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Direct Speech is when we state or write exactly what someone else has said.

Indirect speech is the form we use to speak about what others tell us.

Rules

1. Reported speech of the direct narration is always enclosed within inverted
commas. Indirect speech is never enclosed within inverted commas.

2. When the reported speech is an assertive sentence, the conjunction that is used
to introduce the reported speech.
3. When transforming a sentence from direct to indirect speech, the tenses of finite
verbs, personal pronouns and adverbs of time and place generally change.

4. Tenses and adverbs of time and place are determined by the tense of the
reporting verb.
For example,

• Mohan said, ‘I am going to market tomorrow to buy some clothes.’

Mohan said that he was going to market the next day to buy some clothes.

Assertive Sentences

Change in Tenses

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Simple Present Simple Past

He said, ‘I study every day.’ He said that he studied every day.

Present Continuous Past Continuous

She said, ‘He is playing the violin.’ She said that he was playing the violin.

Present Perfect Past Perfect

He said, ‘I have visited Delhi twice.’ He said that he had visited Delhi twice.

Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Jimmy said, ‘I have been failing in Jimmy said that he had been failing in
Maths far too often.’ Maths far too often.

Simple Past Past Perfect
Lara said, ‘Frank bought a new car.’ Lara said that Frank had bought a new
car.

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