence. Apart from say and rell we can also use as request, beg, command in it, ander warm remind, exicowa gesi, pryse, etc.
Examples:
- The Judge said to the people, “Maintain silence.”
The Judge ordered the people to maintain silence. - I said to John, “Please pass me the salt.”
Trieste Jolino pass me the salt. - Linda said, ‘Let’s go for a swim.
Linda menekled going for a swim
Please note that in reported speech we use the non-finite form of the verbs in quotes. We use infinitive forms (base verb, lo + base verb) or gerund forms (ing).
Exclamatory Sentences
While reporting exclamatory sentences we use reporting verbs like exclaimed, admired, apologize cried, wished thanked, etc. Interjections like wow, oh, oh dear, alas, etc. and nouns of addres are removed
Examples:
- Ritu said to me ‘Wow! What a beautiful dress! Ritu admired my dress.
- I said to my teacher, ‘Good morning, Ma’am!-I wished my teacher good morning
- ‘Oh, no! I didn’t bring my lunchbox!’ said Deepak. Deepak exclaimed that hadn’t brought his lunchbox.
- Surya said to Shayan, ‘I am so sorry! Surya apologized to Shayan.
E. Fill in the blanks with appropriate reporting verbs from the box.
1. Sanjay said, ‘Shall we go to the chemistry lab?
Sanjay ……………………… to go to the chemistry lab.
2. He said to me, ‘T’ll definitely help you.”
He ……………………… to help me.
3. Manish said to me, I’m sorry. I forgot to bring your packet.”
Manish ……………………… for forgetting to bring my packet.
4. Natasha said to her little brother, “Don’t cross the street carelessly”
Natasha ……………………… her little brother not to cross the street carelessly
5. Nisha said to the receptionist, ‘Is Dr Gregory here?’
Nisha ……………………… if Dr Gregory was there.
6. ‘Oh dear! I have lost my keys!’ said Chandu.
Chandu ……………………… that he had lost his keys.
Answer:
1. Sanjay said, ‘Shall we go to the chemistry lab?’
Sanjay asked to go to the chemistry lab.
2. He said to me, ‘I’ll definitely help you.
He offered to help me.
3. Manish said to me, ‘I’m sorry. I forgot to bring your packet.
Manish apologized for forgetting to bring my packet
4. Natasha said to her little brother, ‘Don’t cross the street carelessly.
Natasha advised/warmed her little brother not to cross the street carelessly.
5. Nisha said to the receptionist, ‘Is Dr Gregory here?’
Nisha asked if Dr Gregory was there.
6. ‘Oh dear! I have lost my keys! ’ said Chandu.
Chandu exclaimed that he had lost his keys.
TENSES
When we report a statement, we must look at the tense of the reporting verb.
1. If the reporting verb is in the present tense, we need not change the tense of the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
- a. She says, “They are on their way.’—She says that they are on their way.
- Kina says, “All birds are friendly.”—Kina says that all birds are friendly.
2. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, we change the tense of the rest of the sentence being reported into corresponding past tense.
Sometimes, when universal truths are being reported we can choose to retain the original tense of the sentence or change it. Examples:
- Mother said, “The earth revolves around the sun.
Mother said that the earth revolves/revolved around the sun. - Jose said, “Hot air rises to the top.’
Jose said that hot air rises/rose to the top.
Time And Place Words
When there are words that show time and place in direct speech, we have to change them appropriately in reported speech. Example:
- Rajesh said, “I will finish this project by next week.’
- Rajesh said that he would finish that project by the following week.
Here are a few such words:
But this is done in accordance with the time and place of reporting. The expressions change if the time is long past. They do not change if the speech is reported in the same place and period of time.
Examples:
- Sayani says, “I will not come to school tomorrow.’ (said on 12 August)”
- Sayani says that she will not come to school tomorrow. (also said on 12 August)
- Sayani told me that she would not come to school the next day. (30 November)
Reporting Conversations
In normal conversation we don’t always speak in full sentences. But while reporting them we must complete these sentences. Avoid using said and told too many times.
Instead, use reporting verbs like added, informed, wanted, etc.
Examples:
- Direct speech:
- Salim: How is Sanjay?
- Sanjukta: He is fine now.
- Salim: Was he seriously ill last month?
- Sanjukta: Not exactly. But he had some minor ailments. He is at home now.
Reported speech: Salim asked Sanjukta how Sanjay was. She replied that he was fine then. Salim wanted to know if Sanjay had been seriously ill the previous month. Sanjukta said that he had not been seriously ill, but he had had some minor ailments. Then she added that Sanjay was at home then.
Omission Of That
In reported speech, that is often used to introduce the speaker’s words. But even if we omit that, the meaning would remain the same.
Examples:
- Zoey told me (that) Rosie, Anuja and Shehnaaz were going for a movie the next day.
- Angmo said (that) she might not come to school the next day.
F. Read the following conversation and rewrite it in reported speech. Some reporting verbs you may want to use are informed, congratulated and thanked.
Sneha: Good morning, Pari. How are you?
Pari: Good morning, Sneha. I am getting on fine. You know, I got selected for the school table tennis team. We are going for the inter-school match on Friday.
Sena: Wow! Great! Wish you the best of luck for Friday. I’m sure you’ll win the match.
Pari: Thanks, Sneha. I hope we’ll win this time.
Sneha greeted Pari and asked ………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
Sneha greeted Pari and asked her how she was. Pari greeted Sneha back and told her that she was getting on fine. She also told Sneha that she had gotten selected for the school table tennis team, and that the team was going for the inter-school match on Friday.
Sneha exclaimed that was great, and then wished Pari the best of luck for Friday. She said that she was sure that Pari would win the match. Pari thanked Sneha and said that she hoped to win that time.
G. Here are a few lines from the famous story The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. Punctuate these sentences.
1. By Jove said Sherlock Holmes this is treasure trove indeed I suppose you know what you have got
………………………………………………………………………………
2. A precious diamond said Peterson it cuts into glass as though it were putty
………………………………………………………………………………
3. It is more than a precious stone said Holmes it is the precious stone
………………………………………………………………………………
4. Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle Watson exclaimed
………………………………………………………………………………
5. Precisely so said Holmes
………………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
1. By Jove said Sherlock Holmes, this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got‘
By Jove!’ said Sherlock Holmes, ‘this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got!
2. A precious diamond, sir? said Peterson. It cuts into glass as though it were putty
‘A precious diamond, sir?’ said Peterson. ‘It cuts into glass as though it were putty.’
3. It is more than a precious stone said Holmes it is the precious stone
‘It is more than a precious stone.’ said Holmes, ‘it is the precious stone.’
4. Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle Watson exclaimed
‘Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle!’ Watson exclaimed.
5. Precisely so said Holmes
‘Precisely so.’ said Holmes.