direct indirect speech exercises for class 8 with answers

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• Direct And Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and indirect speech is one topic in English grammar that confuses most language learners. It need not necessarily be so; if you understand how it works, you can easily use it in your writing.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

When converting direct speech to indirect speech or vice-versa, you will have to take care to convert the verb , pronoun and the adverb appropriately. Go through the following exercises and try them out. Answers are given below each exercise; refer to them to see if your answers are right.

Exercise 1: Change into indirect speech

Read the following sentences and convert them into indirect speech.

• Rahul told to me, “When are you leaving?”
• “Where do you live?” the stranger asked Aladdin.
• The teacher said to Shelly, “Why are you laughing?”
• Dhronacharya said to Arjun, “Shoot the bird’s eye.”
• “Call the first convict,” said the jury.
• “Call the ambulance,” said the man.
• Bruce said to me, “I shall do the work.”
• My mother said to me, “You were wrong.”
• Mr Richard said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
• The captain said to me, “Bravo! You have played well.”
• Raj said, “Alas! My pet died.”
• Ruchi said, “I may go there.”
• Bucky said to Steve, “Do you hear me?”
• The boy said, “Let me come in.”
• Granny said to me, “May God bless you.”

Answers –

• Rahul asked me when I was leaving.
• The stranger asked Aladdin where he lived.
• The teacher asked Shelly why he was laughing.
• Dhronacharya ordered Arjun to shoot the fish’s eye.
• The jury ordered to call the first convict.
• The man urged to call the ambulance.
• Bruce said to me he would do the work.
• My mother told me that I was wrong.
• Mr Richard requested me to wait there till he returned.
• The captain applauded me, saying that I had played well.
• Raj exclaimed sadly that his pet died.
• Ruchi said that she might go there.
• Bucky asked Steve if he heard him.
• The boy asked to let him come in.
• Granny prayed that God might bless me.

Convert the following into Direct Speech

Read the following passage and convert it into direct speech.

One of them told Issac that the latter had forgotten one thing that belonged to a mill. Issac enquired what that was. The friend asked where the miller was. Issac replied that (absence of the miller) was true – and he must look for one.

“But Issac,” said one of them, “you have forgotten one thing that belongs to a mill.”

“What is that?” asked Issac.

“Why, where is the miller?” said his friend.

“That is true – I must look for one,” said Issac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct narration.

When the actual words/sentences as spoken by the speaker are quoted in a speech, it’s called direct speech/narration.

What is indirect speech?

When the quoted speech is reported in the form of a narrative without changing the meaning of the actual quotation/words by the speaker, it’s called indirect speech/narration.

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Home / English Grammar / Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers (2024)

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers (2024)

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers (2024) help learners understand how to change direct statements into reported speech, improving their comprehension and speaking skills.

We often use direct and indirect speech to clearly convey what someone said or to summarize information. Improve your knowledge with over 200 exercises and answers focused on Direct and Indirect Speech.

By practicing changing quotes into reported speech, you’ll learn the rules and improve your ability to tell the difference between direct and indirect speech. Strengthen your understanding of English with our detailed set of direct and indirect speech exercises and answers, designed to enhance your language proficiency.

Understanding Direct Speech in English

Direct speech is when the exact words spoken by a person are quoted within quotation marks. It provides a direct representation of what was said, maintaining the original wording and tone. Direct speech adds authenticity and immediacy to the narrative.

For example,

• Direct Speech: My aunt said, ‘Every mother loves her child.’
• Direct Speech: Mon said to me, ‘I shall go, but you will stay.’

English Indirect Speech examples

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, conveys someone else’s words without quoting them directly. Indirect speech offers a concise summary, enabling effective communication and storytelling.

• Indirect Speech: My aunt said that every mother loves her child.
• Indirect Speech: Mon told me that she would go but I should stay.

Before delving into the direct and indirect speech exercises, consider how Tense , Pronouns , Time , and Place change when transitioning from direct to indirect speech and vice versa.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and answers, along with examples are given in the following for practice. It’s important for students as well as for competitive Exams. For practice and easy comprehension, Direct and indirect speech Exercises and answers have been arranged according to different rules in the following.

Change of Tenses : Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Exercises and answers with tense alterations facilitate practice and comprehension of verb tense transformations.

Exercise 1:

Change the mode of narration from direct Speech to indirect speech .

(1) He said , ‘I need some money.’ Ans: He said that he needed some money.

(2) She said, ‘I am waiting for him.’ Ans: She said that she was waiting for him.

(3) The boy said , ‘I have done my homework.’ Ans: The boy said that he had done his homework.

(4) You said, ‘The baby has been sleeping .” Ans: You said that the baby had been sleeping .

(5) You say, ‘I am always busy.’ Ans: You say that you are always busy.

(6) The child will say , ‘Mum knows everything.’ Ans: The child will say that Mum knows everything.

(7) He said , ‘I did it.’ Ans: He said that he had done it.

(8) She said, ‘He was talking .’ Ans: She said that he had been talking .

(9) The monk said , ‘Man will die .’ Ans: The monk said that man will die.

(10) He said , ‘The sun gives us light.’ Ans: He said that the sun gives us light.

Exercise 2:

Switch the narrative style from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) He said to me, “I can’t recall your name.” Ans: He told me that he could not recall my name.

(2) Poulami says , “I am fine.” Ans: Poulomi says that she is fine.

(3) He said, “I did it.” Ans: He said that he had done it.

(4) “I know her address,” said Gopi. Ans: Gopi said that he knew her address.

(5) Ram said, “The earth is round.” Ans: Ram said that the Earth is round.

(6) “We planted it ourselves,” said the grandfather. Ans: The Gran Father said that they had planted it themselves.

(7) Debu said, “I have been playing rugby.” Ans: Debu said that he had been playing rugby.

(8) Purbasha said to me,” I am afraid of ghosts.” Ans: Purbasha told me that she was afraid of ghosts.

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Exercise 3:

Turn the following sentences from direct Speech to indirect speech .

(1) The boys said , “It has been raining since morning. We cannot play today.” Ans: The boys said that it had been raining since morning so they could not play that day.

(2) Anjan’s mother said, “Your father has left for Mumbai.” Ans: Anjan’s mother said that my father had left for Mumbai.

(3) My teacher said , “Practice makes a man perfect.” Ans: My teacher said that practice makes a man perfect.

(4) He says, “I go to the temple every morning.” Ans: He says that he goes to the temple every morning.

(5) He said to me, “I will not get down from the bus.” Ans: He told me that he would not get off the bus.

(6) Rita says to Mita, “I will go with you.” Ans: Rita tells Mita that she w ill go with her.

(7) The boy said to his friend, “I went to school yesterday.” Ans: The boy told his friend that he had gone to school the previous day.

(8) You said, “I was right.” Ans: You said that you had been right.

(9) “I ‘ll go to the top,” said the young lady. Ans: The young lady said that she would go to the top.

(10) I ‘ ve got my rules,” the conductor said to me. Ans: The conductor told me that he had got his rules.

Change of Pronouns in Direct and Indirect Speech: Exercises and Answers

Exercises and answers incorporating pronouns in direct and indirect speech facilitate learners’ understanding and application of pronoun changes in reported speech structures.

Exercise 4:

(1) You said, ‘ I never smoked.” Ans: You said that you never smoked.

(2) I said, ‘ I am always busy.” Ans: I said that I was alway busy

(3) I said to you , ‘ You look tired.” Ans: I said to you that you looked tired.

(4) You said to me , ‘ You are dependable.” Ans: You said to me that I was dependable.

(5) You said, “ He is right.” Ans: You said that he was right.

(6) I said, “ They will be late. Ans: I said that they w ould be late.

(7) He said to (Deep) , ‘ You told it so.” Ans: He said to Deep that he (Deep) had told it so.

(8) Mon said to Moon , “ You are naughty.” Ans: Mon said to Moon that she (Moon) was naughty.

Exercise 5:

Alter the narrative style from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) He said to me, “ I have done the job.” Ans: He told me that he had done the job.

(2) Rohit said, “ I was absent yesterday.” Ans: Rohit said that he (Rohit) had been absent the previous day.

(3) The boy said, “ My father died two years ago.” Ans: The boy said that his father had died two years before.

(4) He said, “ My goal is to climb Mt Everest. “ Ans: He said that his goal was to climb Mount Everest.

(5) “ I shall certainly do nothing of this kind”, the woman. Ans: The woman said that she would certainly do nothing of that kind.

(6) The man said, “ I am exhausted.” Ans: The man said that he was exhausted.

(7) He said, “ I am washing my hands.” Ans: He said that he was washing his hands.

(8) Mother bird said to her little ones, “Today I will teach you how to fly.” Ans: Mother bird told her little ones that that day, she would teach them how to fly.

(9) Rita’s father says. “ I have done this for you. Ans: Rita’s father says that he had done that for her.

(10) Sumana said to her sister, “ I want to play with you.” Ans: Sumana told her sister that she wanted to play with her.

Time and Place Expressions in Direct and Indirect Speech: Exercises and Answers

Exercises and answers on time and place expressions in direct and indirect speech aid learners in accurately conveying temporal and spatial information while mastering reported speech conventions.

Exercise 6:

Turn the following direct speech into indirect speech

(1) I said to you, “I wish to start business next year. “ Ans: I said to you that I wished to start business the following years.

(2) You said to them, “ Now I shall tell you a nice story.” Ans: You told them that then you would tell them a nice story.

(3) She said to him, “I bought the book yesterday. “ Ans: She told him that she had bought the book the previous day .

(4) He said to me, “I saw your sister two years ago . Ans: He told me that he had seen my sister two years before.

(5) He said to his son, “You may come with me tomorrow. Ans: He told his son that he (his son) might go with him the next day.

(6) He said to her, I’m talking to you now for your good.” Ans: He told her that he was talking to her then for her good.

(7) The girl said to me, My father died two years ago. “ Ans: The girl told me that her father died two years before.

Exception: But if ‘ now ‘, ‘ here ‘, ‘ this ‘ refer to things present before the speaker at the time of reporting, no change is needed.

(8) He said to me, ‘I have no friend here. ‘ Ans: He told me that he had no friend here.

(9) I said, ‘We cannot be happy in this world.’ Ans: I said that we cannot be happy in this world.

(10) She said, “ This is the house where I was born.” Ans: She said that this was the house where she was born.

Exercise 7:

Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(1) The boy said to his father, “I had my tiffin in school yesterday. “ Ans: The boy told his father that he had had his tiffin in school the previous day .

(2) The captain informed, “The tournament was postponed last year. “ Ans: The captain informed us that the tournament was postponed the previous year .

(3) She said, “We have been living here for two years.” Ans: She said that they had been living there for two years.

(4) Arnab said to Ajit,” I am happy today .” Ans: Arna told Ajit that he was happy that day.

(5) My friend said to me, “We went to the zoo yesterday. “ Ans: My friend told me that they had gone to the zoo the previous day.

(6) The clerk said, “I’ll do the work now. “ Ans: Clark said that he would do the work then.

(7) Hiten said to Mihir, “I received this letter yesterday. “ Ans: Hiten told me that he had received that letter the previous day.

(8) Rajib said to me. “I shall go to the picture today. “ Ans: Rajiv told me that he would go to the picture that day.

(9) He said, “We are very happy here. “ Ans: He said that they were very happy there.

(10) The farmer said, “I’ll sow the seeds now. “ Ans: The farmer said that he will show the seats then.

(12) The man said to me, “I received your gift yesterday. “ Ans: The man told me that he had received my gift the previous day.

(15) I said to my friend, “You were present in the class yesterday. “ Ans: I told my friend that he had been present in the class the previous day.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers of Assertive Sentences

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers focusing on assertive sentences enable learners to grasp the nuances of reporting statements confidently and accurately.

Exercise 8:

Transform the following direct speech into indirect speech

(1) My aunt said, ‘Every mother loves her child.’ Ans: My aunt said that every mother loves her child.

(2) Mon said to me, ‘I shall go, but you will stay.’ Ans: Mon told me that she would go but I should stay.

(3) He said to his father, ‘I shall always carry out your order.’ Ans: He told his father that he would always carry out his order.

(4) She said, ‘I sang a song at today’s function.’ Ans: She said that she had sung a song at today’s function.

(5) He said to me, ‘You are wicked, so I shall not mix with you.’ Ans: He told me that I was wicked, so he would not mix with me.

Exercise 9:

Change the following sentences converting the direct speeches into indirect speeches.

(1) The teacher said to the boy, “You have forgotten the lesson.” Ans: The teacher told the boy that he had forgotten the lesson.

(2) The boy said, “I shall go out and play.” Ans: The boy said that he would go out and play.

(3) He said, “I am happy to be here today.” Ans: He said that he was happy to be there that day.

(4) They said, “We shall play the game again tomorrow.” Ans: They said that they would play the game again the next day.

(5) The boy said, “Two and two make four.” Ans: The boy said that two and two make four.

Exercise 10:

Change the form of narration from indirect speech into direct speech.

(1) She told them that she had lost her books and theirs too. Ans : “I have lost my books and yours too”, she told them.

(2) The princess says that she has lost her way. Ans: The princess says, “I have lost my way.”

(3) They say that they must keep their locality clean. Ans: They say, “We must keep our locality clean.”

(4) The girl says that those books are theirs, but that one is hers. Ans: The girl says, “These books are theirs, but this one is mine.”

(5) The Happy prince said that he had led the dance in the Great Hall. Ans: The Happy Prince said, “I led the dance in the great hall.”

Interrogative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Engage with interrogative sentences through direct and indirect speech exercises and answers to sharpen your ability to convey questions effectively within different narrative frameworks.

Exercise 11:

(1) Mother said to her, ‘Are you feeling feverish?’ Ans: Mother inquired of her if she was feeling feverish.

(2) ‘Was it not a piece of luck?’ said Slavator. Ans: Salvtor wanted to know if that was not a piece of luck.

(3) The host said to me, ‘Have all the guests arrived?’ Ans: The host asked me whether all the guests had arrived.

(4) I said, ‘Do you know who will preside over the meeting?’ Ans: I asked whether he knew who would be presiding over the meeting.

(5) I said to the boy, ‘Did you pass the examination?’ Ans: I asked the boy if had passed the examination.

(6) She said to him, ‘Which of the books do you want to buy? Ans: She asked him which of the books he wanted to buy.

(7) The king said, ‘Who is not ready to due for his land, my countryman?’ Ans: The king asked his countrymen who was not ready to due for his land.

(8) He said to her, ‘Whose type writer are you using? Ans: He inquired of her whose type- writer she was using.

(9) The girl said to the strang ‘Whom do you want to see? Ans: The girl asked the stranger whom he wanted to see.

(10) The teacher said to the student, ‘Why are you late regularly? Ans: The teacher asked the student why he was late regularly.

Exercise 12:

Turn the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) Bulbuli said to her friend, “Will you come tomorrow?” Ans: Bulbuli asked her friend if she would on the next day.

(2) The policeman said to the stranger, “What are you looking for?” Ans: The police asked the stranger what he was looking for.

(3) Nikhil said to me, “Why do you look sad? Ans: Nikhil asked me why I looked sad.

(4) I said to her, “Did you take tea ?” Ans: I asked her if she had taken tea.

(5) The girl said to her mother, “Will you give me your bangles ?” Ans: The girl asked her mother if she would give her her bangles.

(6) Father said to me, “Why are you so upset?” Ans: Father asked me why I was so upset.

Exercise 13:

Change the following indirect speech into Direct speech.

(1) She asked me if I had called her. Ans: She said to me, “Did you call me ?”

(2) He asked me if I was writing a letter. Ans: He asked me, “Are you writing a letter ?”

(3) The man asked the child how he had got there. Ans: “How did you get here, child ?”, the man said.

(4) The police asked me if I could show my identity card. Ans: The police said to me, “Can you show your identity card ?”

(5) He asked us if we were attending the meeting that day. Ans: He said to us, “Are you attending the meeting today?”

(6) I asked her if she had taken medicine. Ans: I said to her, “Did you take medicine ?”

(7) Raja asked Dipu if he would go to school that day. Ans: Raja said to Dipu, “Will you go to school today?

Imperative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Master imperative sentences through direct and indirect speech exercises and answers, refining your skill in conveying commands and requests within diverse linguistic contexts.

Exercise 14:

Change the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech.

(1) The teacher said, ‘Boys, go to your classes.’ Ans: The teacher ordered the boys to go to their classes.

(2) She said to him, ‘Please lend me your pen.’ Ans: She requested him to lend her his pen.

(3) The mother said to her son, ‘Wait here for me.’ Ans: The mother told her son to wait there for her.

(4) He said to me, ‘Go home at once.’ Ans: He advised me to go home at once.

(5) I said to my teacher, ‘Please explain the passage. Ans: I requested my teacher to explain the passage.

(6) The student said to the teacher, “Excuse me, sir.’ Ans: The student begged the teacher to excuse him.

(7) He said, ‘Friends, lend me your ears. Ans: Addressing them as friends, he requested them to lend him their ears.

Exercise 15:

(1) The teacher said to the students, “Keep quiet.” Ans: The teachers ordered the students to keep quiet.

(2) My teacher said to me. “Do not neglect your studies.” Ans: My teacher advised me not to neglect my studies.

(3) The man said to his son, “Always try to be honest.” Ans: The man advised it’s on to always try to be honest.

(4) Mother said to Raju, “Do not run in the sun.” Ans: Mother ordered Raju not to run in the sun.

(5) The man said to me, “Brother, please help me.” Ans: Addressing as a brother, the man requested me to help him.

(6) The students said, “Please allow us to play in the field.” Ans: The students requested to allow them to play on the field.

(7) He said to me, “Please give me some money.” Ans: He requested me to give him some money.

Exercise 16:

Change the following sentences from Indirect speech to Direct Speech of narration.

(1) He advised me not to waste my valuable time. Ans: He said to me, “Don’t waste your valuable time.”

(2) The grandson advised the children not to pluck flowers. Ans: The gardener said to the children, “Do not pluck flowers.”

(3) Tom forbade Sid to shake him. Ans: Tom said to Sid, “Don’t shake me.”

(4) The master ordered the servant to sort the door. Ans: The master said to the servant, “Shut the door.”

(5) The commander ordered the soldiers to stand at ease. Ans: The commander said to the soldiers, “Stand at ease.”

(6) Addressing as sethji, the vendor told him not to rob the poor. Ans: “Sethji, don’t rob the poor”, said the vendor.

(7) The doctor advised the patient to take proper vitamins to stay healthy. Ans: The doctor said to the patient, “Take proper vitamins to stay healthy.”

(8) The teacher ordered the students to do it then. Ans: The teacher said to the students, “Do it now.”

Direct and indirect speech Exercises and Answers with “Let”

Enhance your understanding of direct and indirect speech through exercises and answers featuring the usage of “let,” allowing you to effectively report permissions, suggestions, or proposals in various contexts

Exercise 17:

Change the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech mode of narration.

(1) He said to her, ‘Let us go out for a walk,’ Ans: He proposed to her that they should go out for a walk.

(2) Mon said to Mohan, ‘Let us dis- cuss the matter,’ Ans: Mon suggested to Mohan that they should discuss the matter.

(3) The chairman said, ‘Let us put the motion to vote. Ans: The chairman proposed that they should put the motion to vote.

(4) I said to her, ‘Let us have some music,’ Ans: I proposed to her that we should have some music.

(5) ‘Let us hurry or we may miss the bus,’ said he, Ans: He urged all to hurry or they might miss the bus.

(6) She said, ‘Let me come in.’ Ans: She requested that she might be allowed to come in.

(7) He said, ‘Let her say whatever she likes.’ Ans: He said that she might say whatever she liked.

(8) He said, ‘Let me have a cup of coffee.’ Ans: He wished that he might have a cup of coffee.

(9) The player said to the captain, ‘Let me have a chance, please.’ Ans: The player requested the captain to let him have a chance.

(10) I said, ‘Let him work ever so hard, he cannot win the prize.’ Ans: He said that the visitor might be allowed to wait outside.

Exercise 18:

(1) Rahim said, “Let us decide the matter together.” Ans: Rahim suggested that they should decide the matter together.

(2) The boy said to me, “Let us play cricket.” Ans: The boy proposed that they should play cricket.

(3) He said, “Let me go home.” Ans: He wished that he might go home.

(4) He said to me, “Let him say whatever he likes.” Ans: He wished me that he might say whatever he liked.

(5) He shouted, “Let me go out. Ans: He shouted at me to go out.

Exercise 19:

Change the following sentences from indirect speech to direct speech mode of narration.

(1) She proposed that they should go to the cinema. Ans: She said, “Let us go to the cinema.”

(2) He suggested that they should drop the matter. Ans: He said, “Let us drop the matter”

(3) They suggested that they should make him give them their fears back. Ans: “Let’s make him give us our fares back,” they said.

(4) Shabnam proposed Chandni that they should go for a walk. Ans: “Let us go for a walk.” said Shabnam to Chandni.

(5) The leader suggested that they should hold a meeting the next day. Ans: The leader said, “Let’s hold a meeting tomorrow.”

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers of Optative Sentences

Practice direct and indirect speech with exercises and answers focusing on optative sentences, enabling you to accurately report wishes, prayers, or blessings while honing your linguistic proficiency.

Exercise 20:

Change the following from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.

(1) Mother said, ‘May you be happy.’ Ans: Mother wished that I might be happy.

(2) He said to you, ‘May God bless you.’ Ans: He prayed that God might bless you.

(3) She said, ‘Had I been there!’ Ans: She wished that she had been there.

(4) He said to me, ‘May you succeed.’ Ans: He wished that I might succeed.

(5) They said, ‘Long live the leader.’ Ans: They prayed that the leader might live long.

(6) He said to me, ‘May your mother recover soon. Ans: He wished that my mother might recover soon.

(7) The monk said, ‘May peace prevail.’ Ans: The monk hoped that peace would prevail.

(8) The boy siad, ‘Had I the wings of a bird.’ Ans: The boy wished that he could have the wings of a bird.

Exercise 21:

(1) I said to him, “May you be happy.” Ans: I wished that he might be happy.

(2) Mother said to me, “May God bless you.” Ans: Mother prayed that God might bless me.

(3) He said, “May his soul rest in peace.” Ans: He prayed that his soul might rest in peace.

(4) The girl said, “Oh, had I the wings of a dove.” Ans: The girl wished that she could have the wings of a dove.

(5) I said to him, “May you live long.” Ans: I wished him that he might live long.

Exercise 22:

Change the following from Indirect Speech to Direct Speech.

(1) Nilima wished me that I might recover soon. Ans: Nilima said to me, “May you recover soon.”

(2) Mother wished him that God might grant him a long life. Ans : Mother said to him, “May God grant you a long life.”

(3) The holy man wished that peace might prevail. Ans: The holy man said, “May peace prevail.”

(4) She wished that Mother Teresa might recover from illness soon. Ans: She said, “May Mother Teresa recover from illness soon.”

(5) He wished that he could bring his departed friend back to life. Ans: He said, “Oh, if I could bring my departed friend back to life.”

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises of Exclamatory Sentences

Engage in direct and indirect speech exercises focusing on exclamatory sentences to refine your ability in reporting strong emotions or exclamations accurately within different narrative frameworks.

Exercise 23:

(1) The supporters said, ‘Hurrah! we have won?’ Ans: The supporter exclaimed in joy that they had won.

(2) The girl said, ‘How wonderful love is!’ Ans: The girl exclaimed in joy that love is wonderful.

(3) The teacher said, ‘Bravo! Well done!’ Ans: The teacher applauded his students by saying that they had done well.

(4) ‘Alas! I am undone’, said the women. Ans: They women cried out in sorrow that she was undone.

(5) He said, ‘Good bye, my friends !’ Ans: He bade his friends good bye.

(6) The old man said to the youth, ‘Fie! You are such a coward.’ Ans: The old man exclaimed that it was shameful for the youth to be such a coward.

(7) ‘How dirty the house is!’ he observed. Ans: He exclaimed in irritation that the house was very dirty.

(8) ‘Good God! I am saved’, said he. Ans: He exclaimed in the name of merciful God that he was saved.

Exercise 24:

(1) The boys triumphantly said, “Hurrah! We have won the match.” Ans: The boys exclaimed in joy that they had won the match.

(2) The old man said to the girl, “May you be happy !” Ans: The old man wished the girl that she might be happy.

(3) He said, “What good news!” Ans: He exclaimed in joy that it was very good news.

(4) The children said, “How happy we were there!” Ans: The children gloomily said that they had been very happy there.

(5) He said to you. “May God bless you.” Ans: He wished you that God might bless you.

(6) My friend said to me. “What a fool you are!” Ans: My friend exclaimed in despair that she was a big fool.

Exercise 25:

(1) Piyali exclaimed in sorrow that she had lost her phone. Ans: “Alas! I have lost my phone”, said Piyali.

(2) Mother wished Roy that his dreams might come true. Ans: Mother said to Roy, “May your dreams come true.”

(3) The girl exclaimed that she had been very sensible. Ans: How insensible I have been!”, said the girl.

(4) The girl exclaimed in sorrow that she had torn her frock. Ans: The girl said, “Oh dear! I have torn my frock.”

(5) She exclaimed in sorrow that she was undone. Ans: She said, “Alas! I am undone.”

(6) They wished me happy birthday. Ans: They said to me. “Happy birthday!”

(7) The students bade their teacher good morning. Ans: “Good morning, Madam!”, said the students to the teacher.

Unsolved Worksheets for Direct and Indirect Speech

A . Change the following into reported speech .

1. Rita says, “Kishore sang a song”.

2. The saint said, “Man is mortal”

3. You said, “we are learning our lesson’.

4. He said to me, “My father went to Mumbai last week.

5. I said to her, “Are you leaving tonight?”

6. He said to her, “Can you lend me your umbrella?”

7. She said, “I saw a tiger here’.

8. The principal said, “well done! my boys”.

9. She said, “Let them play.”

10. I said to Harsh, “Please help me.”

B. Change the direct speech into Indirect Speech

1. He asked me, “Where has he gone?”

2. The Prime Minister said, “National Integrity will be preserved at all costs.

3. She said, “My uncle came yesterday.”

4. Sheela said to us, “You must work hard.”

5. They said, “We trust in God.”

6. The officer said to him. “You will be dismissed if you do not attend the office in time.'”

7. He said to me “I am reading a book.”

8. He said, “Thanks for reminding me.’

9. She said,” Keep this room open.’

10. I said to him, “I went there on Tuesday.”

C. Choose the correct option .

1. I advised him ____________ it.

(a) to not do

(b) not to do

2. She told me ____________ careful.

(c) that be

3. She asked me if I ____________ my lunch.

(b) have eaten

(c) had eaten

4. She asked me ____________ going to the movies

(a) that I was

(b) if was I

(c) if I was

5. The dentist suggested ____________  get a new toothbrush.

(b) that I should

(c) me that I should

6. She said that no one ____________ me

(c) had called

7. He asked me ____________  to deserve such a cruel punishment.

(a) what had he done

(b) what he had done

(c) that he had done

8. He promised he ____________  do it by the end of the week.

9. She said that ____________  me before.

(a) she hadn’t met

(b) she did not meet

(c) she will not meet

10. I requested her____________  me.

(b) to help

(c) that help

D. Complete the sentences in the reported speech.

1. The girl said that it ___________ to be there that evening.

(a) gave her great pleasure

(b) gives her great pleasure

(c) gives her great pleasure

2. The man said that he ___________ as soon as possible.

(a) must go

(b) had gone

(c) should be gone

3. She said that she ___________ to se any of them.

(a) does not want

(b) did not want

(c) had not wanted

4. The teacher says that if you work hard you ___________

(a) would pass

(b) will pass

5. He said that he  ___________

(b) has won

(c) had won

6. He proposed that they ___________ for her return.

(a) shall wait

(b) will wait

(c) should wait

7. Alice exclaimed how clever ___________

(a) she was

(b) was she

(c) she has been

8. The young man asked which way she ___________

(a) has gone

(c) would go.

9. He asked me where ___________ going.

10. She requested them to wait there till she ___________

(a) returns

(b) returned

(c) will return

E. Complete the sentence in the reported speech.

1. Ravi said, “I love this place”.

Ravi said _______________ 

2. “Do you like football?” He asked me.

He asked me_______________ 

3. “I can’t drive a lorry”, he said.

He said _______________ 

4. “Be nice to your brother”, he said

He asked me _______________ 

5. “Don’t be nasty, “he said

He urged me _______________ 

6. “Don’t waste your money “she said,

She told the boys _______________ 

7. “What have you decided to do? “she asked

him. She asked him _______________ 

8. “I always wake up early”. he said,

He said_______________ 

9. “You should revise your lessons’, he said,

He advised the students _______________ 

10. “Where have you been? “he asked me

He wanted to know _______________ 

F. Complete the sentence in the reported speech.

1. She said, “I went to cinema yesterday,”

She said _______________ 

2. You said, “I will do this for him.”

You said _______________ 

3. He said, “I am writing a test tomorrow,

4. She said, “I am not hungry now”,

5. They said, “We have never been here before.”

They said _______________ 

6. They said, “We were in London last week.”

7. He said, “They won’t sleep.”

8. “Have you been shopping?” he asked us.

9. She said, “It is very quiet here.

10. “I don’t speak Italian”, she said.

She said_______________ 

G. Read the dialogue and complete the following passage.

Susan: Why have you not brought my party dress? Jenny: I haven’t brought it because I had gone to my uncle’s house with my parents, so I forgot to keep it. Susan: Don’t give me silly excuses. I want to know the truth. Jenny: I am sorry Susan. I was chatting with my friends till late. I forgot that you needed it urgently today.

Susan asked Jenny (a) …………… Jenny said that she (b) …………… . Susan (c) …………… . Jenny said that she was sorry and further added that she was chatting with her friends till late and she had forgotten that Jenny needed it urgently that day.

H. Read the following conversation and complete the passage that follows.

Dilip: I’ve been watching the sea and there hasn’t been any trace of a ship. Ralph: I told you yesterday too that we’ll be rescued, so have patience. Dilip: Why do you ask me to keep quiet whenever I say something? Ralph: Have you ever said anything sensible?

Dilip said (a) ………… . Ralph replied (b) ………… and so asked him to have patience. Dilip angrily asked Ralph (c) ………… to which Ralph wanted to know (d) …………

Direct and Indirect Speech Answers Key

1. Rita says that Kishore sang a song.

2. The saint said that the man is mortal.

3. You said that you were learning your lesson.

4. He hold me that his father had gone to Mumbai the previous week.

5. I asked her if she was leaving that night.

6. He asked her if she could lend him her umbrella.

7. She said that she had seen a tiger there.

8. The principal exclaimed with applause that the boys had done well.

9. She suggested that they should be allowed to play.

10. I requested Harsh to help me.

1. He asked me where he had gone.

2. The Prime Minister declared that the National Integrity would be preserved at all costs.

3. She said that her uncle had come the previous day.

4. Sheela told us that we must work hard.

5. They said that they trusted in God.

6. The officer warned him that he would be dismissed

if he did not attend the office in time.

7. He told me that he was reading a book.

8. He thanked me for reminding him.

9. She ordered to keep that room open.

10. I told him that I had gone there on Tuesday.

1. (b) not to do

2. (b) to be

3. (c) had eaten

4. (c) if I was

5. (b) that I should

6. (c) had called

7. (b) what he had done

8. (b) would

9. (a) she hadn’t met

10. (b) to help

D. Complete the sentences in reported speech.

1. (a) gave her great pleasure.

2. (a) must go

3. (b) did not want

4. (b) will pass

5. (c) had won

6. (c) should wait

7. (a) she was

8. (b) had gone

9. (a) I was

10. (b) returned

E. Complete the sentence in reported speech.

1. that he loved that place

2. whether I liked football

3. that he couldn’t drive a lorry

4. to be nice to my brother

5. not to be nasty

6. not to waste their money

7. what he had decided to do

8. that he always wake up early

9. to revise their lessons

10. where I had been

F. Complete the sentence in reported speech.

1. that she had gone to cinema the previous day.

2. that you would do that for him.

3. that he will be writing a test the next day.

4. that she was not hungry then.

5. that they had never been there before.

6. that they had been in London the previous week.

7. that they wouldn’t sleep.

8. whether we had been shopping.

9. that it was very quiet there.

10. that she didn’t speak Italian.

G. Read the dialogue and complete the following passage

(a) why she had not brought her party dress

(b) hadn’t brought it as she had gone to her uncle’s house with her parents; so she had forgotten to keep it

(c) told her not to give silly excuses and further said that she wanted to know the truth.

(a) that he had been watching the sea and that there had not been any trace of a ship

(b) that he had told him the day before that they would be rescued

(c) why he asked him to keep quiet whenever he said something

(d) if he had ever said anything sensible

FAQs on Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises and Answers

Q: what’s the purpose of the indirect speech.

A: Indirect speech allows us to convey someone else’s words without quoting them verbatim. It’s useful for summarizing and paraphrasing.

Q: Are tense changes mandatory in indirect speech?

A: Yes, tense changes are often necessary to accurately reflect the timing of the original statement.

Q: Can reporting verbs be used interchangeably?

A: While reporting verbs can be interchangeable to some extent, their nuances can impact the meaning of the reported speech.

Q: Is it possible to transform any direct speech into indirect speech?

A: Yes, most direct speech can be converted into indirect speech, although some cases may require adjustments.

Q: How can I identify indirect speech in a sentence?

A: Look for keywords like “said,” “asked,” or other reporting verbs, as well as changes in pronouns, tenses, and time expressions.

Q: Why is mastering direct and indirect speech important?

A: Mastering these skills enhances communication clarity, adds variety to language use, and fosters effective expression.

Conclusion:

Direct and indirect speech exercises and answers are invaluable tools for effective communication. By honing this skill, you’ll not only convey information accurately but also showcase your language expertise. Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you engage in these exercises, the more naturally you’ll incorporate them into your everyday language use.

Related Posts:

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 8 with Answers is here

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 8 with Answers is here for you. Solve the exercises, match them with answers and analyze. You will find the collection useful.

Here in the collection of exercises, you will get lots of direct sentences. You need to convert them into indirect. Then from the indirect speech, you need to convert it into direct speech.

Let us go ahead and start with exercises.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 8 with Answers – Type 1

Exercise – 1 .

Transform these sentences into indirect speech. 

• Harsh said, “I am hungry for knowledge.”
• Geeta cried, “I want those biscuits”
• Indrajeet said, “My dress is getting wet.”
• Jagjeevan said to his mother, “Please, buy me a new dress for the party.”
• Kuldeep said to the police, “Keep my bag and baggage safe.”

Check Your Answers

Check your answers to the direct and indirect speech exercises for class 8 with answers.

• Harsh said that he was hungry for knowledge.
• Geeta cried that she wanted those biscuits.
• Indrajeet said that his dress was getting wet.
• Jagjeevan requested his mother to buy him a new dress for the party.
• Kuldeep advised the police to keep his bag and baggage safe.

Exercise – 2

• My father said to me, “Why are you not studying for the examination?”
• The uncle said to aunty. “Have you prepared the food?”
• Hina said, “I won’t get up early in the morning tomorrow.”
• The teacher said, “Oil floats over water.”
• The principal said, “I want everyone to attend the assembly.”
• My father asked me why I was not studying for the examination.
• The uncle asked aunty if she had prepared the food.
• Hina said that she would not get up early in the morning the next day.
• The teacher said that oil floats over water.
• The principal said that she wanted everyone to attend the assembly.

Exercise – 3

• The instructor said, “Bend your knees.”
• He said, “Alas! Our principal has been transferred.”
• Rima said to my sister, “Who are you?”
• The teacher said to us, “Get out of my class.”
• Sanjay said to his father, “Will you help me?”
• The instructor ordered him to bend his knees.
• He exclaimed with sorrow that their principal had been transferred.
• Rima asked my sister who she was.
• The teacher ordered us to get out of his class.
• Sanjay asked his father if he would help him.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 8 with Answers – Type 2

Transform these sentences into direct speech. 

• Reena instructed her brother to get a glass of water for her.
• Raju said that it was all his mistakes.
• The old man asked the fireman if he had saved his nephew.
• The father requested the teacher to allow him to go home.
• Mr. Sharma ordered his assistant to meet in his office with the file.
• Reena said to her brother, “Get a glass of water for me.”
• Raju said, “It is all my mistakes.”
• The old man said to the fireman, “Have you saved my nephew?”
• The father said to the teacher, “Allow me to go home.”
• Mr. Sharma said to his assistant, “Meet in my office with the file.”

Analysis of the Above Answers

• My brother instructed me to meet him at Planetarium.
• The members said that they did not want to appoint Mr. Gupta as their manager.
• She exclaimed with delight that she was glad to see him at the annual function.
• My uncle advised me to take the old man across the road.
• The instructor suggested that the teacher could have her class outside of the class that day.
• My brother said to me, “Meet me at Planetarium.”
• The members said, “We do not want to appoint Mr. Gupta as their manager.”
• She said, “Hurrah! I am glad to see you at the annual function.”
• My uncle said to me, “Take the old man across the road.”
• The instructor said, “The teacher can have her class outside of the class today.”
• The colleagues said that they were sad about the loss of the company.
• My friend asked the driver if he was familiar with the route.
• Julia said that she wanted to attend the marriage party of her friend.
• Fareed said that he was in great pain due to corona-19.
• The government strictly ordered us to stay at home and not to go out unnecessarily.
• The colleague said, “We are sad about the loss of the company.”
• My friend said to the driver, “Are you familiar with the route?”
• Julia said, “I want to attend the marriage party of her friend.”
• Fareed said, “I am in great pain due to corona-19.”
• The government strictly said to us, “Stay at home and don’t go out unnecessarily.”

Hope this exercise has been very helpful to you. For more exercises like this click the links below-

• Active and Passive Voice Exercises
• Article exercises 
• Preposition Exercise

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• Class 8 English Grammar Chapter 16 Direct and Indirect Speech

Class 8 English Grammar Chapter 16 Direct and Indirect Speech. When we use the actual words of the speaker, we use Direct Speech but when we report what he said in our own words, we use Indirect Speech. The actual words of the speaker are called Reported Speech and the verb introducing the Reported Speech is called the Reporting Verb. What a person says can be written in direct or indirect speech whereas the mode of narration which we use to report others’ thoughts and speech is known as indirect or reported speech.

Grade 8 English Grammar Chapter 16 Direct and Indirect Speech

• Class 8 English Grammar Chapter 16 Revision Book
• Class 8 English Grammar Next Chapter
• Class 8 English Grammar Main Page
• Class 8 English NCERT Solutions
• Class 8 all Subjects Solutions

The intricacies of language and expression become evident when one dives into the fascinating realm of Direct and Indirect Speech. Platforms dedicated to NCERT Solutions, such as Tiwari Academy, provide valuable insights into this topic, ensuring students grasp its nuances as presented in Chapter 16 of Class 8 English Grammar.

Direct Speech : This form of expression captures the verbatim words of a speaker, preserving its original essence. Enclosed within quotation marks, it presents an authentic representation of what someone stated. For instance, She said, “I am going to the market.” Here, the speaker’s exact words “I am going to the market” exemplify Direct Speech.

Indirect (or Reported) Speech : In contrast, Indirect Speech relays the essence of what was spoken but paraphrases it, translating the speaker’s words into the reporter’s own linguistic style. Using our earlier example, the Indirect Speech would be: She said that she was going to the market. Notice the subtle shift in words and tenses.

Direct Speech

• The Reported Speech is put within Inverted Commas . (“ ”)
• The First word of the Reported Speech begins with a capital Letter.
• The Reported Speech is separated by a comma (,) from the Reporting Verb.

Download App for Class 8

In the realm of English grammar, two crucial terms stand out: Reported Speech : This refers to the actual words or the content of what the speaker articulated. It becomes the crux of our conversion from direct to indirect speech. Reporting Verb : The verb, often ‘said’ or ‘told’, which introduces the Reported Speech, playing a pivotal role in setting the context for the narration.

Indirect Speech

• Inverted Commas (“ ”) are not used in Reported Speech. It is generally introduced by the Conjunction if., that, what, why, etc.
• The comma separating the Reporting Verb from the Reported Speech is removed.
• The Tense of the Reporting Verb is never changed.
• The Question Mark (?) and the Mark of Exclamation (!) are not used.
• The Interrogative, the Imperative and the Exclamatory sentences are put as statements.

Change of the Tense

While changing Direct Speech into indirect Speech, the rule of Sequence of Tenses is followed. If the Reporting Verb is in the Present or Future Tense, the tense of the verb in the Reported Speech is not changed at all.

If the Reporting Verb is in the Past Tense, the Tense of the Reported Speech will change.

If the Reported Speech expresses some Universal Truth, Factual Truth, Habitual Fact, Custom, Proverb, Natural Fact, Historical Fact and Scientific Fact, the tense of the verb in the Reported Speech is not changed into the Past, but remains exactly.

The dynamic shift between Direct and Indirect Speech offers versatility in communication. While Direct Speech provides immediacy and emotional resonance by capturing the exact words, Indirect Speech offers flexibility, allowing the narrator to frame the information in a manner that aligns with the broader narrative.

Students diving into this chapter, with resources like those available at Tiwari Academy, will benefit from numerous examples and exercises. These are designed to instill confidence in them to switch between Direct and Indirect modes of speech seamlessly, enriching their expressive capabilities and bolstering their command over English communication.

Copyright 2024 by Tiwari Academy | A step towards Free Education

NCERT Solutions for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech

April 25, 2019 by Veerendra

CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English . Here we have given CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech.

1. There are two different ways in which we can report the words of a speaker : (a) Direct Speech or Direct Narration. (b) Indirect Speech or Indirect Narration.

2. (a) Direct Speech contains the actual words of the speaker ; as— Sarla said, “My father has a roaring business in Mumbai.” He said to me, “I am feeling unwell today.” In these sentences, actual words of the speaker are given within inverted commas without any change.

(b) Indirect Speech gives the substance of the speaker’s actual words and not the exact words spoken by him or her ; as— Sarla said that her father had a roaring business in Mumbai. He told me that he was feeling unwell that day.

3. The actual words of the speaker, given within ‘inverted commas’ are called the Reported Speech. In the same way, the Verb which introduces the Reported Speech is called the Reporting Verb. In the sentence above ‘said’ is the Reporting Verb and ‘My father has a roaring business in Mumbai’ is the Reported Speech. Reporting Verb and Reported Speech. Look at the following sentences : Radha says, “I shall finish my home-work today.” Sushma said to Pushpa, “Show me your dolls.” The verbs ‘says and said’ in the above sentences are ‘Reporting Verbs’. The exact words of the speaker given within the inverted commas are ‘Reported Speech’.

4. Here are some distinctive points regarding the Direct Speech and Indirect Speech : In the Direct Speech 1. The Reported Speech is put within Reported (Inverted) Commas. 2. The Reported Speech and the Reporting Verb are separated by a Comma. 3. The first word of the Reported Speech begins with a capital letter.

Transformation of Direct Speech into Indirect Speech

I. Rules for the Change of Tense

Examples 1 Direct: Rajesh says, “She has brought lame to her family.” Indirect: Rajesh says that she has brought fame to her family. 2. Direct: ohit has said, “I cannot displease my friend.” Indirect: Rohit has said that he cannot displease his friend. 3. Direct: I shall say, “I went to Agra on Monday.” Indirect: I shall say that I went to Agra on Monday. 4. Direct: She will say, “I have sent him a present.” Indirect: She will say that she has sent him a present.

Examples 1. Direct: I said, “I am speaking the truth.” Indirect: I said that I was speaking the truth. 2. Direct : The teacher said, “Boys fail because they do not study regularly.” Indirect: The teacher said that boys failed because they did not study regularly.

Exception to Rule II (i) If there is a Universal Truth or Habitual fact in the Reported Speech, the Tense of the verb is never changed ; as— 1. Direct: He said, “Face is the index of mind.” Indirect: He said that face is the index of mind. 2. Direct: The teacher said. “The earth rotates round its axis.” Indirect: The teacher said that the earth rotates round its axis. 3. Direct: Horatius said, “Death comes sooner or later.” Indirect: Horatius said that death comes sooner or later.

(ii) The Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech does not change if the reported speech states a past historical fact ; as— 1. Direct: He said, “India became free on 15th August, 1947.” Indirect: He said that India became free on 15th August, 1947. 2. Direct: She said. “Her father lived at Lahore for ten years.” Indirect: She said that her father lived at Lahore for ten years.

(iii) If two such actions are given in the Reported Speech which take place at the same time, the Past Indefinite or Continuous Tense does not change. Direct: He said, “Mohan was singing a song while Gopal was playing on a flute.” Indirect: He said that Mohan was singing a song while Gopal was playing on a flute. Examples 1. Direct: She said, “I am a top-class singer.” Indirect: She said that she was a top-class singer. 2. Direct: We said, “He is writing a poem.” Indirect: We said that he was writing a poem. 3. Direct: He said, “It may rain tonight.” Indirect: He said that it might rain that night. 4. Direct: He said, “A devil ever remains a devil.” Indirect: He said that a devil ever remains a devil.

The future tense of the reported speech is changed as under : Future Indefinite—would/should Future Continuous—would/should be Future Perfect—would/should have Future Perfect Continuous—would/should have been

Examples 1. Direct: You said, “He is a very good athlete.” Indirect: You said that he was a very good athlete. 2. Direct: I said, “I have finished my work.” Indirect: I said that I had finished my work. 3. Direct: He said, “Her parents will pay a visit to Delhi.” Indirect: He said that her parents would pay a visit to Delhi.

Interrogative Sentences Conversion of Interrogative Sentences A From Direct Into Indirect

Examples (a) Questions beginning with a Helping Verb 1. Direct: He said to her, “Shall I accompany you to Agra ?” Indirect: He asked her if he would (should) accompany her to Agra. 2. Direct: She said to him, “Had I been absenting myself from school for a month ?” Indirect: She asked him if she had been absenting herself from school for a month. 3. Direct: He said to us, “Has she been spinning since yesterday ?” Indirect: He asked us if she had been spinning since the previous day. 4. Direct: They said to you, “Shall we be going on picnic tomorrow ?” Indirect: They asked you if they would be going on picnic the next day. 5. Direct: I said to her, “Will you have ironed your clothes ?” Indirect: I asked her if she would have ironed her clothes.

(b) Sentences having ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ 1. Direct: “Are there any more files ?” He asked. “Yes, sir,” said the peon. Indirect: He asked the peon if there were any more files. The peon replied respectfully in affirmative. 2. Direct: The teacher said to Lila. “Did you break the window pane ?” “No, sir.” said Lila, “I did not.” Indirect: The teacher asked Lila if she had broken the window pane. Lila replied respect¬fully and refused it (to have done it). 3. Direct: “If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees ?” said the astrologer. “No.” replied the customer. Indirect: The astrologer asked the customer whether he would give him five rupees if he found his answers satisfactory. The customer replied in negative. 4. Direct: I said to him. “Do you want to go to Chandigarh ?” He said, “No, sir.” Indirect: I asked him if he wanted to go to Chandigarh and respectfully he replied in negative. 5. Direct: He said to me, “Does Mohan still play ?” I said, “Yes, sir.” Indirect: He asked me if Mohan still played and I replied in positive.

(c) Questions beginning with Interrogative Words 1. Direct: He said to me. “Whom does she want to contact ?” Indirect: He asked me whom she wanted to contact. 2. Direct: They said to her, “Whose house are you purchasing ?” Indirect: They asked her whose house she was purchasing. 3. Direct: You said to him “Why are you making mischief ?” Indirect: You asked him why he was making mischief. 4. Direct: They said to us, “How have you solved this sum ?” Indirect: They asked us how we had solved that sum. 5. Direct: We said to them, “Who has misguided you ?” Indirect: We asked them who had misguided them.

(d) Questions beginning with modal auxiliaries 1. Direct: I said to him, “May Sunita come in to discuss with you something ?” Indirect: I asked him if Sunita might come in to discuss with him something. 2. Direct: The traveller said to me, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn ?” Indirect: The traveller asked me if I could tell him the way to the nearest inn. 3. Direct: He said to me. “Must I leave for Mumbai tomorrow ?” Indirect: He asked me if he had to leave for Mumbai the next day. 4. Direct: I said to her, “Could you give me your notes ?” Indirect: I asked her if she could give me her notes. 5. Direct: I said to him, “Need I go to him ?” Indirect: I asked him if I had to go to him.

Exercise 1 (Solved)

Convert the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. He said to her. “Do you want to go home ?” 2. He said to you. “Where are you going ?“ 3. I said to him, “What brings you here ?” 4. You said to us, “How do you solve this sum ?” 5. She said to me, “How are you getting on with your studies ?” 6. I said to my friend, “Have you been to England ?”

Convert the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. She said to me, “Who taught you English ?” 2. He said to his mother, “Why did you not wash my school dress ?” 3. The mother said to the child, “Did you have your breakfast ?” 4. Anil said to his sister, “How did you fare in the interview ?” 5. The policeman asked me, “Had the thief stolen your watch ?” Answers: I. 1. He asked her if she wanted to go home. 2. He asked you where you were going. 3. I asked him what brought him there. 4. You asked us how we solved that sum. 5. She asked me how I was getting on with my studies. 6. I asked my friend if he had been to England.

II. 1. She asked me who had taught me English. 2. He asked his mother why tehe had not washed his school dress. 3. The mother asked the child if he had his breakfast. 4. Anil asked his sister how she had fared in the interview. 5. The policeman asked me if the thief had stolen my watch.

Exercise 2 (Solved)

Change the following into indirect speech : 1. He said to me, “I have often told you not to play with me.” 2. They wrote, “It is time we thought about settling this matter.” 3. The teacher promised. “If you come to school tomorrow, I will explain it.” 4. “What do you want ?” he said to her. 5. He said, “How’s your father ?” 6. “Don’t you know the way home ?” asked I. 7. “Do you really come from China ?” said the prince. 8. “Sit down, boys,” said the teacher. 9. “Run away, children,” said the mother. Answers: 1. He told me that he had often told me not to play with him. 2. They wrote that it was time they thought about settling the matter. 3. The teacher promised to me that he would explain it if I went to school the following day. 4. He asked her what she wanted. 5. He enquired about my father. 6. I asked if he did not know the way home. 7. The Prince asked him if he really came from China. 8. The teacher asked the boys to sit down. 9. The mother asked the children to run away.

Exercise 3 (Solved)

The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the error along with the correction. Do not forget to underline the error. Her mother said that you must go straight to (a) your grandmother. There was a wolf (b) _______ in the wood through which she are (c) _______ going. But if she keep the road, he (d) _______ will not do any harm. The mother (e) _______ asked her to do as she tells her. (f) _______ Answers: (a) you—she (b) your—her (c) are—was (d) keep—kept (e) will—would (f) tells—had told

Exercise 4 (For Practice)

Police told Maninder that he is entitled (a) _______ to have a solicitor present. He denies (b) _______ that he knows anyone by the name of (c) _______ Surinder. Maninder confirmed that he has been (d) _______ in the vicinity of the factory last Monday. (e) _______ However, he said that he is visiting his mother. (f) _______ He maintains that he is innocent. (g) _______

Exercise 5 (For Practice)

Exercise 6 (For Practice)

Each of the pair of sentences given below is a dialogue between a man and a woman. Change each pair into one simple sentence. Complete the answers. The first one has been done as an example. Question 1. “Shall we get married ?” “Yes, let us.” Answer: They decided to get married.

Question 2. “Please help me”. “O.K.” Answer: She agreed

Question 3. “May I help you ?” “No, thanks.” Answer: He offered

Question 4. “Let’s meet after the class.” “O.K. fine.” Answer: They arranged

Question 5. “What’s your name ?” “I won’t tell you”. Answer: She refused

Question 6. “I have stood first.” “Congratulations”. Answer: She congratulated

Multiple Choice Questions Exercise 1

Read the dialogues given below and then complete the report by choosing the correct options from the ones given below the dialogue : 1. Judge: Why don’t you speak the truth ? Witness: I have spoken only the truth. Judge: Were you really present at the scene ? Witness: Yes, sir.

The judge asked the witness (a) ……… the truth. The witness replied that (b) ……….. only the truth. At this the judge asked (c) ………….. at the scene. The witness replied in positive. (a) (i)why don’t you speak (ii) why didn’t he speak (iii) why you didn’t speak (iv) why he did not speak

(b) (i) he had spoken (ii) I have spoken (iii) I had spoken (iv) he has spoken

(c) (i) if you are really present (ii) that you were really present (iii) if he was really present (iv) that he was really present

2. Mother: What is the matter ? Son: Grandfather has shot a policeman. Mother: Why ? Son: He was a deserter. Mother asked the son (a) ………… The son replied (b) …………. a policeman. The mother demanded (c) ………… To this the son replied that he was a deserter. (a) (i) that what is the matter (ii) what is the matter (iii) what the matter was (iv) if what was the matter

(b) (i) that the grandfather has shot (ii) that Grandfather had shot (iii) if grandfather had shot (iv) why Grandfather had shot

(c) (i) why (ii) why Grandfather has shot (iii) that why grandfather had shot (iv) why Grandfather had shot

3. Merchant: How much have you collected ? Accountant: Twenty thousand in cash and the balance on paper. Merchant: Where have you deposited the cash ? The Merchant asked the accountant (a) …………. collected. The accountant replied (b) …………. and the balance on paper. Then the merchant wanted to know (c) …………. . (a) (i) how much you have (ii) how much have you (iii) how much had he (iv) how much he had

(b)(i) that I have collected twenty thousand in cash (ii) that he has collected twenty thousand in cash (iii) that he had collected twenty thousand in cash (iv) he had collected twenty thousand in cash

(c)(i) where have you deposited the cash (ii) where he had deposited the cash (iii) where had he deposited the cash (iv) where the cash had been deposited

4. Son: How are you feeling now? Father: Much better, son. Son: Are you taking the medicines regularly? Father: Yes, my dear. The son asked his father (a) …………. then. The father replied that (b) …………. much better. The son further asked (c) …………. the medicines regularly. The father replied in affirmative. (a) (i) that how he was feeling (ii) how he was feeling (iii) how you are feeling (iv) how was he feeling

(b) (i) I am feeling (ii) I was feeling (iii) he is feeling (iv) he was feeling

(c) (i) if you are taking (ii) if he is taking (iii) that he was taking (iv) if he was taking

5. Ram: Do you shave every day? Mohan: Yes. Don’t you? Ram: No. I shave only once a week Ram asked Mohan (a) …………. everyday. Mohan replied in positive and asked (b) …………. the same. Ram agreed that he didn’t and said (c) …………. only once a week. (a) (i) do you shave (ii) did he shave (iii) if he shaved (iv) that if he shaved

(b) (i) don’t you (ii) you don’t (iii) if you don’t (iv) if he didn’t

(c) (i) I shave (ii) that he shaved (iii) if he shaved (iv) if I shaved

6. Sue: What is it dear? Johnsy: The leaves. Sue: Are you counting the leaves? Johnsy: Yes. Sue asked Johnsy (a) …………. Johnsy replied that (b) …………. Sue further asked (c) …………. the leaves. Johnsy replied in positive. (a) (i) what it is (ii) what is it (iii) what is was (iv) what was it

(b) (i) that it was the leaves (ii) it is leaves (iii) that it are leaves (iv) that it had leaves

(c) (i) are you counting (ii) that she was counting (iii) was she counting (iv) if she was counting Answers: 1. (a) (iv) why he did not speak (b) (i) he had spoken (c)(iii) if he was really present 2. (a) (iii) what the matter was (b)(ii) that Grandfather had shot (c) (iv) why Grandfather had shot 3. (a) (iv) how much he had (b) (iii) that he had collected twenty thousand in cash (c) (ii) where he had deposited the cash 4. (a) (ii) how he was feeling (b) (iv) he was feeling (c) (iv) if he was taking 5. (a) (iii) if he shaved (b) (iv) if he didn’t (c) (ii) that he shaved 6. (a) (iii) what is was (b)(i) that it was the leaves (c) (iv) if she was counting

We hope the CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech help you. If you have any query regarding CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

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Reported Speech Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers

Reported speech is when we express or say things that have already been said by somebody else.

Looking for an easy way to Learning of new elementary english grammar and composition for class 8 answers, Solutions. You have to learn basic  English Grammar  topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc… In this article, we will review the best English Grammer Topics and compare them against each other.

Reported Speech Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers Pdf

When we say things that have been said, we use two ways of expressing it. The first is direct speech when we express what the speaker said as it is and the second is indirect speech where we express what was said in our words.

How do we use reported speech?

Reporting Questions We use a special form when we report questions:

WH – Questions : Where is + Tom’s house? He asked where Tom’s house + was. Where does Tom live? He asked where Tom lived,

Yes/No Questions: Does Tom live in Miami? She asked if Tom lived in Miami. Is Tom happy? She asked if Tom was happy.

Say vs. Tell Say something June : “I love English.” June said (that) she loved English.

Tell someone something June: “I love English.” June told me (that) she loved English.

Modal Verbs and Reported Speech Must, might, could, would, should, and ought to stay the same in reported speech. We usually change may to might.

Reported Requests There’s more! What if someone asks you to do something (in a polite way)?

For example:

• Direct speech: close the window, please
• Or: Could you close the window please?
• Or: Would you mind closing the window please?

All of these requests mean the same thing, so we don’t need to report every word when we tell another person about it. We simply use ‘ask me + to + infinitive’:

• Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
• Here are a few more examples:

Reported Orders And finally, how about if someone doesn’t ask so politely? We can call this an ‘order’ in English, when someone tells you very directly to do something.

• Direct speech: Sit down! In fact, we make this into reported speech in the same way as a request. We just use ‘tell’ instead of ‘ask’:

Changes in words showing proximity (time and place) Study the list given below to revise the changes in words showing the proximity of place and time when converting direct speech to indirect speech.

this becomes that these become those here becomes there now becomes then before becomes earlier/previously today becomes that day tomorrow becomes the next day yesterday becomes the previous day

Reported Speech Practice Exercises for Class 8 CBSE

A. Write the following sentences in indirect speech. The first one has been done for you.

1. He said, “I will meet you outside the post office at three tomorrow afternoon.” He said that he would meet me outside the post office at there the following afternoon .

2. The teacher told us, “The freezing point of water is 0°c.” _______________________________________ 3. “When I dropped the jug, it smashed to pieces,” my little brother says. _______________________________________ 4. The man said, “I have seen you somewhere before.” _______________________________________ 5. The mechanic said, “Your car was ready last night, but you did not come to get it.” _______________________________________ 7. He said, “I shall return your magazines tomorrow.” _______________________________________ 8. “My car broke down, and I had to walk two kilometers to get to a phone-booth,” the man said. _______________________________________ 9. “An English play is being held in the school hall now,” she told us. _______________________________________ 10. “The building burnt down many years before we moved here,” my father told me. _______________________________________

B. Write the following sentences into indirect speech.

1. “Don’t leave your bag out here, Tommy,” Kiren said. _______________________________________ 2. “Stand at attention!” the captain commanded his men. _______________________________________ 3. “Don’t touch it! Leave it alone!” I said _______________________________________ 4. “Please take me to the park, Father,” the little boy said. _______________________________________ 5. “Please tell me exactly what happened,” she said. _______________________________________ 6. “Speak up. I can’t hear you,” he said to the new boy. _______________________________________ 7. “Don’t shake the table while I am writing!” Pawan told his brother. _______________________________________ 8. “Please bring your own plates and spoons,” she told us. _______________________________________ 9. “Return to the ship immediately!” the officer ordered his men. _______________________________________ 10. “Open that drawer and bring me the scissors,” Deepak told his brother. _______________________________________

C. Write the following sentences in indirect speech.

1. “The Prince and Princess lived happily ever after,” the storyteller told the children. _______________________________________ 2. “Don’t push!” the conductor said to the passengers who were boarding the bus. _______________________________________ 3. “I’m sorry but I can’t join you for lunch,” he told his friend. _______________________________________ 4. “Do the exercises from pages sixty to sixty-two,” Miss Malhotra told the pupils. _______________________________________ 5. “Do you know how to operate a computer?” asked the personnel officer. _______________________________________ 6. “Help! Help! Help!” I heard someone shout. _______________________________________ 7. “Are you mad at me?” asked the elder sister. _______________________________________ 8. The cheerleaders shouted, “Hurray! Fight them! Show them all your might!” _______________________________________ 9. “Keep the change,” the rich man said to the waitress. _______________________________________ 10. I said to myself, “I will definitely beat him in the next event.” _______________________________________

D. Rewrite these sentences in direct speech. The first one has been done for you.

1. My mother asked me to buy a dozen eggs from the shop. “Can you buy me a dozen eggs from the shop?” asked my mother .

2. I told myself that I would finish painting the gate by that afternoon. _______________________________________ 3. The judge asked the defendant to speak louder. _______________________________________ 4. The engineer wanted the workers to complete the project by the following day. _______________________________________ 5. Anu reported to the police about her purse being snatched. _______________________________________

E. Use past tenses, present perfect or past perfect tenses to complete the sentences.

We _____________ in Bristol from January to March. (stay) Where is my wine? Someone _____________ my wine! (drink) When you _____________ you _____________ fast? (crash, drive) I’m sorry. Dad isn’t here. He _____________ our neighbour’s flat since the morning. (decorate) What a nice coat! Where _____________ you _____________ it? (buy) At 6 o’clock he _____________ there for three hours! (sit) I want to learn French. But I _____________ yet. (not start) We didn’t want to spend our holiday in Strobl because _____________ already _____________ there. (be) What _____________ ? You are so dirty! (do) Oh, no! I _____________ my way. What shall I do? (lose) Jim _____________ the dishes after dinner. The kitchen sink is full of plates. (not wash) She _____________ three clients since the morning. (contact) I couldn’t help you. I _____________ your problems. (not understand) Does he know about it? _____________ him yet? (tell) Bill admitted that he _____________ the catalogue to the agency. (not send) As soon as I _____________ the message, I _____________ my house (get, leave) While Maggie _____________ a new Jumper, Jill and I _____________ (knit, read) Here he is! He _____________ for me all the time, he _____________ for Ann! (not look, wait) _____________ you in your room at 5.30? Yes, I think I _____________ my suitcase. (be, pack) Nice to meet you! I _____________ uyou for 10 years. What _____________ you _____________ all this time? (not see, do) He _____________ but he’ll be back home today. The doctors ____________ to cure him. (die, manage) After we _____________ to the top of hill we had a great view of the bay. (elimb) The pigeon finally delivered the news after it _____________ for the whole day. (fly)

F. In the following sentences the speakers are all saying something different to what they told you before. Write replies to their statements as given in the example. Example:

• “I’m going out with Alisha.” But you said you weren’t going out with her .

1. “I haven’t finished my project.” I thought you said ________________ 2. “I’m better at tennis than golf.” But you told me ________________ 3. “I enjoy parties.” I remember you saying ________________ 4. “I’ve got a video recorder.” But you said yesterday ________________ 5. “I’m applying for the job.” I thought you told me ________________ 6. “I like Indian food more than Chinese.” But you said ________________ 7. “I prefer pop music to classical music.” You told me ________________

G. Change the following sentence to indirect speech.

1. Our teacher said, “Time is precious, so spend your free time in the best possible way.” ________________________________________________ 2. “Ugh! This toilet is so smelly,” Rita said. ________________________________________________ 3. Chetan said, “Please buy me a bar of chocolate.” ________________________________________________ 4. “Polish your boots,” the army officer said to his men. ________________________________________________ 5. “Get me a glass of water,” he said to her. ________________________________________________ 6. “What a beautiful car!” he remarked. ________________________________________________ 7. “Please spare me some money,” the beggar said. ________________________________________________ 8. “You must listen to me!” his mother cried. ________________________________________________ 9. “Pass me that salt, please,” the man said to her. ________________________________________________ 10. “Get out or I’ll call the police!” the lady said to him. ________________________________________________

H. Change the following to reported speech by completing the sentence.

1. She asked, “Have you been here before?” She asked me if _________________ 2. “Is your sister still asleep?” my mother asked. My mother asked _________________ 3. The policeman said, “Show me your license.” The policeman demanded _________________ 4. “Shall I open the windows for you?” he asked. He asked me whether _________________ He offered to _________________ 5. “Where will you be going for your holidays?” she asked. She wanted to know _________________ 6. “When will you be visiting the hospital? I want to come along,” she said. She wanted to know _________________ 7. “Is the ship leaving on Monday or Tuesday?” She inquired. She inquired whether _________________ 8. “What’s wrong with your cheek? Have you been fighting again?” my mother asked. My mother asked what _________________ 9. “Did you learn anything interesting at the seminar?” he inquired. He inquired _________________ 10. “The purpose of this project is to encourage teamwork and inculcate a sense of belonging,” he said. He said that _________________

I. Change these sentences from Direct to Indirect Speech. Example

• “Oh!” she cried in fright on seeing him.
• “Why did you suddenly appear like this?”

She exclaimed in fright when she saw him and asked him why he had suddenly appeared like that.

1. “I am sorry,” she said to me, “but my brother won’t be back until late tonight.” ___________________________________________________ 2. The guard reported, “I heard some shots and ran out into the compound to investigate.” ___________________________________________________ 3. “When will he be back?” Sheela said. “I have something important to tell him.” ___________________________________________________ 4. “Did you go to the circus that’s performing here?” Jatin asked me. “It was a wonderful show.” ___________________________________________________ 5. “Good morning!” she said when she saw me. “How are you today? I heard you had been quite ill.” ___________________________________________________ 6. “Come here at once!” he ordered the frightened boy. “If you don’t, I shall give you a beating.” ___________________________________________________ 7. “Don’t do too much heavy work now,” the doctor advised Mrs. Birla. “Get as much rest as possible.” ___________________________________________________ 8. “Please come,” he said. “I want to show you my new fish. My father bought it yesterday.” ___________________________________________________ 9. “Are you going out now? If you are, see that you are back by ten,” my mother said to! me. ___________________________________________________ 10. “Yes, please do so,” I answered her. “I will wait here until you return.” ___________________________________________________

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• Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Understanding Direct and Indirect Speech: Exercises, Examples, and Rules

Direct and indirect speech are ways to report what someone has said. Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, while indirect speech paraphrases or summarises them. Knowing how to use both helps you accurately convey conversations and dialogue in writing. This guide covers the basics of direct and indirect speech, provides examples, and explains the rules for converting between them.

Some Interesting Facts about Direct and Indirect Speech

What is Direct and Indirect Speech?

The distinction between Direct and Indirect Speech may be confusing for some students. Often when we need to explain an incident or action, it involves quoting what someone said. A social situation, as well as a work email or presentation, are examples of such instances. There are two forms of Speech used to explain what other people say: Direct Speech and Indirect Speech (or reported Speech).

Direct Speech

The same words spoken are quoted in Indirect Speech. If we use Direct Speech in writing, we bring the words spoken between quotation marks (" ") and leave them alone. We may be reporting something that is being said (for example, a phone conversation) or asking someone about a previous conversation later.

Nirmal said, "There's a dog outside the window."

Mahima says, "What time will you be home?"

Supriya said, "I don't know!"

Indirect Speech

When we use reported or Indirect Speech to speak about the past, we generally change the tense of the words we say. We use reporting verbs like 'say,' 'tell,' and 'ask,' and we can introduce the reported words with the word 'that.' There are no inverted commas in this sentence.

For Example,

Mahima said that she had seen him.

Nirmal said he was looking forward to playing in the match on Saturday.

Direct and Indirect Speech

Children often mix up Direct and Indirect Speech. We need a way to say the difference between what someone claimed to have said and what they said when we're writing. What did she say if you asked her? You may respond in one of two ways:

“I don’t like pizza,” Siddi said. (Direct Speech)

Siddi says she doesn’t like pizza. (Indirect Speech)

Note how Speech marks (“...”) are used in Direct Speech to indicate precisely what was said. Speech labels are located at the beginning and end of the actual words spoken. The words 'Siddi said' are not in Speech marks because they were not spoken aloud; rather, they are a way for the writer to express who was speaking to the reader.

The past tense is often used in reported Speech . This is because the words have already been spoken, and the writer is simply reporting on what has already been saying. It's critical to think about what was said and convert it to the past tense.

Direct and Indirect Narration Rules

Following are the steps to convert the Direct/Indirect Speech and also let’s discuss Direct and Indirect Speech tenses rules in detail.

Step 1: Write down the reporting verb that is used to determine the Indirect Speech's tense.

Step 2: Change the position and time to reflect the speaker's actual location and time.

Step 3: For both the object and the subject, use the correct pronoun.

Step 4: Make sure the sentence has the correct structure and word order.

Now we'll go through each of these measures in greater depth.

Step 1: Choosing the Verb's Tense and Conversion

Case 1: Nirmal said, ‘I go to the gym every day.

Case 2: Nirmal says, ‘I go to the gym every day.’

The verb ‘say' is used in both of the instances above to express the action of speaking. In addition, the reporting verb say is used in the past tense in the first case – said. In case 2, however, the reporting verb is in the present tense.

As a consequence, all verbs must be in the relevant past tense here. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, this is often followed. Thus, Nirmal said, ‘I go to the class every day will change to Nirmal said that he went to the gym every day.

The second rule is that the tense is not changed whether the reporting verb is in the future or present tense. So, Nirmal says, ‘I go to the class every day will be changed to Nirmal says that he goes to the class every day.

Step 2: Changes are Made to the Word That Communicates Place, Time, and Connection.

The time or place specified in the sentence should be changed to match the current time or position.

On 21st, May 2015 : ‘I will come tomorrow,’ Sriram said.

On 21st, May 2015 , Sriram said that he would come the next day.

Step 3: The Subject and Object Pronouns are Chosen Separately.

Case 1: Saurav will say to his friends, “I have started learning psychology” will change to Saurav will tell his friends that he has started learning psychology .

In this case, the speaker and the reporter are the same people. As a consequence, the pronoun should be the first person pronoun.

Case 2: Ma’am said to me, “I hope you will bring the geometry to my next class” will change to Ma’am hoped that I would bring the geometry to her next class.

The speaker is ma'am, and the reporter is the student. As a consequence, the ma'am pronoun should be in the third person. The reporter's pronoun should also be in the first person.

Remember that we do not change the tense of the reporting verb within the quotation marks when it is in the present or future tense.

Direct Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

Here are some exercises on Direct and Indirect Speech along with their answers:

Exercise 1: Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech

Direct: She said, "I am going to the market."

Direct: He asked, "Do you want some coffee?"

Direct: "I have finished my assignment," John said.

Direct: The teacher said, "Please submit your homework by tomorrow."

Direct: "Where did you go last weekend?" she asked.

Indirect: She said that she was going to the market.

Indirect: He asked if I wanted some coffee.

Indirect: John said that he had finished his assignment.

Indirect: The teacher requested that we submit our homework by the next day.

Indirect: She asked where I had gone the previous weekend.

Exercise 2: Convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech

Indirect: He said that he would join us for dinner.

Indirect: She asked if I could help her with the project.

Indirect: They mentioned that they had seen the movie already.

Indirect: The doctor advised that I should take some rest.

Indirect: She inquired where the nearest station was.

Direct : He said, "I will join you for dinner."

Direct : She asked, "Can you help me with the project?"

Direct : They mentioned, "We have seen the movie already."

Direct : The doctor advised, "You should take some rest."

Direct : She inquired, "Where is the nearest station?"

These exercises and answers should help you practice converting between Direct and Indirect Speech effectively.

Narration Exercise with Answers

Here are some narration change exercises from Direct to Indirect Speech and vice versa. Each exercise includes sentences to be converted between the two forms.

Exercise 1: Direct to Indirect Speech

Direct: She said, "I am studying for my exams."

Direct: He said, "I will call you tomorrow."

Direct: "Where have you been?" she asked him.

Direct: They said, "We have finished our homework."

Direct: The teacher asked, "Have you completed your project?"

Indirect : She said that she was studying for her exams.

Indirect : He said that he would call me the next day.

Indirect : She asked him where he had been.

Indirect : They said that they had finished their homework.

Indirect : The teacher asked if I had completed my project.

Exercise 2: Indirect to Direct Speech

Indirect: She said that she was going to the library .

Indirect: He mentioned that he would be late for the meeting.

Indirect: She asked him where he had been.

Indirect: They said that they had already completed their homework.

Indirect: The teacher inquired if the students had finished their project.

Direct : She said, "I am going to the library."

Direct: He said, "I will be late for the meeting."

Direct : She asked, "Where have you been?"

Direct : They said, "We have already completed our homework."

Direct : The teacher asked, "Have you finished your project?"

Some More Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises:

Direct: She said, "I cannot attend the meeting today."

Direct: "Will you be available for a call later?" he asked.

Direct: "I need to finish my report by this evening," Alice said.

Direct: The coach said, "Run five laps around the field."

Direct: "Did you see the new movie?" he asked her.

Direct: Jessica said, "I am excited about the concert next month ."

Direct: "Please remember to lock the door when you leave," he said.

Direct: The manager said, "Submit your expense reports by Friday."

Direct: "What time does the train arrive?" she asked.

Direct: "I will help you with your project," he promised.

Indirect : She said that she could not attend the meeting that day.

Indirect : He asked if I would be available for a call later.

Indirect : Alice said that she needed to finish her report by that evening.

Indirect : The coach instructed us to run five laps around the field.

Indirect : He asked her if she had seen the new movie.

Indirect : Jessica said that she was excited about the concert the following month.

Indirect : He requested that I remember to lock the door when I left.

Indirect : The manager said to submit our expense reports by Friday.

Indirect : She asked what time the train arrived.

Indirect : He promised that he would help me with my project.

Indirect: She mentioned that she was planning a surprise party.

Indirect: He asked whether I had completed the assignment.

Indirect: They said they would visit us during the summer.

Indirect: The professor explained that the test would cover three chapters.

Indirect: She said that she had been studying all night.

Indirect: The waiter asked if we were ready to order.

Indirect: He said that he was feeling much better.

Indirect: They inquired if I wanted to join them for lunch.

Indirect: The child said that he had lost his toy.

Indirect: She suggested that we should meet for coffee next week.

Direct : She said, "I am planning a surprise party."

Direct : He asked, "Have you completed the assignment?"

Direct : They said, "We will visit you during the summer."

Direct : The professor explained, "The test will cover three chapters."

Direct : She said, "I have been studying all night."

Direct : The waiter asked, "Are you ready to order?"

Direct : He said, "I am feeling much better."

Direct : They asked, "Do you want to join us for lunch?"

Direct : The child said, "I have lost my toy."

Direct : She suggested, "We should meet for coffee next week."

These exercises offer further practice in converting between Direct and Indirect Speech.

Check your Knowledge of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct: "I will finish the project by Friday," he said.

Direct: She asked, "Have you completed your preparations?"

Direct: "You should see a doctor," he advised.

Direct: "Why are you late?" she inquired.

Direct: "We are going to the beach tomorrow," they said.

Direct: "Can you help me with this task?" he asked.

Direct: "I haven't seen that film yet," she said.

Direct: "Please close the window," he requested.

Direct: "Where will you be next week?" she asked.

Direct: "I am taking a break," he said.

Indirect : He said that he would finish the project by Friday.

Indirect : She asked if I had completed my preparations.

Indirect : He advised that I should see a doctor.

Indirect : She inquired why I was late.

Indirect : They said that they were going to the beach the next day.

Indirect : He asked if I could help him with that task.

Indirect : She said that she had not seen that film yet.

Indirect : He requested that I close the window.

Indirect : She asked where I would be the following week.

Indirect : He said that he was taking a break.

Takeaways from the Page

Direct Speech quotes exactly what someone said, using quotation marks around their words. Tenses and punctuation stay the same as in the original speech.

Indirect Speech reports what someone said without quoting their exact words. It doesn’t use quotation marks and often changes pronouns and tenses to fit the context.

Changing Direct to Indirect : Replace the quotation marks with reporting verbs like "said" or "asked," adjust tenses, and modify pronouns.

Changing Indirect to Direct : Use quotation marks and restore the exact wording and punctuation. Adjust pronouns and tenses to reflect the original speech.

When to Use : Use Direct Speech to quote exactly or show dialogue. Use Indirect Speech to summarize or integrate what was said into your text.

Practice : Regularly converting between Direct and Indirect Speech helps you get better at reporting speech accurately.

FAQs on Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

1. What are Direct and Indirect Speech exercises?

Direct and Indirect Speech exercises involve converting sentences from one form to another. These exercises help practice how to report speech accurately by changing the format while preserving the meaning.

2. Why are Direct and Indirect Speech exercises important?

These exercises are important for mastering how to quote someone's words exactly or report what was said without quoting directly. They help in improving clarity and accuracy in communication.

3. How do you convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech?

To convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech, replace quotation marks with reporting verbs, adjust tenses and pronouns, and remove the quotation marks.

4. How do you convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech?

To convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech, restore the exact wording within quotation marks, adjust pronouns and tenses to match the original context, and include appropriate punctuation.

5. Can you provide an example of a Direct to Indirect Speech exercise?

Direct to Indirect Speech example.

Convert: "I am going to the market," she said. 

Answer: She said that she was going to the market.

6. Can you provide an example of an Indirect to Direct Speech exercise?

Indirect to Direct Speech example.

Convert: She said that she was going to the market. 

Answer: "I am going to the market," she said.

7. What is a narration change exercise?

A narration change exercise involves converting sentences between Direct and Indirect Speech to practice reporting and quoting speech accurately.

8. How can I practice narration exercises effectively?

To practice effectively, regularly complete exercises, check your answers against correct conversions, and understand the rules for changing between Direct and Indirect Speech.

9. What are some common mistakes in narration exercises?

Common mistakes include incorrect tense shifts, wrong pronoun changes, and improper use of punctuation. Make sure to follow the rules for each form to avoid these errors.

10. How do narration exercises improve language skills?

Narration exercises enhance language skills by helping you understand how to report and quote speech accurately, improving both writing and comprehension abilities.

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English Grammar Lessons And Worksheets

• Class 8 worksheets

Direct And Indirect Speech Worksheet For Class 8 CBSE

by Manjusha Nambiar · October 4, 2022

Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into the indirect speech/ indirect speech.

1. ‘Do you know Rahul?’ Preeti asked.

2. ‘You should get that mole examined,’ said the doctor.

3. ‘It is time you went to bed,’ mother told her daughter.

4. ‘I have failed my test,’ the boy said.

5. ‘Do you know any shops where they sell carpets?’ the tourist asked the man.

6. ‘What were you doing in the morning?’ mother said to me.

7. ‘Does anyone know the answer?’ the teacher asked the students.

8. ‘We can’t wait any longer,’ he told us.

9. ‘You won’t get another chance.’ He said to me.

10. ‘Will you leave me alone?’ she asked me.

1. Preeti asked if I knew Rahul.

2. The doctor said that I should get that mole examined.

3. Mother told her daughter that it was time she went to bed.

4. The boy lamented that he had failed his test.

5. The tourist asked the man if/whether he knew any shops where they sold carpets.

6. Mother asked me what I was doing in the morning.

7. The teacher asked the students if / whether anyone knew the answer.

8. He told us that we couldn’t wait any longer.

9. He told me that I wouldn’t get another chance.

10. She asked me if I would leave her alone.

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• Direct And Indirect Speech Exercise For Class 8
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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet

Table of Contents

Access and download a complimentary PDF of CBSE Class 8 English Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet. Obtain printable English Class 8 Worksheets in PDF format. This worksheet aligns with the most recent syllabus and exam format provided by CBSE , NCERT, and KVS. Additionally, access free PDFs of English Class 8 Assignments to practice regularly, enhancing your performance in tests and exams. Class 8 teachers have developed these chapter-wise worksheets with answers, adhering to the latest examination structure.

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Target Exam ---

Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheets Exercise

Direct Speech: “I love ice cream,” said Sarah. Indirect Speech: Sarah said that she loved ice cream.

Direct Speech: “I will finish my homework,” Tom promised. Indirect Speech: Tom promised that he would finish his homework.

Direct Speech: “I am going to the park,” exclaimed Lily. Indirect Speech: Lily exclaimed that she was going to the park.

Direct Speech: “I can swim,” bragged Jack. Indirect Speech: Jack bragged that he could swim.

Direct Speech: “I have a pet dog,” stated Emily. Indirect Speech: Emily stated that she had a pet dog.

Direct Speech: “I want to play outside,” pleaded Timmy. Indirect Speech: Timmy pleaded that he wanted to play outside.

Direct Speech: “I saw a shooting star last night,” exclaimed Anna excitedly. Indirect Speech: Anna excitedly exclaimed that she had seen a shooting star the previous night.

Direct Speech: “I will help you with your project,” offered Mike. Indirect Speech: Mike offered to help with the project.

Direct Speech: “I am tired,” complained Lucy. Indirect Speech: Lucy complained that she was tired.

Direct Speech: “I can’t wait for the party,” said David eagerly. Indirect Speech: David eagerly said that he couldn’t wait for the party.

Bonus: Rewrite the following indirect speech sentences as direct speech sentences.

Indirect Speech: She said that she was reading a book. Direct Speech: “I am reading a book,” she said.

Indirect Speech: He mentioned that he had visited Paris. Direct Speech: “I have visited Paris,” he mentioned.

Indirect Speech: They explained that they were going on vacation. Direct Speech: “We are going on vacation,” they explained.

Indirect Speech: She told me that she liked chocolate ice cream. Direct Speech: “I like chocolate ice cream,” she told me.

Indirect Speech: He admitted that he had made a mistake. Direct Speech: “I have made a mistake,” he admitted.

Answer Key:

• Sarah said that she loved ice cream.
• Tom promised that he would finish his homework.
• Lily exclaimed that she was going to the park.
• Jack bragged that he could swim.
• Emily stated that she had a pet dog.
• Timmy pleaded that he wanted to play outside.
• Anna excitedly exclaimed that she had seen a shooting star the previous night.
• Mike offered to help with the project.
• Lucy complained that she was tired.
• David eagerly said that he couldn’t wait for the party.

Direct Speech Worksheets Exercise

Original Sentence: She said, “I love ice cream.”

Direct Speech: “I love ice cream,” she said.

• Original Sentence: He told me, “I am going to the park.”
• Original Sentence: She asked, “What time is the movie?”
• Original Sentence: They shouted, “Happy birthday!”
• Original Sentence: The teacher said, “Please sit down quietly.”
• Original Sentence: He exclaimed, “I can’t believe it!”
• Original Sentence: She whispered, “I have a secret.”
• Original Sentence: They cried, “Help us!”
• Original Sentence: He said, “I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”
• Original Sentence: She laughed, “That joke is so funny!”
• Original Sentence: They shouted, “We won the game!”
• “I am going to the park,” he told me.
• “What time is the movie?” she asked.
• “Happy birthday!” they shouted.
• “Please sit down quietly,” the teacher said.
• “I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed.
• “I have a secret,” she whispered.
• “Help us!” they cried.
• “I want to be a doctor when I grow up,” he said.
• “That joke is so funny!” she laughed.
• “We won the game!” they shouted.

Indirect Speech Worksheets Exercise

Directions: Read the following sentences and rewrite them in indirect speech.

Example: Direct Speech: “I love chocolate,” said Sarah. Indirect Speech: Sarah said that she loved chocolate.

• Direct Speech: “I am going to the park,” said Tom. Indirect Speech: Tom said that he was going to the park.
• Direct Speech: “She sings beautifully,” said John. Indirect Speech: John said that she sang beautifully.
• Direct Speech: “We have completed our homework,” said the students. Indirect Speech: The students said that they had completed their homework.
• Direct Speech: “They are watching a movie,” said Emily. Indirect Speech: Emily said that they were watching a movie.
• Direct Speech: “He will arrive at 5 o’clock,” said the teacher. Indirect Speech: The teacher said that he would arrive at 5 o’clock.
• Direct Speech: “I can swim very well,” said Peter. Indirect Speech: Peter said that he could swim very well.
• Direct Speech: “She likes to read books,” said Jack. Indirect Speech: Jack said that she liked to read books.
• Direct Speech: “We are going to the beach tomorrow,” said Lily. Indirect Speech: Lily said that they were going to the beach the next day.
• Direct Speech: “I have lost my keys,” said David. Indirect Speech: David said that he had lost his keys.
• Direct Speech: “I want to learn how to play the guitar,” said Tina. Indirect Speech: Tina said that she wanted to learn how to play the guitar.
• Tom said that he was going to the park.
• John said that she sang beautifully.
• The students said that they had completed their homework.
• Emily said that they were watching a movie.
• The teacher said that he would arrive at 5 o’clock.
• Peter said that he could swim very well.
• Jack said that she liked to read books.
• Lily said that they were going to the beach the next day.
• David said that he had lost his keys.
• Tina said that she wanted to learn how to play the guitar.

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• Class 8 NCERT Solutions
• Direct And Indirect Speech Worksheet For Class 8 CBSE

by Manjusha · Published March 6, 2022 · Updated April 30, 2024

Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into indirect speech.

1. ‘I have lost my phone,’ said Rani.

2. ‘Do you know who I am?’ she asked me.

3. ‘I would like a cup of coffee,’ the woman said.

4. ‘Can I talk to the manager?’ the girl asked the receptionist.

5. ‘I want to get this document translated into Spanish,’ she said.

6. ‘I met with an accident in the morning,’ he said to his manager.

7. ‘The soup is too salty,’ the boy said.

8. ‘Have you seen my key?’ Rahim said to his mother.

9. ‘I have read that novel,’ she said.

10. ‘Where is my bag?’ she asked.

11. ‘You will pay for your action,’ she said.

12. ‘We do not permit smoking in the house,’ they said.

1. Rani said that she had lost her phone.

2. She asked me if / whether I knew who she was.

3. The woman said that she would like a cup of coffee.

4. The girl asked the receptionist if she could talk to the manager.

5. She said that she wanted to get that document translated into Spanish.

6. He told his manager that he had met with an accident that morning.

7. The boy complained that the soup was too salty.

8. Rahim asked his mother if she had seen his key.

9. She said that she had read t hat novel.

10. She asked where her bag was.

11. She threatened me that I would pay for my action.

12. They said that they do not / did not permit smoking in the house.

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Reported Speech for Class 8 English Grammar

by Meenu Saini | Jun 7, 2024 | General | 0 comments

Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech (Direct and Indirect) Exercise with Answer

Reported Speech   – Reported speech refers to recording the speaker’s speech, whether it is done directly by recording the speaker’s words or indirectly by recording the speaker’s words but changing them.

For example Shyam said, “Taj Mahal was built by Shahjahan.” Shyam said is the reporting verb. “Taj Mahal was built by Shahjahan.” is the reported speech.

Direct Speech

It refers to reporting the exact words spoken by the speaker. There is no change in the verb or the sentence.

Rules of Direct Speech  

• Speech should be opened with quotations or inverted commas. 
• The word said is used to connect two sentences. 
• Reporting clause should be used at the end of the sentence. 
• At the end of the sentence full stop should be placed.

Let us look at some examples

• Neha said, “Roger Federer has won the match against Rafael Nadal.”
• Shivani says, “I am having my lunch.”

Indirect Speech

It is the speech that tells what someone has said but it does not explain the actual words spoken by the person. It just conveys the basic narration of what is being said to the third person.

Rules of Indirect Speech 

• Past tense is used when the situation is uncertain. 
• The present tense of the sentence is changed to the past tense in indirect speech. 
• Universal facts tense remains the same. 
• The use of the word “that” connects the reported verb and reported speech.
• Gargi said that she enjoyed watching the movie Avatar.
• Shiva says that he is eating an apple.

Changing direct speech into reported speech

Change of Pronouns

Change in Tenses

Change of Adverbs of Place and Adverbs of Time

Change of Modal Verbs

Let us look at some examples using comic strips-

Exercise on Reported Speech (Practice Questions)

Convert the following sentences into reported speech.

• Mohini said to her mother, “The ladies have been making pickles for 10 years.”
• The teacher said to us, “Water boils at 100°C.”
• Mr Gupta said, “All the flights are delayed due to heavy rains.”
• Radhika asked me, “When are you leaving?”
• She said, “He likes Mughlai food.”
• He said, “Her dress is ready.”
• Dronacharya said to Arjun, “Shoot the fish’s eye.”
• He said to her, “You are an understanding person.”
• The teacher said to Shelly, “Why are you laughing?”
• Rashi told him, “Your bag is new.”
• Meera said, “I’m reading a comic.”
• The old man said to the sailor, “The sea will be rough according to the weather forecast.”
• My father said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
• Rita told her, “Your friend likes you.”
• “Call the ambulance,” said the woman.
• The chef said to the helper, “Chop the vegetables quickly.”
• Robert said to me, “I shall do my homework.”
• The student said to the librarian, “Please allow me to go to the library.”
• Grandma said to Kishore, “Avoid drinking chilled water as it will further harm your sore throat.”
• He said to her, “Go there.”
• Mohini told her mother that the ladies had been making pickle for 10 years.
• The teacher told us that water boils at 100°C.
• Mr Gupta said that all the flights were delayed due to heavy rains.
• Radhika asked me when I was leaving.
• She said that he liked Mughlai food.
• He said that her dress was ready.
• Dronacharya ordered Arjun to shoot the fish’s eye.
• He told her that she was an understanding person.
• The teacher asked Shelly why she was laughing.
• Rashi told him that his bag was new.
• Mera said that she was reading a comic.
• The old man informed the sailor that the sea would be rough according to the weather forecast.
• My father requested me to wait there till he returned.
• Rita told her that her friend liked her.
• The woman urged to call the ambulance.
• The chef ordered the helper to chop the vegetables quickly.
• Robert said to me that he would do his homework.
• The student requested the librarian to allow him to go to the library.
• Grandma advised Kishore to avoid drinking chilled water as it would further harm his sore throat.
• He ordered her to go there.

Convert the dialogue in the comic strip into indirect speech-

Answers –

B Convert the following paragraph into reported speech.

• Mother said to Rahul, ”Drive slow”. He replied, “I always drive slow.” Handing over a packed lunch she said, “Keep me updated about your whereabouts.” Raghav hugged her goodbye and took off for Manali.

Ans. Mother said to Rahul to drive slow. He replied that he always drives slow. Mother gave him a packed lunch and asked him to keep her updated about his whereabouts. Raghav hugged her goodbye and took off for Manali.

• “Do you want to know something cool?” Preeti asked Rama. Rama said, “Why not.” Preeti said, “Did you know “strengths” is the longest word in the English language with one vowel?” Rama seemed surprised. Preeti said, “According to the Guinness Book of World Records, “strengths” is the longest word in the English language with one vowel. The word contains nine letters, eight of them being consonants.” 

Ans Preeti asked Rama if she wanted to know something cool. Rama replied that why not. Preeti asked her whether she knew that “strengths” is the longest word in the English language with one vowel. Rama seemed surprised. Preeti said that according to the Guinness Book of World Records, “strengths” is the longest word in the English language with one vowel. The word contains nine letters, eight of them being consonants.

• She said, “You should eat your vegetables.” Raghav replied, “I don’t like brinjal, I want to have fries.” His mother said, “If you’ll have your vegetables throughout the week, then I will treat you with fries on the weekend.”

Ans She said to Raghav that he should eat his vegetables. Raghav replied that he did not like brinjal, he wanted to have fries. His mother told him that if he’d have his vegetables throughout the week then she would treat him with fries on the weekend.

• Robert asked Paul, “Are you a potterhead?” Paul excitedly replied, “Yes, a big one!” Robert asked, “Did you know actor Daniel Radcliffe went through nearly 70 wands and 160 pairs of glasses during the making of the Harry Potter films?” Paul was amazed to know this.

Ans Robert asked Paul whether he was a potterhead. Paul excitedly replied that he was a big one. Robert asked whether he knew that actor Daniel Radcliffe went through nearly 70 wands and 160 pairs of glasses during the making of the Harry Potter films. Paul was amazed to know this.

• Vinay said, “Good afternoon, sir! May I come in?” His boss replied, “Yes Vinay, please come in.” Vinay said, “Actually, I wanted to speak to you about something, so do let me know when you are free!”  his boss said, ”Yes, Vinay please have a seat. What do you have to say, please do tell me!”

Ans Vinay wished good afternoon to his boss and asked whether he could come in. His boss said yes and requested him to go in. Vinay said that he actually wanted to speak to him about something so could he please let him know when he was free. His boss replied yes and asked him to have a seat and to tell him what he had to say.

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Reported Speech Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers

July 29, 2021 by Prasanna

When we want to tell somebody else what another person said, we can use either direct speech and reported speech.

When we use direct speech, we use the same words but use quotation marks, For example: Scott said, “I am coming to work. I will be late because there is a lot of traffic now.”

When we use reported speech, we usually change the verbs, specific times, and pronouns. For example: Scott said that he was coming to work. He said that he would be late because there was a lot of traffic at that time.

Reported Speech Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers Pdf

This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English  will help you to write better answers in your Class 10 exams. Because the Solutions are solved by subject matter experts.

Fundamentals: The art of reporting the words of a speaker is called Narration. It is of two types:-

• Direct Speech: We quote the actual words of the speaker in inverted commas: He said to me, “I am playing.”
• Indirect Speech: We quote the words or speech of the speaker in our own words, without inverted commas: He told me that he was playing.

In narration a sentence has two parts:-

• Reporting verb: He said to me,
• Reported speech: “I am playing.”

Rules of Changing Pronouns

• The pronoun of First Person is changed according to the subject of Reported speech.
• The pronoun of Second Person is changed according to Object
• The pronoun of Third Person is not changed at all. (The formula to change pronoun is 123/SON.) SON: S – subject, O – object, N – no change

Persons: There are three types of persons:-

• First Person (I, we, my, me, our)
• Second Person (You, your)
• Third Person (He, she, it, his, they, them etc.)

Part-I (Assertive Sentences in Present or Future)

Rules 1. If Reporting Verb is in Present or Future Tense the tense of Reported speech is not changed. 2. (” “) inverted commas are replaced with the conjunction ‘that’. 3. Say to is replaced with tell, says to with tells and said to with told.

• The boys say, “We have learnt the lesson”. The boys say that they have learnt the lesson.
• Reena will say, “I am going to America”. Reena will say that she is going to America.
• The servant says to me, “The manager will come in the evening”. The servant tells me that the manager will come in the evening.
• He has said to them, “You were playing cricket yesterday.” He has told them that they were playing cricket yesterday.

Part-II (Assertive Sentences in Past)

Rules:- 1. ‘said to’ is changed into ‘told’. 2. Use conjunction ‘that’ to connect 3. If Reporting Verb is in Past Tense the tense of the Reported Speech is changed according to the rules given below: –

• Present Indefinite changes to Past Indefinite
• Present Continuous changes to Past Continuous
• Present Perfect changes to Past Perfect
• Present Perfect.Continuous changes to Past Perfect Continuous
• Past Indefinite changes to Past Perfect
• Past Continuous changes to Past Perfect Continuous
• Will/Shall changes to Would/Should
• Can changes to Could
• May changes to Might

In Reported Speech words showing nearness changes into words showing distance:-

• This becomes That
• These becomes Those
• Now becomes Then
• Today becomes That day
• Tonight becomes That night
• Yesterday becomes The previous day
• Last night becomes The previous night
• The next day becomes The following day
• Here becomes There
• Ago becomes Before
• He said, “I am going to college today.” He said that he was going to college that day.
• Sunny said to me, “You will get good marks in this test.” Sunny told me that I would get good marks in that test.
• She said to her mother, “My teacher awarded me yesterday.” She told her mother that her teacher had awarded her the previous day.
• Rajani said to her friends, “You were shopping in the market.” Rajani told her friends that they had been shopping in the market.
• I said, “Ritu, you will learn very fast.” I told Ritu that she would learn very fast.
• “I may go to London next month,” he said. He told that he might go to London the following month.

Note: If Reported Speech has an explanation of Universal Truth, Habitual Fact or Historical Fact its Tense is not changed at all. Examples:-

• He said, “The earth moves round the sun.” He.said that the earth moves round the sun.
• She said to me, “Mohan plays with left hand.” She told me that Mohan plays with left hand.
• The teacher said to the students, “India became independent in 1947.” The teacher told the students that India became independent in 1947.

Part-III (Interrogative Sentences) Rules: 1. In Interrogative sentences said or said to of reporting verb are replaced with asked or enquired. 2. If the interrogative (question) begins with Helping Verb or Modal (is, am, are, do, does, was, were, has, have, had, will, shall, would, can, could, should, may, might, must, etc.) the inverted commas (” “) are replaced with the conjunction if or whether. 3. If the interrogative (question) begins with WH-family (Why, what, which, when, whose, who, whom, how, etc.) the inverted commas (” “) are not replaced with any conjunction at all. 4. If there are no interrogatives (questions) in indirect speech we place helping verb or modal after the subject.

• The teacher said to us, “Have you completed your home work?” The teacher asked us if we had completed our home work.
• He said to me, “Did you finish your work yesterday?” He asked me if I had finished my work the previous day.
• Rocky said, “Meena, do you want to go to Shimla?” Rocky asked Meena if she wanted to go to Shimla.
• I said to him, “Will you return tomorrow?” I asked him if he would return the next day.
• Ravi said to him, “What have you learnt?” Ravi asked him what he had learnt.
• She said, “Which train will go to Jaipur?” She enquired which train would go to Jaipur.

Interrogative Sentences in present or future:

• She says to them, “Have you taken the money?” She asks them if they have taken the money.
• He will say to me, “What can I do for you?” He will ask me what he can do for me.

Part-IV (Imperative Sentences) Rules: 1. In Imperative sentences said to is replaced with ordered, commanded, advised, suggested, proposed, persuaded, warned, etc. 2. Inverted commas (” “) are replaced with ‘to’. The first form of verb is applied after ‘to’. 3. In Negative sentences ‘said’ to is replaced with ‘forbade’ or ‘do’ is replaced with ‘not’.

• She said to me, “Work hard”. She advised me to work hard.
• I said to my friend, “Please give me your car for two hours.” I requested my friend to give me his car for two hours.
• She said to Meena, “Do not make a noise”. She forbade Meena to make a noise. (or She ordered Meena not to make a noise.)
• The general said to the soldiers, “March forward.” The general commanded the soldiers to march forward.
• Ramesh said to him, “Let me do my home work.” Ramesh requested him to let him do his home work.
• The manager said to the peon, “Let the visitors come in.” The manager ordered the peon to let the visitors come in.
• He said to me, “Let us go on picnic this Sunday”. He proposed/suggested me that we should go on a picnic that Sunday. (or He proposed me to go on a picnic that Sunday.
• He said, “Thank you, doctor.” He thanked the doctor.
• Dinkar said to me, “Beware of such politicians.” Dinkar warned me against such politicians.

PART-V (Exclamatory Sentences)

Rules: 1. Use conjunction ‘that’ to connect the speech with reporting verb. 2. Change tenses according to the rules learnt in PART-II. 3. ‘Said’ is mostly changed into ‘exclaimed’ (sometimes ‘applauded saying’) 4. Replace ‘what’ or ‘how’ with ‘very’ (sometimes ‘big’ or ‘great’). 5. Replace exclamatory words as follows: AH!, Alas!…. with sorrow; Aha!, Ha!, Hurrah! ….with joy; Oh with surprise; Pooh! ….with contempt; Sorry! with regret, Bravo! with applauded saying.

• The child said, “What a bitter medicine!” The child exclaimed that the medicine was very bitter.
• He said, “How big the train is!” He exclaimed that the train was very big.
• Vikas said, “Alas! I have lost my wallet.” Vikas exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his wallet.
• Rajani said to her friend, “Pooh! You have cheated me.” Rajani exclaimed with contempt that her friend had cheated her.
• The captain said to the players, “Bravo! You played well today.” The captain applauded his players saying that they had played well that day.

PART-VI (Optative Sentences)

Rules: 1. Such sentences indicate greeting & wishes (good morning, good noon, good day, would that, etc.), and prayer (may, may God). Therefore ‘said’ is mostly replaced with ‘wished’ or ‘prayed’. 2. In case of good bye, farewell, good night (when parting company) ‘said’ is replaced with ‘bade’. Examples:-

• He said, “Good morning uncle!” He wished his uncle good morning.
• Ranjita said, “Good bye friends!” Ranjita bade her friends good bye.
• My grandmother said to me, “May you live long.” My grandmother prayed me that I might live long.
• Montu said, “Would that I were a minister!” Montu wished that he had been a minister.

Indirect Speech of two or more sentences:

• She said to me, “I am going to the market. Do you want to go?” She told me that she was going to the market and asked if I wanted to go.
• The manager said to the clerk, “You may leave now. Don’t forget to keep these files in the file cabinet.” The manager told the clerk that he might leave then and ordered not to forget to keep those files in the file cabinet.
• The doctor said to the patient, “Why didn’t you come yesterday. You have a high fever.” The doctor asked the patient why he hadn’t come the previous day as he had a high fever was high.
• I said to Rocky, “Don’t abuse others. It is a bad habit. How will you feel if others abuse you?” I advised Rocky not to abuse others because it is a bad habit and asked how he would feel if others abused him.

Reported Speech Solved Examples Exercises for Class 8 CBSE

Question 1. Fill in the blanks (i) She looks pretty sick. I think she _____________ go to a doctor. (a) should (b) can Answer: (a) should

(ii) You’ve been driving all day. You _____________ be exhausted! (a) should (b) must Answer: (b) must

(iii) You _____________ smoke so much. It’s bad for your health. (a) can’t (b) shouldn’t Answer: (b) shouldn’t

(iv) Hey I’m lost _____________ you help me? (a) can (b) should Answer: (a) can

(v) You have such a beautiful voice. You _____________ sing for us! (a) should (b) can Answer: (a) should

(vi) I know he speaks five languages, but _____________ he speak Arabic? (a) should (b) can Answer: (b) can

(vii) That looks very expensive. It _____________ have cost a fortune! (a) should (b) must Answer: (b) must

(viii) I _____________ believe that you failed your test! (a) can’t (b) shouldn’t Answer: (a) can’t

(ix) I’m on my way. I _____________ be there in about 10 minutes. (a) should (b) can Answer: (a) should

(x) I _____________ afford that. (a) can’t (b) shouldn’t Answer: (a) can’t

Question 2. Complete the sentences. (i) Jacob: “I work in an office.” Jacob told me (that) _____________ worked in an office.

(ii) Ryan and Lucas: “We play football.” Ryan and Lucas told me (that) _____________ played football.

(iii) Victoria: “I like my cat.” Victoria told me (that) _____________ liked _____________ cat.

(iv) Henry: “Can you see me?” Henry asked me if _____________ could see

(v) Julian: “I will have to borrow your pencil.” Julian told me (that) _____________ would have to borrow

(vi) Melanie: “My father is Jamaican.” Melanie told me (that) _____________ father is Jamaican.

(vii) Emma and Doris: “Can we use your camera?” Emma and Doris asked me if _____________ could use _____________ camera.

(viii) Leah: “How is your journey?” Leah’ asked me how _____________ journey was.

(ix) Isabella and Ella: “We love our pets.” Isabella and Ella told me (that) _____________ loved _____________ pencil.

(x) Grandmother: “Please bring me a cup of my tea.” Grandmother told me to bring _____________ a cup of _____________ tea. Answer: (i) he (ii) they (iii) she, her (iv) I, him (v) he, my (vi) her (vii) they, my (viii) my (ix) they, their (x) her, her.

Question 3. Change the direct speech into reported speech. Choose the past simple of ‘ask’, ‘say’, or ‘tell: (i) “Don’t do it!” She _____________

(ii) “I’m leaving tomorrow” She _____________

(iii) “Please get me a cup of tea” She _____________

(iv) “She got married last year” She _____________

(v) “Be quick!” She _____________

(vi) “Could you explain number four, please?” She _____________

(vii) “Where do you live?” She _____________

(viii) “We went to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant” She _____________

(ix) “I’ll come and help you at twelve” She _____________

(x) “What are you doing tomorrow?” She _____________ Answer: When I used ‘said’ you can also use ‘told me’) (i) She told me to do it. (ii) She said (that) she was learning tomorrow. (the next day). (iii) She asked me to get her a cup of tea. (iv) She said (that) she got married last year. (v) She told me to be quick. (vi) She asked me to explain number four. (vii) She asked me where I lived. (viii) She said (that) they went (had been) to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant. (ix) She said (that) she would come and help me at twelve. (x) she asked me what I was doing tomorrow (the day after).

Reported Speech Practice Examples Exercises for Class 8 CBSE

Question 1. Change the direct speech into reported speech. Choose the past simple of ‘ask’, ‘say, or “tell: (i) “Don’t go!”. She _____________

(ii) “Do you work in London?” She _____________

(iii) “Could you tell me where the post office is?” She _____________

(iv) “Come here!” She _____________

(v) “I’ve never been to Wales” She _____________

(vi) “Have you ever seen ‘Lord of the Rings?” She _____________

(vii) “I don’t like mushroom” She _____________

(viii) “Don’t be silly!” She _____________

(ix) “Would you mind waiting a moment please?” She _____________

(x) “How often do you play sport?” She _____________

Question 2. Write here, that day, the day before, the next day, the week before, according to the sentences.

1. Anita (a week ago): “Tanya and I are going to a concert tomorrow.” You (today): Anita said she and Tanya were going to a concert ________ 2. Jyoti (two days ago): “I’ve only been in England since yesterday.” You (today): Jyoti said he had only been in England since ________ 3. Nitin (a week ago): “I’m meeting my friend at the airport later today.” You (today): Nitin said he was meeting his friend at the airport later ________ 4. Mohan (in the street): “I’ll see you at the coffee bar.” You (at the coffee bar): Mohan said he would see me ________ 5. Pawan (a month ago): “The festival was in the last week.” You (today): Pawan told me the festival had been ________

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• Reported Speech /

9+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises (with Answers) for Practice

• Updated on  
• May 8, 2024

Direct and indirect speech exercises: Effective communication involves accurate reporting of the words of others. Direct and indirect speech are the tools that help us achieve this. They help in communicating information with accuracy and clarity. In this blog post, you will learn about reported speech and practice exercises to master the concept of direct and indirect speech.

This Blog Includes:

What are direct speech and indirect speech, exercises 6.

Must Read: Reported Speech

Direct Speech

Direct Speech is the actual words spoken by the person. It is often enclosed within inverted commas, providing readers with deep insight into the speaker’s words.  

For example: Rohit said, “ I will attend the office tomorrow.”

In the above example, the words enclosed in the commas depict the speaker’s actual words in the sentence.

Indirect Speech

On the other hand, indirect speech includes the reporting of the words of the speaker without quoting their exact words. While changing a sentence from direct speech to indirect speech there are a few changes that need to be kept in mind while changing. These changes include changes in the pronouns, verb tense, and the removal of quotation marks.

For example: 

Direct Speech  Rohit said, “ I will attend the office tomorrow.”

Indirect Speech Rohit said that he would attend the office the next day.

In Indirect Speech, there is a change in pronoun, verb tense, and the removal of quotation marks.

Also Read: Tenses Rules: Charts, Examples, Types [PDF Available]

4 Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

We have compiled several exercises for you which will allow you to check your knowledge.

Instruction: Change the following sentences from direct to indirect speech.

• She said, “ I live in Noida”.
• He said,” I am going out”.
• Sita said,” I have done my homework.”
• Rohan said, “ I have finished”.
• They said,” We are going to the market”.
• She said, “ The concert starts at 7 pm”.
• She said,” I ate an apple.”
• They said,” We were there in the party.”
• Soham said,” Two and two makes four.”
•  Rohan said, “ I love ice cream.”

Match the following answers with the solved exercise:

• Sita said that she had done her homework.
• Rohan said that he had finished.
• They said that they were going to the market.
• She said that the concert started at 7 pm.
• She said that she had eaten an apple.
• They said that they had been there at the party.
• Soham said that two and two made four.
• Rohan said that he loved ice cream.
• She said that she lived in Noida.
• He said that he was going out.

Must Read: Subject-Verb Agreement: Definition, 12 Rules & Examples

Instruction: Change the following sentences from indirect to direct speech.

• Rohan asked me when I was leaving.
• The stranger asked Rohan where he lived.
• The teacher asked Soham why he was talking.
• The hunter ordered the group to shoot the tiger.
• The judge ordered to call the first convict.
• The women urged them to call an ambulance.
• Brut said to me he would do the work.
• My brother told me that I was wrong.
• Mr Richav requested me to wait there till he returned.
• The captain applauded Rohit, saying that he had played well.
• Rohan asked, “When are you leaving?”
• The stranger asked Rohan, “Where do you live?”
• The teacher asked Soham, “Why are you talking?”
• The hunter commanded the group, “Shoot the tiger.”
• The judge said, “Call the first convict.”
• The woman said, “Call an ambulance.”
• Brut said, “I will do the work.”
• My brother said, “You are wrong.”
• Mr. Richav said, “Please wait here till I return.”
• The captain said to Rohit, “You played well.”

Instruction: Convert the following sentences into indirect speech.

• He said, ‘The rabbits have been fed.’
• ‘It is too late to go out,’ Mary said.
• He said, ‘I am writing letters.’
• He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’
• He said that the rabbits had been fed.
• Mary said that it was too late to go out.
• He said that he was writing letters.
• He told me that he didn’t believe me.

Must Read: Figures of Speech: Types, Usage & Examples [Download PDF]

Instruction: Fill in the following blanks with the appropriate words:

• He asked me ________________ .
• She said that she ________________ .
• They wondered ________________ .
• He commanded that ________________ .
• He asked me where I was going.
• She said that she was going to the store.
• They wondered where he had gone.
• He commanded that everyone must stay quiet.

5+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Instruction: Fill in the blanks.

• She informed me that _ (she had already eaten).
• They wondered _ (when the train was arriving).
• He ordered _ (every one to remain seated).
• He asked me _ (why I was late).

Instruction : Rewrite the following dialogue using indirect speech:

Peter: “Have you seen my phone?”

Mary: “No, I haven’t. Did you check your backpack?”

Peter: “Yes, I did. I can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

Mary: “Don’t worry, I’m sure it will turn up. Maybe you left it in your car?”

Peter: “That’s possible. I’ll go and check my car.”

Instruction: Identify the following sentences whether they are Direct Speech or Indirect Speech. Write (DS) for Direct Speech and (IS) for Indirect Speech.

• “I can’t believe I won the lottery!” she exclaimed.
• He told me he was going camping next weekend.
• “Please be careful crossing the street,” the teacher warned.
• Did anyone ask why she was late?
• “I’ll call you as soon as I arrive,” he promised.

Instruction: Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech.

• “Don’t you think it’s about time you apologized?” she said, her voice laced with disappointment.
• “The movie was fantastic,” she said.
• “I will be back soon,” he promised.
• “Have you seen my keys?” she asked.

Instruction: Change the following sentences into direct speech.

• She informed me that she had already finished the task.
• He inquired if I would be interested in joining them for dinner.
• They mentioned that they might be visiting their grandparents soon.

Instruction: Match the sentences.

• Indirect: She informed me that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the event.
• a) I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to the event tonight.
• b) She mentioned she was feeling a bit under the weather.
• c) She couldn’t wait to celebrate with everyone.
• Indirect: He inquired if I had any plans for Monday.
• a) Tell me, what are you up to this Monday?
• b) Just curious, do you have anything exciting planned?
• c) I hope you’re free for some fun!

When the actual words spoken by the person are written without making any changes, they are written in quotation marks to mark them as real words spoken by the speaker. For example: Rita said, ” I love to play Table-tennis”.

When the actual words are not written in the quoted form but are expressed in the form of narrative without changing the meaning of the words spoken by the speaker. It is called indirect narration. For example: Rita said that she loved to play Table-tennis.

 The most common reporting verbs  used in indirect speech are “said,” “told,” “asked,” “explained,” “mentioned,” and “suggested.” The choice of reporting verb influences the tone and meaning of the reported speech.

Learn More About Reported Speech 

To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu .

Amanpreet Kaur

📚✨ From Classroom Chats Entered Into The Wordy World ….. Yes , If you all Remember that teacher who kept you on your toes with pop quizzes and endless homework? YEP! THAT WAS Me ! 🌟 But with the blessings of almighty and the key motivation of my husband who came across the spark of writing in me has insisted me to pave my way away from chalk dust to creative burst!💫  Being in this new world of writing I can compose pun-tastic content, poetry full of emotions and humorous articles that can even make Shakespeare envious of me 📝🎭.Yippee! from teaching young minds to educating worldwide readers it's an epic career switch. From teaching grammar lessons to grammatically flawless copy, I'm todays' wordsmith on a mission! Let me spin literary magic all around and conquer my exact destination of proving myself as The Best Writer in The World.🚀🏆 My promise is to provide you with valuable insights, solutions to your questions, and a momentary escape from the routine. I believe in the power of words to create connections, provoke thought, and foster growth. Woods are lovely dark and deep  But I have promises to keep and  Miles to go before I sleep ……..🌳✨🌌

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Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Turn the following sentences into indirect speech.

1.    John said, ‘I am very busy now.’ 2.    He said, ‘The horse has been fed.’ 3.    ‘I know her name and address,’ said John. 4.    ‘German is easy to learn,’ she said. 5.    He said, ‘I am writing letters.’ 6.    ‘It is too late to go out,’ Alice said. 7.    He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’ 8.    He says, ‘I am glad to be here this evening.’ 9.    He said to me, ‘What are you doing?’ 10.    ‘Where is the post office?’ asked the stranger. 11.    He said, ‘Will you listen to me?’ 12.    John said to Peter, ‘Go away.’ 13.    She said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’ 14.    ‘Call the witness,’ said the judge. 15.    The speaker said, ‘Be quiet and listen to my words.’

1.    John said that he was very busy then. 2.    He said that the horse had been fed. 3.    John said that he knew/knows her name and address. (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4.    She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5.    He said that he was writing letters. 6.    Alice said that it was too late to go out. 7.    He told me that he didn’t believe me. OR He said he didn’t believe me. 8.    He says that he is glad to be here this evening. (When the reporting verb is in the present tense, adverbs of time and place do not normally change in indirect speech.) 9.    He asked me what I was doing. 10.    The stranger asked where the post office is/was. 11.    He asked me if I would listen to him. 12.    John ordered Peter to go away. 13.    She asked me to wait there till she returned. 14.    The judge commanded them to call the first witness. 15.    He urged them to be quiet and listen to them.

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Direct and indirect speech

• Online exercises
• Grammar rules PDF

English grammar books PDF

PDF book 1: English grammar exercises PDF

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Direct and indirect speech exercises

Reported speech exercises PDF

• Learn how to change tenses, pronouns, expressions of time and place in the reported speech.

Reported questions + commands exercises PDF

• Practise the difference between the direct and indirect speech in questions, commands and requests.

Online exercises with answers:

Direct - indirect speech exercise 1 Rewrite sentences in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 2 Report a short dialogue in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 3 Find and correct mistakes in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 4 Choose correct answers in a multiple choice test.

Indirect - direct speech exercise 5 Rewrite sentences from the reported speech to direct speech.

Reported questions, commands and requests:

Reported questions exercise 6 Change the reported questions and orders into direct questions and orders.

Reported questions exercise 7 Change direct questions into reported questions.

Reported commands exercise 8 Make reported commands and requests.

Grammar rules PDF:

Reported speech rules PDF Changes of tenses, pronouns, time and place in reported statements, questions and commands.

English grammar PDF All PDF rules with examples on e-grammar.org.

Direct + indirect speech

See also: Reported questions + commands

The direct and indirect speech are used to say what other people said, thought or felt. "I like it," he said. - He said that he liked it. "Dan will come," she hoped. - She hoped Dan would come.

The reported (indirect) speech is typically introduced by verbs such as say, tell, admit, complain, explain, remind, reply, think, hope, offer, refuse etc. in the past tense. He said (that) he didn't want it. She explained that she had been at the seaside.

If these verbs are in the past tense, we change the following: a) verb tenses and verb forms b) pronouns c) the adverbs of time and place

A) Verb tenses

We change the tenses in the following way:

• Present - past "I never understand you," she told me. - She told me she never understood me. "We are doing exercises," he explained. - He explained that they were doing exercises.
• Present perfect - past perfect "I have broken the window," he admitted. - He admitted that he had broken the window. "I have been waiting since the morning," he complained. - He complained that he had been waiting since the morning.
• Past - past perfect "She went to Rome," I thought. - I thought that she had gone to Rome. "He was thinking of buying a new car," she said. - She said he had been thinking of buying a new car.
• Will - conditional Will changes into the conditional. I will come on Sunday," he reminded me. - He reminded me that he would come on Sunday.

As you can see, both the past tense and the present perfect change into the past perfect.

Notes 1. I shall, we shall usually become would . "I shall appreciate it," he said. - He said he would appreciate it. 2. I should, we should usually change into would . "We should be really glad," she told us. - She told us they would be really glad. 3. May becomes might . "I may write to him," she promised. - She promised that she might write to him.

The verb forms remain the same in the following cases:

• If we use the past perfect tense. Eva: "I had never seen him." - Eva claimed that she had never seen him.
• If the reporting verb is in the present tense. Bill: "I am enjoying my holiday." - Bill says he is enjoying his holiday. Sandy: "I will never go to work." - Sandy says she will never go to work.
• When we report something that is still true. Dan: "Asia is the largest continent." - Dan said Asia is the largest continent. Emma: "People in Africa are starving." - Emma said people in Africa are starving.
• When a sentence is made and reported at the same time and the fact is still true. Michael: "I am thirsty." - Michael said he is thirsty.
• With modal verbs would, might, could, should, ought to, used to. George: "I would try it." - George said he would try it. Mimi: "I might come." - Mimi said she might come. Steve: "I could fail." - Steve said he could fail. Linda: "He should/ought to stay in bed." - Linda said he should/ought to stay in bed. Mel: "I used to have a car." - Mel said he used to have a car.
• After wish, would rather, had better, it is time. Margo: "I wish they were in Greece." - Margo said she wished they were in Greece. Matt: "I would rather fly." - Matt said he would rather fly. Betty: "They had better go." - Betty said they had better go. Paul: "It is time I got up." - Paul said it was time he got up.
• In if-clauses. Martha: "If I tidied my room, my dad would be happy." - Martha said that if she tidied her room, her dad would be happy.
• In time clauses. Joe: "When I was staying in Madrid I met my best friend." - He said that when he was staying in Madrid he met his best friend.
• We do not change the past tense in spoken English if it is clear from the situation when the action happened. "She did it on Sunday," I said. - I said she did it on Sunday. We must change it, however, in the following sentence, otherwise it will not be clear whether we are talking about the present or past feelings. "I hated her," he said. - He said he had hated her.
• We do not usually change the modal verbs must and needn't . But must can become had to or would have to and needn't can become didn't have to or wouldn't have to if we want to express an obligation. Would/wouldn't have to are used to talk about future obligations. "I must wash up." - He said he must wash up/he had to wash up. "I needn't be at school today." - He said he needn't be/didn't have to be at school that day. "We must do it in June." - He said they would have to do it in June. If the modal verb must does not express obligation, we do not change it. "We must relax for a while." (suggestion) - He said they must relax for a while. "You must be tired after such a trip." (certainty) - He said we must be tired after such a trip.

B) Pronouns

We have to change the pronouns to keep the same meaning of a sentence. "We are the best students," he said. - He said they were the best students. "They called us," he said. - He said they had called them. "I like your jeans," she said. - She said she liked my jeans. "I can lend you my car," he said. - He said he could lend me his car.

Sometimes we have to use a noun instead of a pronoun, otherwise the new sentence is confusing. "He killed them," Kevin said. - Kevin said that the man had killed them. If we only make mechanical changes (Kevin said he had killed them) , the new sentence can have a different meaning - Kevin himself killed them.

This and these are usually substituted. "They will finish it this year," he said. - He said they would finish it that year. "I brought you this book," she said. - She said she had brought me the book. "We want these flowers," they said. - They said they wanted the flowers.

C) Time and place

Let's suppose that we talked to our friend Mary on Friday. And she said: "Greg came yesterday."  It means that Greg came on Thursday. If we report Mary's sentence on Sunday, we have to do the following: Mary: "Greg came yesterday." - Mary said that Greg had come the day before. If we say: Mary said Greg had come yesterday , it is not correct, because it means that he came on Saturday.

The time expressions change as follows. now - then, today - that day, tomorrow - the next day/the following day, the day after tomorrow - in two days' time, yesterday - the day before, the day before yesterday - two days before, next week/month - the following week/month, last week/month - the previous week/month, a year ago - a year before/the previous year

Bill: "She will leave tomorrow." - Bill said she would leave the next day. Sam: "She arrived last week." - Sam said she had arrived the previous week. Julie: "He moved a year ago." - Julie said he had moved a year before.

Note If something is said and reported at the same time, the time expressions can remain the same. "I will go on holiday tomorrow," he told me today. - He told me today he would go on holiday tomorrow. "We painted the hall last weekend," she told me this week. - She told me this week they had painted the hall last weekend. On the other hand, if something is reported later, the time expressions are different in the indirect speech. Last week Jim said: "I'm playing next week." If we say his sentence a week later, we will say: Jim said he was playing this week.

Here usually becomes there . But sometimes we make different adjustments. At school: "I'll be here at 10 o'clock," he said. - He said he would be there at 10 o'clock. In Baker Street: "We'll meet here." - He said they would meet in Baker Street.

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Reported Speech MCQ Questions with Answers Class 8 English

Explore numerous NCERT MCQ Questions for Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech Pdf free download is available online for students. By taking help from MCQ Questions for Class 8 English with Answers during preparation, score maximum marks in the exam. Try maintaining a time limit while answering Reported Speech Class 8 MCQs Questions with Answers so that it would be useful in your actual exams. Download the Reported Speech Multiple Choice Questions PDF free of cost and get good scores in the board exams.

MCQ Questions for Class 8 English Grammar Reported Speech with Answers

Enhance your subject knowledge through Reported Speech MCQ Online Test and lay a stronger foundation of your basics. Verify your answers with MCQ on Reported Speech provided and know where you went wrong. Use the Objective Questions of Class 8th Reported Speech MCQ with Answers provided below and understand all the concepts easily.

Change the following into indirect speech. Choose the correct alternative:

Question 1. He said to me, “When can you go to Ambala?” (a) He asked me when I could go to Ambala. (b) He told me that he could go to Ambala. (c) He asked me when I could go to Ambala. (d) He asked me if he could go to Ambala.

Answer: (c) He asked me when I could go to Ambala.

Question 2. The teacher said, “The earth moves around the sun.” (a) The teacher said that the earth moved around the sun. (b) The teacher said that the earth moves around the sun. (c) The teacher says that the earth moves around the sun. (d) The teacher tells that the earth moves around the sun.

Answer: (b) The teacher said that the earth moves around the sun.

Question 3. The lady said to him, “Why haven’t you paid the house rent ?” (a) The lady told him why he had not paid the house rent. (b) The lady asked him that he has not paid the house rent. (c) The lady asked him why he had not paid the house rent. (d) The lady asked him why he has not paid the house rent.

Answer: (c) The lady asked him why he had not paid the house rent.

Question 4. Pulkit said to Rashmi, “I am putting these papers in a file.” (a) Pulkit asked Rashmi that she is putting these papers in a file. (b) Pulkit told Rashmi that she is putting those papers in a file. (c) Pulkit told Rashmi that he was putting those papers in a file. (d) Pulkit told Rashmi that I am putting those papers in a file.

Answer: (c) Pulkit told Rashmi that he was putting those papers in a file.

Question 5. He said to me, “Are you in a mood to work?” (a) He asked me that I was in a mood to work. (b) He asked me if I was in a mood to work. (c) He asked me if are you in a mood to work. (d) He told me that he was in a mood to work.

Answer: (b) He asked me if I was in a mood to work.

Question 6. The teacher said to Ram, “When did the bus leave?” (a) The teacher asked Ram when did the bus leave. (b) The teacher told Ram when the but left. (c) The teacher said that when did the bus leave. (d) The teacher asked Ram when the bus had left.

Answer: (d) The teacher asked Ram when the bus had left.

Question 7. The boys say, “Honesty is the best policy.” (a) The boys say that honesty is the best policy. (b) The boys said that honesty is the best policy. (c) The boys will say that honesty is the best policy. (d) The boys say that honesty was the best policy.

Answer: (a) The boys say that honesty is the best policy.

Question 8. The man said to his son, “Can you go to the town now?” (a) The man asked his son if he can go to the town then. (b) The man told his son that he could go to the town now. (c) The man asked his son if he cannot go to the town then. (d) The man asked his son if he could go to the town then.

Answer: (d) The man asked his son if he could go to the town then.

Question 9. He said to me, “I am going to Chennai tomorrow.” (a) He said to me that he was going to Chennai tomorrow. (b) He told me that he is going to Chennai tomorrow. (c) He told me that he was going to Chennai the next day. (d) He asked me if he was going to Chennai tomorrow.

Answer: (c) He told me that he was going to Chennai the next day.

Question 10. He said to me, “What are you doing now?” (a) He told me what I was doing., (b) He asked me what I was doing then. (c) He asked me if what I was doing. (d) He said to me what I was doing.

Answer: (b) He asked me what I was doing then.

Question 11. Suntan said to Geeta, “I walked to the market yesterday.” (a) Suman asked Geeta that she walked to the market yesterday. (b) Suman told Geeta that she had walked to the market the previous day. (c) Suman told Geeta that she walked to the market the previous day. (d) Suman told Geeta that I had walked to the market the next day.

Answer: (b) Suman told Geeta that she had walked to the market the previous day.

Question 12. He said to me, “You will miss the train.” (a) He told me that I would miss the train. (b) He asked me if I would miss the train. (c) He said to me that I will miss the train. (d) He told me that 1 will miss the train.

Answer: (a) He told me that I would miss the train.

Question 13. Mohan says to me, “I am going to school.” (a) Mohan says that I am going to school. (b) Mohan says that he was going to school. (c) Mohan tells me if I was going to school. (d) Mohan tells me that he is going to school.

Answer: (d) Mohan tells me that he is going to school.

Question 14. They said to me, “Are the apples sweet?” (a) They told me if the apples were sweet. (b) They told me that the apples were sweet. (c) They asked me if the apples were sweet. (d) They asked me that the apples were sweet.

Answer: (c) They asked me if the apples were sweet.

Question 15. She said to me, “Who teaches you English?” (a) She asked me who taught me English. (b) She told me that who teaches you English. (c) She asked me if who teaches us English. (d) She asked me who taught us English.

Answer: (a) She asked me who taught me English.

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Direct And Indirect Speech Mcq Class 8 | Exercises |PDF

Exercise- 6

Change the form of narration in the following sentences :

1.I said to Naman, “Look at the map.” a.why I asked Naman to look at the map. b.I asked Naman to look at the map. c.which are I asked Naman to look at the map. d.whom this I asked Naman to look at the map.

2.He said to me, “Help the poor.” a.He advised me to help the poor. b.He advised me the help the poor. c.He told me her help the poor. d.He said me on help to the poor.

3.The mother said to Sita, “Do not waste your time.” a.The mother advised Sita will not to waste her time. b.The mother advised Sita would not to waste her time. c.The mother advised Sita not to waste her time. d.The mother advised Sita should not to waste her time.

4.Radha said to Reeta, “Do what I say.” a.Radha asked Reeta to do where she said. b.Radha asked Reeta to do who she said. c.Radha asked Reeta to do which she said. d.Radha asked Recta to do what she said.

5.I said to my teacher, “Allow me to meet my unc le.” a.I requested my teacher will be to allow me to meet my uncle. b.I requested my teacher to allow me to meet my uncle. c.I requested my teacher ought to be allow me to meet my uncle. d.I requested my teacher should to be allow me to meet my uncle.

6.”Work hard if you want to pass,” said the teacher. a.The teacher advised the students to work hard if they wanted to pass. b.The teacher told the students to work hard if they wanted to pass. c.The teacher said that the students to work hard if they wanted to pass. d.The teacher told me that the students to work hard if they wanted to pass.

7.Father said to his son, “Do not waste time.” a.Father advised his son can not to waste time. b.Father advised his son should not to waste time. c.Father advised his son not to waste time. d.Father advised his son must not to waste time.

8.The beggar said to the traveller, “Give me some money, please.” a.The beggar requested the traveller to gave him some money. b.The beggar requested the traveller to should being give him some money. c.The beggar requested the traveller to give him some have been money. d.The beggar requested the traveller to give him some money.

9.Anil said, “How foolishly you acted!” a.Anil regretted that he have been acted very foolishly. b.Anil regretted that he had acted very foolishly. c.Anil regretted that he has been acted very foolishly. d.Anil regretted that he will have been acted very foolishly.

10.I said to Mohan. “What a powerful shot it is!” a.I told Mohan exclaiming with wonder that it was a very powerful shot. b.I told Mohan exclaiming with have been wonder that it was a very powerful shot. c.I told Mohan exclaiming with has been wonder that it was a very powerful shot. d.I told Mohan exclaiming with being wonder that it was a very powerful shot.

11.The Principal said to the peon, “Ring the bell.” a.The Principal ordered the peon to have a ring the bell. b.The Principal ordered the peon to ring the bell. c.The Principal ordered must be the peon to ring the bell. d.The Principal ordered the peon should have been to ring the bell.

12.The Headmaster said to the peon, “Ring the bell.” a.The Headmaster ordered the peon to ring the bell. b.The Headmaster ordered the peon should to ring the bell. c.The Headmaster ordered the peon must be to ring the bell. d.The Headmaster ordered the peon to have been ring the bell.

13.The hostess said, “Did you sleep well?” a.The hostess asked if he have been slept well. b.The hostess asked if he would have slept well. c.The hostess asked if he had slept well. d.The hostess asked if he should have slept well.

14.She said to the servant, “Open the door.” a.She ordered the servant to have been open the door. b.She ordered the servant to has been open the door. c.She ordered the servant ought to have open the door. d.She ordered the servant to open the door.

15.He said to his son, “Never tell a lie.” a.He advised his son never to tell a lie. b.He advised his son have been never to tell a lie. c.He advised his son should be never to tell a lie. d.He advised his son ought to never to tell a lie.

16.The captain said to the soldiers. “Fire at the enemy.” a.The captain ordered the soldiers to have been fire at the enemy. b.The captain ordered the soldiers to has been to fire at the enemy. c.The captain ordered the soldiers to fire at the enemy. d.The captain ordered the soldiers to fire should have been at the enemy.

17.Ram said to Mohan, “Listen to what I say.” a.Ram told Mohan to listen to what he said. b.Ram asked Mohan to listen to what he said. c.Ram asked Mohan to have been listen to what he said. d.Ram asked Mohan has been to listen to what he said.

18.The manager said to the servant, “Go and post this letter.” a.The manager ordered the servant to went and post that letter. b.The manager ordered the servant to gone and post that letter. c.The manager ordered the servant to going and post that letter. d.The manager ordered the servant to go and post that letter.

19.The teacher said to the students. “Work regularly.” a.The teacher advised the students to work regularly. b.The teacher advised the students to have been work regularly. c.The teacher advised the students ought to be work regularly. d.The teacher advised the students to must being work regularly.

20.Mother said to her son, “Do what you are told. “ a.Mother ordered her son to do where he was told. b.Mother ordered her son to do what have been he was told. c.Mother ordered her son to do what he was told. d.Mother ordered her son to do which he was told.

21.I said to him, “Let us play in the garden. “ a.I proposed to him that we would play in the garden. b.I proposed to him that we should play in the garden. c.I proposed to him that we could play in the garden. d.I proposed to him that we ought to play in the garden.

22.Mohan said to me, “Let us take tea.” a.Mohan proposed to me to take tea. b.Mohan proposed to me to have been take tea. c.Mohan proposed to me to could take tea. d.Mohan proposed to me to must be take tea.

23.I said to him, “Please let me come in.” a.I requested him to let me her came in. b.I requested him to let me his coming in. c.I requested him to let me come in. d.I requested him to let me has comes in.

24.I said to him, “Let the child sleep.” a.I asked him to let the has been child sleep. b.I asked him to let the child ought to sleep. c.I asked him to let the child her sleep. d.I asked him to let the child sleep.

25.She said to Mohan, “Let us go home.” a.She proposed to Mohan that they ought to went home. b.She proposed to Mohan that they should go home. c.She proposed to Mohan that they must to gone home. d.She proposed to Mohan that they could going to home.

26.I said. “Let us go out for a walk.” a.I proposed that we would go out for a walk. b.I proposed that we could go out for a walk. c.I proposed that we should go out for a walk. d.I proposed that we must went out for a walk.

27.Sita said, “Hurrah! I have topped the class.” a.Sita exclaimed with joy that she had been to topped the class. b.Sita exclaimed with joy that she had topped the class. c.Sita exclaimed with joy that she have been topped the class. d.Sita exclaimed with joy that she has being to topped the class.

28.My brother said. “Alas! My new pen has lost.” a.My brother exclaimed with sorrow that his new pen had lost. b.My brother exclaimed with sorrow that his new pen have not be lost. c.My brother exclaimed with sorrow that his new pen has not been lost. d.My brother exclaimed with sorrow that his new pen should be lost.

29.The commander said to the soldiers, “Bravo! March-forward.” a.The commander applauded the soldiers saying to have been march forward. b.The commander applauded the soldiers saying to must be march forward. c.The commander applauded the soldiers saying to might be march forward. d.The commander applauded the soldiers saying to march forward.

30.She said to me. “Thank you.” a.He had a thanked me. b.He thinking me. c.He thanked me. d.He was thanked me.

31.I said to my friend. “Congratulations.” a.I congratulated my friend. b.I congratulated to my friend. c.I congratulated has been my friend. d.I congratulated should be to my friend.

32.He said, “What a nice picture!” a.He said that it were a very nice picture. b.He said that it which a very nice picture. c.He said that it whom a very nice picture. d.He said that it was a very nice picture.

33.I said, “What a beautiful flower it is!” a.I exclaimed with wonder that it had a very beautiful flower. b.I exclaimed with wonder that it was a very beautiful flower. c.I exclaimed with wonder that it which has been a very beautiful flower. d.I exclaimed with wonder that it would have been a very beautiful flower.

34.He said to me, “Welcome.” a.He welcomed to the me. b.He welcomed can to me. c.He welcomed me. d.He was to welcomed me.

35.The crow will say, “I cannot sing so well.” a.The crow will say that it cannot sing so well. b.The crow ought to say that it cannot sing so well. c.The crow must be say that it could not sing so well. d.The crow might be say that it cannot sing so well.

36.Harish will say to me. “You have spoiled my pen.” a.Harish ought to tell me that I have spoiled his pen. b.Harish might be tell me that I have spoiled his pen. c.Harish should be tell me that I have spoiled his pen. d.Harish will tell me that I have spoiled his pen.

37.The teacher said, “The G a nga rises from the Himalayas.” a.The teacher said that the Ganga rises from the Himalayas. b.The teacher said that the Ganga was to rises from the Himalayas. c.The teacher said that the Ganga when to rises from the Himalayas. d.The teacher said that the Ganga should not be rises from the Himalayas.

38.The teacher said. “The Himalaya stands in the north of India. “ a.The teacher said that the Himalayas should be stand in the north of India. b.The teacher said that the Himalayas must be stand in the north of India. c.The teacher said that the Himalayas might be stand in the north of India. d.The teacher said that the Himalayas stand in the north of India.

39.John said to me, “I hope to win this prize.” a.John told me that he hopping ought to win that prize. b.John told me that he hoped to win that prize. c.John told me that he hopes would to win that prize. d.John told me that he hoped must to being win that prize.

40.Rahul said to me. “I posted your letter.” a.Rahul told me that he had posted my letter. b.Rahul told me that he had ought to posted my letter. c.Rahul told me that he have been to posted my letter. d.Rahul told me that he has will be posted my letter.

1.b. I asked Naman to look at the map. 2.a. He advised me to help the poor. 3.c. The mother advised Sita not to waste her time. 4.d. Radha asked Recta to do what she said. 5.b. I requested my teacher to allow me to meet my uncle. 6.a. The teacher advised the students to work hard if they wanted to pass. 7.c. Father advised his son not to waste time. 8.d. The beggar requested the traveller to give him some money. 9.b. Anil regretted that he had acted very foolishly. 10.a. I told Mohan exclaiming with wonder that it was a very powerful shot. 11.b.The Principal ordered the peon to ring the bell. 12.a. The Headmaster ordered the peon to ring the bell. 13.c. The hostess asked if he had slept well. 14.d. She ordered the servant to open the door. 15.a. He advised his son never to tell a lie. 16.c. The captain ordered the soldiers to fire at the enemy. 17.b. Ram asked Mohan to listen to what he said. 18.d. The manager ordered the servant to go and post that letter. 19.a. The teacher advised the students to work regularly. 20.c. Mother ordered her son to do what he was told. 21.b. I proposed to him that we should play in the garden. 22.a. Mohan proposed to me to take tea. 23.c. I requested him to let me come in. 24.d. I asked him to let the child sleep. 25.b. She proposed to Mohan that they should go home. 26.c. I proposed that we should go out for a walk. 27.b. Sita exclaimed with joy that she had topped the class. 28.a. My brother exclaimed with sorrow that his new pen had lost. 29.d. The commander applauded the soldiers saying to march forward. 30.c. He thanked me. 31.a. I congratulated my friend. 32.He said that it was a very nice picture. 33.b. I exclaimed with wonder that it was a very beautiful flower. 34.c. He welcomed me. 35.a. The crow will say that it cannot sing so well. 36.d. Harish will tell me that I have spoiled his pen. 37.a. The teacher said that the Ganga rises from the Himalayas. 38.d. The teacher said that the Himalayas stand in the north of India. 39.b. John told me that he hoped to win that prize. 40.a. Rahul told me that he had posted my letter.

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Reported Speech: Exclamatory Sentences Practice Questions with Answers

• Post last modified: 10 April 2022
• Post category: Grammar Exercises / School Grammar

Learn how to change Exclamatory sentences into indirect speech. We are giving here rules of as well as some practice exercises to help learners master the direct and indirect transformation of sentences. watch the video tutorials also to learn how to change a direct speech exclamation into its indirect speech exclamation.

New exercises are added from time to time, so keep coming here .

Click here for rules of Reported Speech

Click here for more English Grammar Topics.

Narration: Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences:.

Sentences which express some sudden feelings ( such as pleasure, anger, surprise ) about something which has been said or done, are called Exclamatory sentences.

Exclamatory sentences or expressions take a mark of exclamation (!) at their end.

• Hurrah! we have won.
• Alas! he is ruined.
• What a lovely flower!
• How foolish he is!

Exclamatory Sentences: General Rules

• Use ‘exclaimed’ in place of ‘said’ in the reporting verb in the indirect speech: Sometimes Exclamatory sentences contain exclamations like Hurrah! Alas! Oh! Heavens! Bravo, etc. Such exclamatory words are removed in the indirect speech and we use ‘ exclaimed with sorrow’, exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with surprise, applaud, pray etc. instead of ‘said’.
• Generally, Indirect speech begins with that the Conjunction ‘ that’
• Use ‘wish’ and ‘pray to God’ in sentences involving wish and prayer.
• Convert the exclamatory sentence to a statement i.e. end with a full stop dot ( . )
• Direct: Kohli said, “Hurrah! We won the match.” Indirect: Kohli exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
• Direct: Reena said, “Alas! Sheela’s mother is suffering from cancer.” Indirect: Reena exclaimed with sorrow that Sheela’s mother was suffering from cancer.
• Direct: My mother said, “May God bless you!” Indirect: My mother prayed to God for my wellbeing.
• Direct: He said, “What a pity!” Indirect: He exclaimed that it was a great pity.
• Direct: I said, “How stupid he is!” Indirect: I exclaimed that it was a very stupid of him.

Solved Exercises -1

Q. Change the following sentences into Indirect narration.

• He said, “Alas! I am undone.” 
• She said, “Hoe clever I am!” 
• He said, “Bravo! You have done well.” 
• “Oh, help me, Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again.” 
• She said, “May you succeed, my son.” 
• He said, “What a great misery!” 
• The captain said, “Hurrah! We have won the match.” 
• Sita said, “Goodbye, my friend!” 
• The spectators said, “Bravo! Well played, Rahul!” 
• The merchant said, “Alas! I am ruined.” 
• He exclaimed sadly (with sorrow) that he was undone. 
• She exclaimed that she was very clever. 
• He applauded him saying that he had done well. 
• He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again. 
• She wished success for her son. OR She prayed for the success of her son.  
• He exclaimed that it was a great misery. 
• The captain exclaimed with joy that they had won. 
• She bade her friend goodbye.  
• The spectators applauded Rahul saying that he had played well. 
• The merchant exclaimed with sorrow that he was ruined. 

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Modals: class 10 practice exercises, determiners – grammar notes class 10 cbse, analytical paragraph practice questions class 10 english grammar, subject verb concord – english grammar for cbse & icse schools, this post has 7 comments.

Thank s and it is very helpful ffor me

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Thank s and this is useful examples

thanks! helped alot during my exams! I would surely reccomend this to all of those who are seeing this comment and to all of my friends…!

Thanks a lot

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