There are solved examples before every practice exercise. Check the solved examples and then attempt the practice exercises. Click the exercise for practice.
Direct Indirect Sentences (Index)
Direct and Indirect Speech (solved Examples)
(a) Direct Narration (Direct Speech)
(b) Indirect Narration (Indirect Speech)
Speech : Whatever we speak is called our speech.
A. Direct Speech
(When anything, which is spoken or written by somebody is written or presented as it is, is called direct speech.)
1. The teacher says,“ Ram writes a letter.” (Direct)
The teacher says that Ram writes a letter. (Indirect)
2. I say to him, “You are my helper.” (Direct)
I tell him that he is my helper. (Indirect)
3. The teacher will say,“ Ram writes a letter.” (Direct)
The teacher will say that Ram writes a letter. (Indirect)
4. He has said, “I am without work these days.” (Direct)
He has said that he is without work these days. (Indirect)
5. The goldsmith says, “I make beautiful ornaments.” (Direct)
The goldsmith says that he makes beautiful ornaments. (Indirect)
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
(a) He said, “Ram had written a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had written a letter. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “Ram had been writing a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had been writing a letter. (Indirect)
Present Indefinite ‘Past Indefinite Tense’
(a) He said, “Ram writes a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram wrote a letter. (Indirect)
(b) Meena said to me, “Tina is a good girl” (Direct)
Meena told me that Tina was a good girl. (Indirect)
Present Continuous ‘Past Continuous Tense’
(a) He said, “ Ram is writing a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram was writing a letter. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “Mohan is telling a lie.” (Direct)
He said that Mohan was telling a lie. (Indirect)
Present Perfect ‘Past Perfect Tense’
(a) He said, “ Ram has written a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had written a letter. (Indirect)
(b) The teacher said,“The girls have sung a song.” (Direct)
The teacher said that the girls had sung a song. (Indirect)
Past Indefinite ‘Past Perfect Tense’
(a) He said, “Ram wrote a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had written a letter. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “The horse died in the night.” (Direct)
He said that the horse had died in the night. (Indirect)
Past Continuous ‘Past Perfect Continuous Tense’
(a) He said, “Ram was writing a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had been writing a letter. (Indirect)
(b) She said, “The child was crying.” (Direct)
She said that the child had been crying. (Indirect)
Future Indefinite
(a) He said, “Ram will write a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram would write a letter. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “The postman will come.” (Direct)
He said that the postman would come. (Indirect)
Future Continuous
(a) He said, “Ram will be writing a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram would be writing a letter. (Indirect)
(b) I said to him, “You will be joining the bank.” (Direct)
I told him that he would be joining the bank. (Indirect)
Future Perfect Continuous
(a) He said, “Ram will have written a letter.” (Direct)
He said that Ram would have written a letter. (Indirect)
(b) They said, “We shall have finished our work by 5 p.m.” (Direct)
They said that they would have finished their work by 5 p.m. (Indirect)
Present Perfect Continuous
(a) He said, “Ram has been writing a letter for ten minutes.” (Direct)
He said that Ram had been writing a letter for ten minutes. (Indirect)
(b) Champa said, “The tap has been running for three minutes.” (Direct)
Champa said that the tap had been running for three minutes. (Indirect)
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Future Perfect Continuous
(a) He said, “Ram will have been writing a letter for ten minutes.” (Direct)
He said that Ram would have been writing a letter for ten minutes. (Indirect)
(b) He said to us, “You will not have been taking the examination for ten days.” (Direct)
He told us that we would not have been taking the examination for ten days. (Indirect)
Exercise 166.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. She says, “Titu is a good boy.”
2. Raman said to Kamlesh, “It is getting dark.”
3. He said, “I shall definitely do this work.”
4. He will say to me, “I am ill.”
5. I said, “I have passed the examination.”
6. I said to him, “He will stand first in the class.”
7. He says, “It will not rain.”
8. She said to me, “I have seen the zoo twice.”
9. She said to him, “She will not marry you.”
10. He will say, “I am very busy.”
EXERCISE 167.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. He said, “They will not have dug the well.”
2. He said to me, “I do not disobey the teacher.”
3. Ram said, “He visited Delhi last year.”
4. He said, “She has been working very hard for two years.”
5. He said, “My brother is reading his book.”
6. She said to me, “I was listening to the running commentary.”
7. He said, “It has been raining since morning.”
8. He said, “I am milking the cow.”
9. I said to him, “You were quarrelling with her.”
10. He said to me, “I have been singing a song for ten minutes.”
| Direct | Indirect | ||
| (a) | He said, “Ram can drive a motor car.” | He said that Ram could drive a motor car. | |
| (b) | I said to her, “He may come to you today.” | I told her that he might come to her that day. | |
| (c) | Ram said to Shyam, “You might teach Sita.” | Ram told Shyam that he might teach Sita. | |
| (d) | He said, “Hari will not attend his | He said that Hari would not attend his | |
| cousin’s marriage.” | cousin’s marriage. | ||
| (e) | I said, “One must obey one’s parents.” | I said that one must obey one’s parents. | |
| (f) | Ram said, “I must go there at once.” | Ram said that he had to go there at once. | |
| (g) | She said, “I must go to Delhi next week.” | She said that she would have to go to Delhi the following week. | |
| (h) | He said, “You must not speak to anyone.” | He said that I must not speak to anyone. | |
| (i) | I said, “We would/ should/ could/ | I said that we would/ should/ could/ | |
| might attend the party.” | might attend the party. | ||
| (j) | The doctor said, “After the function, | The doctor said that after the function | |
| (k) | I had to rush to my hospital.” | he had had to rush to his hospital. | |
| He said, “You need not purchase this book.” | He said that I need not purchase that book. | ||
| (l) | Ganguly said, “Harbhajan ought to improve the form.” | Ganguly said that Harbhajan ought to improve the form. |
EXERCISE 168.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Darshan said, “ Sangita may catch the train.”
2. She said, “He may pass the examination.”
3. The doctor said, “You may eat everything freely.”
4. He said, “ I shall pass.”
5. I said to him, “You ought to help the poor.”
6. The old man said, “I can’t walk on foot now.”
7. The teacher said, “He may be allowed to go.”8. He said to me, “He would like to see the minister.”
9. He said, “I can solve these sums easily”.
10. He said, “I know the place well because I used to live here.”
CHANGE : UNIVERSAL TRUTH
| Direct | Indirect | |
| (i) | Habitual | |
| (a) | He said to me, “My brother gets up at 4 a.m. daily.” | He told me that his brother gets up at 4 a.m. daily. |
| (b) | We said, “We do not drink daily.” | We said that we do not drink daily. |
| (ii) | (Historical Fact) | |
| (a) | He said, “Babur defeated Ibrahim | He said that Babur defeated Ibrahim |
| Lodhi at Panipat in 1526.” | Lodhi at Panipat in 1526. | |
| (b) | He said, “India got freedom in 1947.” | He said that India got freedom in 1947. |
| (iii) | (Mathematical output) | |
| (a) | I said, “ Two and two make four. ” | I said that two and two make four. |
| (b) | Mother said, “Nine and two are eleven.’’ | Mother said that nine and two are eleven |
| (iv) | (Scientific Principle) | |
| (a) | The teacher said, “The earth moves round the sun.” | The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun. |
| (b) | He said, “Light travels in a straight line.” | He said that light travels in a straight line. |
| (c) | Sheela said, “A magnet attracts iron.” | Sheela said that a magnet attracts iron. |
| (d) | Teacher said, “The sun rises in the east.” | Teacher said that the sun rises in the east. |
| (v) | (True) | |
| (a) | He said, “God helps those who help themselves.” | He said that God helps those who help themselves. |
| (b) | He said, “A bad workman quarrels with his tools.” | He said that a bad workman quarrels with his tools. |
| (vi) | ||
| (a) | He said, “I was reading a newspaper while my wife was preparing a cup of tea for me.” | He said that he was reading a newspaper while his wife was preparing a cup of tea for him. |
| (b) | He said, “Ram was writing a letter while Shyam was reading a book.” | He said that Ram was writing a letter while Shyam was reading a book. |
| (Imagined Conditions) | ||
| (a) | He said, “If I were rich, I would help her.” | (Direct) |
| He said that if he were rich he would help her. | (Indirect) | |
| (b) | He said to me, “If you were present there, you would weep.” | (Direct) |
| He told me that if I were present there, I would weep. | (Indirect) | |
| (viii) | Past Continuous Tense Complete | |
| He said, “When I saw them, they were playing cricket.” | He said that when he saw them, they were playing cricket. | |
| (ix) | Reported Speech Past Tense | |
| (a) | Ram said, “Shyam was busy so he did not attend the meeting.” | Ram said that Shyam was busy so he did not attend the meeting. |
| (x) | Past | |
| (a) | They said, “We decided not to purchase the house, because it was near the sea.” | They said that they had decided not to purchase the house, because it was near the sea |
| (xi) | ||
| (a) | The air-hostess said, “All flights are late due to heavy fog.” | The air-hostess said that all flights are late due to heavy fog |
| (xii) | ||
| (a) | She said, “I wish I did not have to take examination.” | She said that she wished she did not have to take examination |
| (xiii) | ||
| (a) | He said, “The children had better go to bed early.” | He said that the children had better go to bed early |
| (b) | Teacher said, “You had better not to drink tea | Teacher advised me not to drink tea. |
EXERCISE 169.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Ranjeet said, “I go out for a walk daily.”
2. The maid-servant said, “I am always in time.”
3. She said, “The earth rotates on its own axis.”
4. Mohan said to me, “Fire burns.”
5. He said, “Man lives by bread.”
6. I said, “Two and two make four.”
7. Newton said, “The earth is a big magnet.”
8. I said, “My uncle drinks daily.”
9. The teacher said, “The sun is stationary.”
10. He said, “Shimla is not hot in summer.”
CHANGE : PRONOUNS
A). SON Formula :
S = Subject O = Object N = No change
1. = First Person 2. = Second Person 3. = Third Person
(i) (a) He said to me, “I don’t work on Tuesday.” (Direct)
He told me that he did not work on Tuesday. (Indirect)
(b) She said, “I like my new house.” (Direct)
She said that she liked her new house. (Indirect)
(ii) (a) He said to us, “You are fools.” (Direct)
He told us that we were fools. (Indirect)
(b) He said to me, “You are a thief.” (Direct)
He told me that I was a thief. (Indirect)
(iii) (a) He said to me, “She is tall and slim.” (Direct)
He told me that she was tall and slim. (Indirect)
(b) She says, “I know her.” (Direct)
She says that she knows her. (Indirect)
B) (i) She said, “We are God’s children.” (Direct)
She said that we are God’s chidren. (Indirect)
(ii) He said, “We should not tell a lie.” (Direct)
He said that we should not tell a lie. (Indirect)
C) (a)The Tribune says, “We are trying our best to keep you well informed.” (Direct)
The Tribune says that it is trying its best to keep us well informed. (Indirect)
(b)The Times of India says, “We feel that the government should take action to remove the enemy from Kargil.” (Direct)
The Times of India says that it feels that the government should take action to remove the enemy from Kargil. (Indirect)
(D)
| (a) She said, “You will do your work yourself.” | (Direct) |
| She said that he would do his work himself. | (Indirect) |
| Or She said that she would do her work herself. | (Indirect) |
| (b) They said, “You could not cheat your friends for yourself.” | (Direct) |
| They said that he would not cheat his friends for himself. | (Indirect) |
| (c) She said, “You are guilty.” | (Direct) |
| She said that he was guilty. | (Indirect) |
| (d) He said, “You are guilty.” | (Direct) |
| He said that I was guilty. | (Indirect) |
E) (a)He showed me two bullets. “I found these embedded in the panel,” he said. (Direct)
He told me that he had found them embedded in the panel. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “We will discuss this tomorrow.” (Direct)
He said that they would discuss it the next day. (Indirect)
| Direct | Indirect | |
| 1 | She said to me, “I am right but you are wrong.” | She told me that she was right but I was wrong. |
| 2 | He said to me, “Your brother is angry with me.” | He told me that my brother was angry with him. |
| 3 | We said, “They are wasting their time.” | We said that they were wasting their time. |
| 4 | I said to him, “ He is a fool.” | I told him that he was a fool. |
| 5 | They said, “We cannot live without air.” | They said that we cannot live without air. |
| 6 | I said to the teacher, “He abused me there.” | I told the teacher that he had abused me there. |
| 7 | She said, “You are guilty.” | She said that they were guilty. |
| 8 | He said, “You are guilty.” | He said that we were guilty. |
| 9 | He said, “You are an idiot, Ram.” | He told Ram that he was an idiot. |
| 10 | They say, “We should not tell a lie.” | They say that we should not tell a lie. |
EXERCISE 170.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. They said to me, “We shall not call our parents.”
2. The old man said, “I shall tell the truth.”
3. You said, “I am going to school.”
4. Ram said to Sita, “You are my wife.”
5. He said to you, “ He is a fool.”
6. He said to me, “I was preparing my lesson yesterday.”
7. She says to him, “He is not kind to me.”
8. Mohan said to Gita, “I may go there myself.”
9. He said to her, “You are in the right.”
10. Sita said, “I am going to school.”
EXERCISE 171.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. She said, “We should always speak the truth.”
2. The manager said to them, “You have not paid your bill.”
3. He said to her, “You are a good girl.”
4. He said to me, “You are a good boy.”
5. Sohan said to me, “It is a beautiful garden.”
6. You said to me, “ He is a fool.”
7. They said, “He will not object to the proposal.”
8. They said, “We are going to school.”
9. He said, “I am doing my work.”
10. The teacher said, “Boys, you have done your work.”
EXERCISE 172.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. The teacher said to them, “You are careless about your studies.”
2. Ram said to me, “I should mind my own business.”
3. He said to you, “You are a good boy.”
4. Govaskar said, “ Sachin will be a good Captain.”5. He said to me, “She is tall and slim.”
6. The master said to me, “You have become lazy.”
7. Your father said to you, “You are a good girl.”
8. He said to me, “ I shall not meet you.”
9. Sushma said, “I respect my teacher.”
10. Manorama said, “They are wasting their time.”
CHANGE : WORDS SHOWING NEARNESS
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
| 1. ago | before |
| 2. come* | go |
| 3. hence | thence |
| 4. here* | there |
| 5. hither | thither |
| 6. last night | the previous night/ the night before |
| 7. last week/month/ year | the previous week/ month/ year |
| 8. next day/ week/ month | the following day/ week/ month |
| 9. now* | then |
| 10. the day before yesterday | the day before the previous day / two days before |
| 11. these | those |
| 12. this* | that |
| 13. thus | so |
| 14. to night | that night |
| 15. today* | that day |
| 16. tomorrow | the next day/ the following day |
| 17. yesterday | the previous day/ the day before |
| 18. last fortnight | the previous fortnight |
| 19. the day after tomorrow | the day after the next day |
(a) He said, “You can sit here, Ram.” (Direct)
He told Ram that he could sit beside him. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “Come here, boys.” (Direct)
He called the boys. (Indirect)
(c) At breakfast this morning he said, “I’ll be very busy today.” (Direct)
At breakfast this morning he said that he would be very busy today. (Indirect)
| Direct | Indirect | |
| 1. | Ram said, “This is my pen.” | Ram said that that was his pen. |
| 2. | The guest said, “I shall leave tomorrow.” | The guest said that he would leave the next day. |
| 3. | He said, “I shall not go today.” | He said that he would not go that day. |
| 4. | My father said to me, “I did not help | My father told me that he had not |
| him yesterday.” | helped him the previous day. | |
| 5. | Ram said, “I may go to a film tomorrow.” | Ram said that he might go to a film the next day. |
| 6. | He said, “I met with an accident here | He said that he had met with an |
| three days ago.” | accident there three days before. | |
| 7. | She said, “I am going now.” | She said that she was going then. |
| 8. | Shyam said, “He completed the | Shyam said that he had completed |
| computer course last year.” | the computer course the previous year. | |
| 9. | He said to me, “I will join this bank next week.” | He told me that he would join that bank the following week. |
| 10. | Ram said to me, “I shall come to you today.” | Ram told me that he would come to me that day. |
EXERCISE 173.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. He said, “I will stay here to night.”
2. She said, “Here, I lived for ten years.”
3. He said to me, “You do not help me.”
4. Rakesh said to Sunil, “I could not buy this book yesterday.”
5. She said, “I have lost three pens here.”
6. He said, “ Ram came here.”
7. She said, “I have seen this picture.”
8. I said, “It may rain tomorrow.”
9. He said, “Everybody is here.”
10. Ramesh said, “Mukesh will buy it now.”
CHANGE : REPORTING VERB
- The teacher says, “I do not like your habits.” (Direct)
The teacher says that he did not like our habits. (Indirect)
- He said to me, “You are just like your father.” (Direct)
He told me that I was just like my father. (Indirect)
- The teacher said, “Ram, I am pleased with you.” (Direct)
The teacher told Ram that he was pleased with him. (Indirect)
- The leader said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I should thank you all.” (Direct)
The leader addressed the public as ladies and gentlemen that he should thank them all. (Indirect)
Examples :
| Direct | Indirect | |
| 1. | He said to me, “Brother, I assure you,I shall not go to the pictures again.” | He assured his brother that he would not go to the pictures again. |
| 2. | He said to me, “I was searching for my book.” | He told me that he had been searching for his book. |
| 3. | He said to Ram, “I am going away tomorrow.” | He informed Ram that he was going away the next day. |
| 4. | Mother said, “Tea is ready.” | Mother said that tea was ready. |
| 5. | Kishore says, “The teacher teaches well.” | Kishore says that the teacher teaches well. |
| 6. | The old man says to his son, “I need some money.” | The old man tells his son that he needs some money. |
| 7. | The crow will say, “I cannot sing so well.” | The crow will say that it cannot sing so well. |
| 8. | Ram said to Shyam, “A telescope is an instrument for collecting electro-magnetic radiations.” | Ram explained to Shyam that a tele-scope is an instrument for collecting electromagnetic radiations. |
EXERCISE 174.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. I said to him, “If you run, you can catch this bus.”
2. “Mohan, you have not finished your work even today,” said the teacher.
3. The mother said to her son, “All the biscuits are for you.”
4. John said to me, “I hope to win this prize.”
5. He said, “Rajiv, I shall go to Delhi next month.”
6. I said to him, “I am busy now.”
7. Father said to Gopal, “God is everywhere.”
8. Ashok said, “Father, I assure you, I shall not go to the picture again.”
9. Ravi said to me, “I shall certainly help you.”
10. I said to Anil, “You are not coming to school regularly.”
Interrogative: Solved
(a) My friend said to me, “Can you drink the wine?” (Direct)
My father asked me if I could drink the wine. (Indirect)
(b) He will say to her, “Are you not coming to us?” (Direct)
He will ask her if she is not coming to them. (Indirect)
(c ) The travel agent said, “Do you want to go by air or by sea ?” (Direct)
The travel agent asked whether I want to go buy air or by sea. (Indirect)
Change: how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why etc.
(a) I said to my wife, “What are you doing ?” (Direct)
I asked my wife what she was doing. (Indirect)
(b) He said to me, “Why did you strike me?” (Direct)
He asked me why I had struck him. (Indirect)
(c) Mother said to us, “Where are you going?” (Direct)
Mother enquired of us where we were going. (Indirect)
Interrogative Sentences with Answer
(a) He said to me, “Can you solve this sum?” I said, “No.” (Direct)
He asked me if I could solve that sum. I said, I couldn’t. (Indirect)
OR He asked me if I could solve that sum. I replied in negative. (Indirect)
(b) She said to me, “Do you know me?” I said, “Yes.” (Direct)
She asked me if I knew her. I replied in affirmative. (Indirect)
*He said to me, “Shall I pass?” (Direct)
He asked me if he would pass. (Indirect)
(a) He said, “Shall I ever see him again?” (speculation) (Direct)
He wondered if he would ever see him again. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “When shall I know the result of the exam?” (Direct)
He asked when he would know the result of the exam. (Indirect)
*He said, “What shall I say, father?” (Direct)
He asked his father what he should say (Indirect)
*Ram said, “Shall I lock the room or leave it unlocked?” (Direct)
Ram asked whether he should lock the room or leave it unlocked. (Indirect)
*He said to me, “ Shall I open the door ?” (Direct)
He asked me if he should open the door. (Indirect)
*He said, “Shall I bring you something to eat?” (Direct)
He offered to bring me something to eat. (Indirect)
*He said, “Shall we meet at the Hall?” (Direct)
He suggested meeting at the Hall. (Indirect)
(a) Ram said to me, “You are rich, aren’t you?” (Direct)
Ram asked me if I was rich. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “She is not an intelligent girl, is she?” (Direct)
He said if she was not an intelligent girl. (Indirect)
Beginning with will/would/could you Will you/ would you/ could you
(a) She said, “Will you be there on Sunday?” (Direct)
She asked if I would be there on Sunday. (Indirect)
(b) He said, “Would you like a lift?” (Direct)
He offered me a lift. (Indirect)
EXERCISE 175
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Ram said to Shyam, “Whose book is this?”
2. The teacher said to Leela, “Do you live in Bhagat Singh Street?”
3. My father said to me, “Why are you so eager to go to pictures today?”
4. I said to him, “Have you ever been to Delhi?”
5. I said to Rahul, “Were you absent yesterday?”
6. I said to the Principal, “Sir, may I go home?”
7. Bhola said to Mohan, “Why do you not help me?”
8. The visitor said to me, “Is your father at home?”
9. They said, “Who has won this trophy?”
10. “Which way did the thief go?” asked the policeman.
EXERCISE 176
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. He said to her, “Do you take part in the debate?”
2. He said to me, “Do you go to school?”
3. Kamla said to her mother, “Can I play in the courtyard?”
4. She said to me, “What did he do last night?”
5. Kamal said to Mohan, “When shall we have winter break?”
6. I said to her, “ Why did you do it ?”
7. He said to me, “Is your name Ram?”
8. Leela said to her mother, “Where have you placed my book?”
9. Ram said to me, “Can you solve this question?”
10. The painter said to me, “Which portrait do you like most?”
EXERCISE 177.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. I said to the postman, “Have you any letter for me?”
2. He said to me, “What will you do?”
3. Mohan said to me, “Why do you rebuke me for nothing?”
4. I said to him, “Which film did you see yesterday?”
5. The doctor said to young man, “Do you smoke now?”
6. I said to Anil, “Where do you live?”
7. She said to me, “Do I not accept your proposal?”
8. The doctor said to him, “What did you eat in the morning?”
9. Father said to his son, “What are you doing here?”
10. The doctor said to the patient, “Do you feel better now?”
EXERCISE 178.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. I said to him, “Did you not promise to come?”
2. Mohan said to me, “Can you help me?”
3. “Have you anything to say on behalf of the prisoner?” said the Judge to the lawyer.
4. He said to Hari, “Is your father at home?”
5. He said to Sunil, “Where will you sleep?”
6. I said to Smith, “Do you study in eighth class?”
7. The teacher said to the stranger, “Who are you?”
8. Akbar asked me if I could tell him the way to the bus stand.
9. The Manager said to her, “Do you want to open an account?”
10. He said to me, “Have you written this book?”
| Direct | Indirect |
| The old man said, “Do not make a noise.” | The old man forbade to make a noise. |
| I said, “Ram, Give up smoking.” | I advised Ram to give up smoking. |
| He said to Ram, “Do have a cup of tea, ” | He requested Ram to have a cup of tea. |
| 4. The Manager said to the servant, “Go and post this letter.” | The Manager ordered the servant to go and post that letter. |
| 5. The General said to his men, “Attack the enemy.” | The General commanded his men to attack the enemy. |
| 6. Mother said to her son, “Do what you are told.” | Mother asked her son to do what he was told. |
| 7. She said to me, “Do not go farther.” | She warned me not to go farther. |
| 8. “Come quickly”, he shouted, “and help me.” | He shouted to them to come quickly and help him. |
| 9. The beggar said to the traveller, | The beggar begged the traveller to give |
| “Give me some money, please.” | him some money. |
| 10. Ram said, “Be quiet and listen to me.” | Ram urged them to be quiet and listen to him. |
| 11. I said to him, “Open the door, will you?” | I asked him to open the door. |
EXERCISE 179.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. The captain said to the soldiers, “March forward and take your positions.”
2. He said to her, “Do not take part in games.”
3. The mother said to Leela, “Do not waste your time.”
4. The king said to his servants, “Go away at once.”
5. The old man said to his sons, “Do not quarrel with one another.”
6. I said to the students, “Work regularly.”
7. The General said to the soldiers, “March forward and attack the foe.”
8. Ram said to me, “Please, lend me your umbrella.”
9. Darshana said to her servant, “Bring a glass of water.”
10. “Work hard if you want to pass,” said the teacher.
EXERCISE 180.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. He said to me, “Don’t go out.”
2. The teacher said to Mohan, “Improve your handwriting if you want to pass.”
3. Father said to his son, “Do not mix up with bad boys.”
4. The teacher said to me, “Don’t write on walls.”
5. He said to them, “Please do not enter my room without my permission.”
6. Rahul said to his friends, “Attend my sister’s marriage.”
7. The father said to the son, “Go and start reading.”
8. I said to my father, “Allow me to go on an educational trip, please.”
9. I said to my father, “Please, give me some money.”
10. The teacher said to us, “Do not shout in the class.”
EXERCISE 181.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. “Tell the truth”, said the judge to the witness.
2. The teacher said to Isha, “Stand upon the bench.”
3. Harinder said to me, “Please, help me in this matter.”
4. He said, “Do not tease the poor.”
5. The teacher said to the student, “Do not copy.”
6. Ram said to his father, “Please, bring me a pen.”
7. The doctor said to me, “Take medicine in time.”
8. Ram said to her, “Go there.”
9. The mother said to her son, “Respect your elders.”
10. The teacher said to the boys, “Don’t waste your time.”
| Direct | Indirect |
| He said to me, “May you Live long !” | He prayed that I might live long. |
| He said, “If I were a king!” | He wished that he would be a king. |
| She said, “Oh for a glass of water.” | She wished for a glass of water. |
| 4. They said, “Long live the Indo-Russian friendship.” | They wished/ prayed that the Indo-Russian friendship should live long. |
| 5. The boy said, “Papa! forgive me this time.” | The boy requested his Papa to forgive him that time. |
| 6. “God save the king !”, said the people | The people prayed that God might save the king. |
| 7. He said to me, “ Good morning, Sir !” | He respectfully wished me good morning. |
| 8. She said, “Good-bye, friends!” | She bade his friends good-bye. |
| 9. He said, “Good night, friends!” | He bade a good night to all his friends. |
| 10. They said, “May his soul rest in peace !” | They wished that his soul might rest in peace. |
EXERCISE 182.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech:
1. He said, “May you succeed in the examination!”
2. He said to me, “May you be happy!.”
3. We said, “God save the P.M!”
4. The woman said to him, “May God bless you!”
5. “May God bless you with fame and prosperity!” said the beggar.
6. Ram said to me, “May God bless you!”
7. The old man said, “O, I had a son!”
8. The leader said, “Farewell, my friends and countrymen!”
9. He said, “Long live our friendship!”
10. The girl said, “Mother! forgive me this time.”
| INTERJECTIONS | ADVERBS | |
| 1. | Alas!, Ah! | exclaimed with sorrow/ exclaimed sorrowfully/ confessed with regret |
| 2. | Hurrah!, Aha!, Ha! | exclaimed with joy/ exclaimed joyfully |
| 3. | Bravo! | applauded/ praised |
| 4. | Bravo! Hear! | applauded saying |
| 5. | Oh!, What!, How! | exclaimed with surprise |
| 6. | Sorry! | exclaimed with regret |
| 7. | Pooh!, Pshaw! | exclaimed with contempt |
| 8. | ‘What, How’ | very/ great/ big/ fine |
| Direct | Indirect | |
| 1. | The old woman said, “Ah! I am ruined. | The old woman exclaimed with sorrow that she was ruined. |
| 2. | He said to me, “How lucky your brother is!” | He exclaimed with surprise that my brother was very lucky. |
| 3. | They said, “Hurrah! we have passed.’’ | They exclaimed with joy that they had passed. |
| 4. | He said, “O, What a chance!” | He exclaimed that it was a fine chance. |
| 5. | You said, “Well done ! my friends.” | You applauded your friends saying that they had done well. |
| 6. | He said, “What a great misery!” | He exclaimed that it was very great misery. |
| 7. | The student said, “Alas! I wasted my time last year.” | The student confessed with regret that he had wasted his time the previous year. |
| 8. | The Captain said, “Bravo! Well done my boys.” | The Captain applauded his boys that they had done well. |
| 9. | “Alas! I have lost my belongings in the marriage.” said Ramesh. | Ramesh exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his belongings in the marriage. |
| 10. | “What a charming scenery!” the tourist said. | The tourist exclaimed with delight that it was very charming scenery. |
EXERCISE 183.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech:
1. She said, “How beautiful the moonlight is!”
2. The boys said, “Hurrah! tomorrow is a holiday.”
3. She said, “O that ! I were extremely beautiful.”
4. He said, “ What a beautiful picture it is!”
5. Aruna said, “What a beautiful doll!”
6. The old lady said, “Alas! I have met with an accident.”
7. The captain said to the players, “Bravo! you have won.”
8. The headmaster said to Hari, “How well you sing!”
9. The team said, “Hurrah! we have won the match.”
10. I said to Mohan, “What a powerful shot it is!”
| Direct | Indirect | |
| (a) | She said to me, “Let us go to market.” | She suggested me that we should go to market. Or She suggested me to go to market. |
| (b) | “Let us buy a new car, ” said Ram to Shyam. | Ram proposed to Shyam that they should buy a new car. |
| (c) | “Let us employ expert professionals in the company,” said the Managing Director to the Marketing Manager. | The Managing Director suggested the Marketing Manager that they should employ expert professionals in the company. |
| Direct | Indirect | |
| 1. | He said to me, “Let us study together.” | He proposed to me that we should study together. |
| 2. | Ram said to me, “Let us sing together.” | Ram proposed to me that we should sing together. |
| 3. | She said, “Let’s go for a walk.” | She suggested going for a walk. |
| 4. | Ram said to his boss, “Let me go home.” | Ram requested his boss to allow him to go home. |
| 5. | The officer said to the peon, “Let the man come in.” | The officer ordered the peon to allow the man to come in. |
| 6. | Ram said to Sita, “Let the children go to play.” | Ram ordered Sita to let the children go to play.or Ram told Sita that the children might be allowed to go to play. |
| 7. | I said to him, “ Let me go home.” | I requested him to let me go home. |
EXERCISE 184.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. I said to him, “Let me go home.”
2. She said to Mohan, “Let us go home.”
3. The teacher said, “ Let him work ever so hard, he cannot pass the examination.”
4. He said to me, “Let the child play.”
5. The captain said, “Let us play a friendly match.”
6. Parbhat said to me, “Let us write an essay on this topic.”
7. Mohan said to me, “Let us wait for the next train.”
8. Ram said to his wife, “Let us go for shopping.”
9. I said to him, “Please let me come in.”
10. She said to me, “Let us go to see the exhibition.”
EXERCISE 185.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. The Principal said to the peon, “Let the boys go away.”
2. He said to the servant, “Let the boy go home.”
3. He said to the peon, “Let the visitor come in.”
4. Ram said to me, “Let us go to movies.”
5. The pilgrims said, “Let us stop here and rest for a while.”
6. I said to him, “Let us play in the garden.”
7. He said to me, “Let us play the game.”
8. The teacher said to the Principal, “Let the students sit in the sun.”
9. I said to the villagers, “Let’s help the injured men.”
10. He said to me, “Let us go for a walk.”
EXERCISE 186.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. He said to Hari, “Did you enjoy the show ? ” 2. “What a foolish action it was!”, said the lion.
3. The teacher said to the student, “Why have you not done your work?”
4. Manju said, “The birds fly.”
5. Those boys say, “Our teacher loves us.”
6. He said, “This is my book.”
7. The peon said to me, “The manager will call you soon.”
8. I said to Anil, “Look at the map.”
9. The old beggar said to the young man, “May God grant you peace of mind.! ”
10. The passenger said, “How foolish I have been!”
EXERCISE 187.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Mohan said, “I won a prize.”
2. Mary said, “It is my new book.”
3. Ram said, “Radha sings sweetly.”
4. She said, “He is taking his examination.”
5. She said to me, “I was not doing him a favour.”
6. I said, “Hurrah! we have succeeded.”
7. I said to Rahul, “Do not worry.”
8. He said to me. “Congratulations! how many marks have you got?”
9. He said, “Man is mortal.”
10. You said to me, “You are making a noise in the class.”
EXERCISE 188.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. I said to them, “You have cheated me.”
2. I said to her, “It will not be raining tomorrow.”
3. He will say to me, “I can help you.”
4. Manish said, “I completed my home-work at night.”
5. Varun said, “I will come here again tomorrow.”
6. Vinod said, “I go to my office at 10 O’ clock.”
7. She said to me, “I took the breakfast in the morning.”
8. He said to me, “The rain will have stopped.”
9. He said to me, “The dog barks at the children.”
10. He said to me, “We went to college yesterday.”
EXERCISE 189.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Rahim said to his brother, “Fortune favours the brave.”
2. She said to me, “Your song appealed us.”
3. He said to me, “Let us work together.”
4. He said to me, “I shall not come.”
5. Rahul said to me, “I posted your letter.”
6. They said to me, “We shall help you tomorrow.”
7. He said to me, “I cannot lend you my watch today.”
8. Kiran said to me, “It is my doll.”
9. She said to her mother, “It is no longer safe to live here.”
10. Mohan says, “I have done my work.”
EXERCISE 190.
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. The teacher said, “The sun is stationary.”
2. Ram said to me, “It is my doll.”
3. Charu said to me, “Can you help me ?”
4. I said to Kaushik, “Where do you live ?”
5. Sohan said, “May I use your pen, Mohan ?”
6. Sita said to Ram, “You are my lord.”
7. Mohan said to Harish, “I have prepared the breakfast.”
8. The teacher said, “You will pass.”
9. Ram said, “Yes, I made a mistake.”
10. She said, “Oh! you are here.”
EXERCISE 191
Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
1. Ram said, “Shyam can jump over the wall.”
2. He said to me, “You may ask your brother to help you.”
3. He said, “I came to this village long ago.”
4. Sita said, “Ram is my husband.”
5. My friend said to me, “Join my company.”
6. He said, “Hurrah! my brother has won a lottery.”
7. The manager said to the peon, “Let the man come in.”
8. They said, “We shall go to school.”
9. Ram said to me, “I may go home.”
10. She said to me, “She is quite well.”
ANSWER KEY:
Answer EX. 166.
1. She says that Titu is a good boy.
2. Raman told Kamlesh that it was getting dark.
3. He said that he would definitely do that work.
4. He will tell me that he is ill.
5. I said that I had passed the examination.
6. I told him that he would stand first in the class.
7. He says that it will not rain.
8. She told me that she had seen the zoo twice.
9. She told him that she would not marry him.
10. He will say that he is very busy.
Answer EX. 167
1. He said that they would not have dug the well.
2. He told me that he did not disobey the teacher.
3. Ram said that he had visited Delhi the previous year.
4. He said that she had been working very hard for two years.
5. He said that his brother was reading his book.
6. She told me that she had been listening to the running commentary.
7. He said that it had been raining since morning.
8. He said that he was milking the cow.
9. I told him that he had been quarrelling with her.
10. He told me that he had been singing a song for ten minutes.
Answer EX. 168.
1. Darshan said that Sangita might catch the train.
2. She said that he might pass the examination.
3. The doctor said that he might eat everything freely.
4. He said that he would pass.
5. I told him that he ought to help the poor.
6. The old man said that he could not walk on foot then.
7. The teacher said that he might be allowed to go.
8. He told me that he would like to see the minister.
9. He said that he could solve those sums easily.
10. He said that he knew the place well because he used to live there.
Answer EX. 169.
1. Ranjeet said that he goes out for a walk daily.
2. The maid-servant said that she is always in time.
3. She said that the earth rotates on its own axis.
4. Mohan told me that fire burns.
5. He said that man lives by bread.
6. I said that two and two make four.
7. Newton said that the earth is a big magnet.
8. I said that my uncle drinks daily.
9. The teacher said that the sun is stationary.
10. He said that Shimla is not hot in summer.
Answer EX. 170.
1. They told me that they would not call their parents.
2. The old man said that he would tell the truth.
3. You said that you were going to school.
4. Ram told Sita that she was his wife.
5. He told you that he was a fool.
6. He told me that he had been preparing his lesson the previous day.
7. She tells him that he is not kind to her.
8. Mohan told Gita that he might go there himself.
9. He told her that she was in the right.
10. Sita said that she was going to school.
Answer EX. 171.
1. She said that we should always speak the truth.
2. The manager told them that they had not paid their bill.
3. He told her that she was a good girl.
4. He told me that I was a good boy.
5. Sohan told me that it was a beautiful garden.
6. You told me that he was a fool.
7. They said that he would not object the proposal.
8. They said that they were going to school.
9. He said that he was doing his work.
10. The teacher told the boys that they had done their work.
Answer EX. 172.
1. The teacher told them that they were careless about their studies.
2. Ram told me that he should mind his own business.
3. He told you that you were a good boy.
4. Govaskar said that Sachin would be a good Captain.
5. He told me that she was tall and slim.
6. The master told me that I had become lazy.
7. Your father told you that you were a good girl.
8. He told me that he would not meet me.
9. Sushma said that she respected her teachers.
10. Manorama said that they were wasting their time.
Answer EX. 173.
1. He said that he would stay there that night.
2. She said that here she lived for ten years.
3. He told me that I did not help him.
4. Rakesh told Sunil that he could not buy that book the previous day.
5. She said that she had lost three pens there.
6. He said that Ram had come there.
7. She said that she had seen that picture.
8. I said that it might rain the next day.
9. He said that everybody was here.
10. Ramesh said that Mukesh would buy it then.
Answer EX. 174.
1. I told him that if he ran, he could catch that bus.
2. The teacher told Mohan that he had not finished his work even that day.
3. The mother told her son that all the biscuits were for him.
4. John told me that he hoped to win that prize.
5. He told Rajiv that he would go to Delhi the following month.
6. I told him that I was busy then.
7. Father told Gopal that God is everywhere.
8. Ashok assured his father that he would not go to the picture again.
9. Ravi told me that he would certainly help me.
10. I told Anil that he was not going to school regularly.
Answer EX. 175.
1. Ram asked Shyam whose book that was.
2. The teacher asked Leela if she lived in Bhagat Singh Street.
3. My father asked me why I was so eager to go to pictures that day.
4. I inquired of him if he had ever been to Delhi.
5. I asked Rahul if he had been absent the previous day.
6. I asked the Principal respectfully if I might go home.
7. Bhola asked Mohan why he did not help him.
8. The visitor asked me if my father was at home.
9. They asked who had won that trophy.
10. The policeman inquired which way the thief had gone.
Answer EX. 176.
1. He asked her if she took part in the debate.
2. He asked me whether I went to school.
3. Kamla asked her mother if she could play in the courtyard.
4. She asked me what he had done the previous night.
5. Kamal asked Mohan when they would have winter break.
6. I asked her why she had done it.
7. He asked me if my name was Ram.
8. Leela asked her mother where she had placed her book.
9. Ram asked me if I could solve that question.
10. The painter asked me which portrait I liked most.
Answer EX. 177.
1. I asked the postman if he had any letter for me.
2. He asked me what I would do.
3. Mohan asked me why I rebuked him for nothing.
4. I asked him which film he had seen the previous day.
5. The doctor asked the young man whether (or if) he smoked then.
6. I asked Anil where he lived.
7. She asked me if she did not accept my proposal.
8. The doctor asked him what he had eaten in the morning.
9. Father asked his son what he was doing there.
10. The doctor asked the patient if he felt better then.
Answer EX. 178.
1. I asked him whether he had not promised to come.
2. Mohan asked me if I could help him.
3. The judge asked the lawyer if he had to say anything on behalf of the prisoner.
4. He asked Hari if his father was at home.
5. He asked Sunil where he would sleep.
6. I asked Smith if he studied in the eighth class.
7. The teacher asked the stranger who he was.
8. Akbar said to me, “Can you tell me the way to the bus stand ?”
9. The manager asked her if she wanted to open an account.
10. He asked me if I had written that book.
Answer EX. 179.
1. The captain commanded the soldiers to forward and take their positions.
2. He advised her not to take part in games.
3. The mother advised Leela not to waste her time.
4. The king ordered his servants to go away at once.
5. The old man advised his sons not to quarrel with one another.
6. I advised the students to work regularly.
7. The General commanded the soldiers to march forward and attack the foe.
8. Ram requested me to lend him my umbrella.
9. Darshana ordered her servant to bring a glass of water.
10. The teacher advised him to work hard if he wanted to pass.
Answer EX. 180.
1. He forbade me to go out.
2. The teacher advised Mohan to improve his handwriting if he wanted to pass.
3. Father forbade his son to mix up with bad boys.
4. The teacher forbade me to write on walls.
5. He requested them, not to enter his room without his permission.
6. Rahul asked his friends to attend his sister’s marriage.
7. The father ordered the son to go and start reading.
8. I requested my father to allow me to go on an educational trip.
9. I requested my father to give me some money.
10. The teacher advised us not to shout in the class.
Answer EX. 181.
1. The judge asked the witness to tell the truth.
2. The teacher ordered Isha to stand up on the bench.
3. Harinder requested me to help him in that matter.
4. He forbade to tease the poor.
5. The teacher advised the student not to copy.
6. Ram requested his father to bring him a pen.
7. The doctor advised me to take medicine in time.
8. Ram ordered her to go there.
9. The mother advised her son to respect his elders.
10. The teacher advised the boys not to waste their time.
Answer EX. 182.
1. He wished/ prayed that I might succeed in the examination.
2. He wished that I might be happy.
3. We prayed that God might save the P.M.
4. The woman prayed that God might bless him.
5. The beggar prayed that God might bless him with fame and prosperity.
6. Ram prayed that God might bless me.
7. The old man earnestly desired for having a son.
8. The leader bade his friends and countrymen farewell.
9. He wished/ prayed that their friendship might live long.
10. The girl requested her mother to forgive her that time.
Answer EX. 183
1. She exclaimed that the moonlight was very beautiful.
2. The boys exclaimed with joy that the next day was a holiday.
3. She eagerly wished that she had been extremely beautiful.
4. He exclaimed with wonder that it was a very beautiful picture.
5. Aruna exclaimed with surprise that the doll was very beautiful.
6. The old lady exclaimed with sorrow that she had met with an accident.
7. The captain praised/ applauded the players saying that they had won.
8. The headmaster praised Hari saying that he sang well.
9. The team exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
10. I praised Mohan saying that it was a very powerful shot.
Answer EX. 184.
1. I requested him that I might be allowed to go home.
2. She proposed to Mohan that they should go home.
3. The teacher said that he could not pass the examination, however hard he might work.
4. He asked me to let the child play.
5. The captain proposed that we should play a friendly match.
6. Parbhat proposed to me that we should write an essay on that topic.
7. Mohan proposed to me that we should wait for the next train.
8. Ram suggested to his wife that they should go for shopping.
9. I requested him to let me come in.
10. She proposed to me that we go to see the exhibition.
Answer EX. 185.
1. The Principal ordered the peon to let the boys go away.
2. He ordered the servant to let the boy go home.
3. He ordered the peon that the visitor might be allowed to come in.
4. Ram proposed to me that we should go to movies.
5. The pilgrims suggested that they should stop there and rest for a while.
6. I proposed to him that we should play in the garden.
7. He proposed to me that we should play the game.
8. The teacher suggested to the Principal that the students might be allowed to sit in the sun.
9. I suggested to the villagers that we should help the injured men.
10. He suggested to me that we should go for a walk.
Answer EX. 186.
1. He asked Hari if he had enjoyed the show.
2. The lion exclaimed with regret that it had been a very foolish action.
3. The teacher asked the student why he had not done his work.
4. Manju said that the birds fly.
5. Those boys say that their teacher loves them.
6. He said that that was his book.
7. The peon told me that the manager would call me soon.
8. I asked Anil to look at the map.
9. The old beggar wished that God might grant peace of mind to the young man.
10. The passenger exclaimed with regret that he had been very foolish.
Answer EX. 187.
1. Mohan said that he had won a prize.
2. Mary said that it was her new book.
3. Ram said that Radha sang sweetly.
4. She said that he was taking his examination.
5. She told me that she had not been doing him a favour.
6. I exclaimed with joy that we had succeeded.
7. I advised Rahul not to worry.
8. He congratulated me and asked how many marks I had got.
9. He said that man is mortal.
10. You told me that I was making a noise in the class.
Answer EX. 188.
1. I told them that they had cheated me.
2. I told her that it would not be raining the next day.
3. He will tell me that he can help me.
4. Manish said that he had completed his home work at night.
5. Varun said that he would go there again the next day.
6. Vinod said that he goes to his office at 10 O’ clock.
7. She told me that she had taken the breakfast in the morning.
8. He told me that the rain would have stopped.
9. He told me that the dog barked at the children.
10. He told me that they had gone to college the previous day.
Answer EX. 189.
1. Rahim told his brother that fortune favours the brave.
2. She told me that my song had appealed them.
3. He proposed to me that we should work together.
4. He told me that he would not come.
5. Rahul told me that he had posted my letter.
6. They told me that they would help me the next day.
7. He told me that he could not lend me his watch that day.
8. Kiran told me that it was her doll.
9. She told her mother that it was no longer safe to live there.
10. Mohan says that he has done his work.
Answer EX. 190.
1. The teacher said that the sun is stationary.
2. Ram told me that it was his doll.
3. Charu asked me if I could help him.
4. I asked Kaushik where he lived.
5. Sohan asked Mohan if he might use his pen.
6. Sita told Ram that he was her lord.
7. Mohan told Harish that he had prepared the breakfast.
8. The teacher said that he would pass.
9. Ram admitted that he had made a mistake.
10. She was surprised to find me there.
Answer EX. 191.
1. Ram said that Shyam could jump over the wall.
2. He told me that I I might ask my brother to help me.
3. He said that he had gone to that village long before.
4. Sita said that Ram was her husband.
5. My friend asked me to join his company.
6. He exclaimed with joy that his brother had won a lottery.
7. The manager ordered the peon to allow the man to come in.
8. They said that they would go to school.
9. Ram told me that he might go home.
10. She told me that she was quite well.