Grammar Practice Worksheets

Direct &
Reported Speech
Table of Contents
2 Grammar Notes
Direct & Reported Speech

6 Exercise 1
Punctuation

7 Exercise 2
Find the Error

8 Exercise 3
Reported to Direct Speech

9 Exercise 4
Direct to Reported Speech

10 Exercise 5
Direct to Reported Speech

11 Exercise 6
Find the Error

12 Exercise 7
Multiple-Choice

13 Exercise 8
Direct to Reported Speech

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 1
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes
DIRECT & REPORTED SPEECH

A. Direct Speech

Direct speech is mainly used to write dialogue or quoted speech.

Read how to punctuate direct speech below.

Position of
Instructions Examples
Quoted Speech

1. Place a comma after the subject and • The doctor said, “Take
reporting verb (said, commented, added, your medicine every day.”
explained, yelled, etc.)
• The professor said,
2. Insert the first set of quotation marks. “We will have a test
tomorrow afternoon.”
at the 3. Begin the sentence or phrase inside the
end of a  quotation marks with a capital letter. • The candidate commented,
sentence “I have always been honest.”
4. Place the correct punctuation (period,
question mark, exclamation point, etc.) • Victor asked, “Why do
at the end of the sentence. you always come late?”

5. Insert the second set of quotation • The coach screamed, “You

marks after the punctuation. have to play harder than this!”

• “I have always loved you,”

1. Begin with the first set of quotation marks. Kil Yi whispered.

2. Capitalize the first letter of the sentence. • “Take your bags and
report to section five!”
3. At the end of the sentence, place a comma,
the sergeant screamed.
at the question mark, or exclamation mark
beginning of (not a period). • “Why do you always bother me?”
a sentence the trainer asked.
4. Insert the second set of
quotation marks after the comma. • “Please don’t take my purse,”
Laura pleaded.
5. Insert the subject and reporting verb,
and end the sentence with a period. • “Those roses are fantastic!”
Emily exclaimed.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 2
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes cont.

A. Direct Speech cont.

Position of
Instructions Examples
Quoted Speech

• “I think,” Bob commented, “that

1. Begin with the first set of quotation marks. this is the worst day of my life.”

2. Capitalize the first letter of the sentence. • “Could you please explain,”
Karen asked, “why you are
3. At the end of the first part of the quote,
always so rude?”
place a comma and quotation marks.
• “I really feel,” Victoria said,
split by the 4. Insert the subject and reporting verb,
“that you are 100% wrong.”
subject and and follow the verb with a comma.
the verb • “Pick up your registration forms
5. Include another set of quotation marks
in Room 122,” the counselor
and begin the second part of the quote
stated, “and go to the gym
with the lower case.
with your ID.”
6. Punctuate the end of the sentence.
• “I have never stolen anything,”
7. Include the second set of quotation marks. Fred said, “and I have never
lied, either.”

B. Indirect or Reported Speech

Reported speech is commonly used in speaking and writing.

It is important to note that most verb tenses will change from
direct to reported speech. The chart on the next page shows
the most common verb and modal changes.

Back It Up!
Usually the tense change from direct to reported
speech involves a backward move into the past.

• simple present  simple past

• simple past  past perfect

etc.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 3
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes cont.

B. Indirect or Reported Speech cont.

Direct Speech Tense Reported Speech Tense Example

Simple Present Simple Past “I love you.”  She said that she loved me.

“I am going to the party.”  

Present Progressive Past Progressive
He said that he was going to the party.

“I have already eaten.”  

Present Perfect Past Perfect
She said that she had already eaten.

Simple Past Past Perfect “I arrived on time.”  He said that he had arrived on time.

“I was sleeping.”  
Past Progressive Past Perfect Progressive
She said that she had been sleeping.

“You will have a test on Thursday.”  

Simple Future Conditional
The professor said that we would have a test on Thursday.

“I will be traveling to Spain.”  

Future Progressive Conditional Progressive
She said that she would be traveling to Spain.

“Eat your vegetables.”  

Imperative Infinitive
My mother told me to eat my vegetables.

Can “You can eat whatever you want.”  

Could
(modal of ability) The doctor said that I could eat whatever I wanted.

Could Could “It could rain on the day of the big game.”  
(modal of possibility) (no change) She said that it could rain on the day of the big game.

Might Might “We might go skiing on the weekend.”  

(modal of possibility) (no change) They said that they might go skiing on the weekend.

May “She may travel abroad in summer.”  

Might
(modal of possibility) He said that she might travel abroad in summer.

Should Should “You should eat more vegetables.”  

(modal of advice) (no change) My mother said that I should eat more vegetables.

Must “You must complete the report by 5:00.”  

Had To
(modal of obligation) My boss said that I had to complete the report by 5:00.

Have To “She has to finish the report by 5:00.”  

Had To
(modal of obligation) She said that she had to finish the report by 5:00.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 4
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes cont.

C. Notes

Note #1 Note #4
A simple present verb can be reported in the simple Use said without a direct object.
present instead of the past when the action has just
� Jim said that he was coming.
occurred or if the statement is a well-known fact.
� Jim said me that he was coming.
• Ruth said that she loves me.

• Ruth always tells me that she loves me.

Note #5
Note #2 Use told with a direct object.

Sometimes, when making predictions, the reporting � The teacher told me to come early.
verb is in the simple future and the other clause is in � The teacher told to come early.
the simple present.

• My mother will say that she is too sick to go.

Note #6
In reporting imperatives (commands),
Note #3 remember to use the correct negative
The relative pronoun that used after the reporting infinitive form (not + infinitive).
verb is optional, but commonly used. There is no • Rosita told me not to eat cake before dinner.
difference in meaning.

� Margo said that she would call

me after breakfast tomorrow.

� Margo said she would call me

after breakfast tomorrow.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 5
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 1
PUNCTUATION

Punctuate the following sentences.

Use direct speech. Use capital letters where necessary.

1. John said I am very happy to meet you

2. The doctor said you should cut down on your salt intake

3. Natasha explained I am here to learn not to fool around

4. Pack your bags and get out of here screamed the landlord

5. I believe Toshiko said that you are holding my bag

6. Can you tell me how to get to Route 17 Atsuko asked

7. The fastest way out is through the library Robert explained

8. The professor said we will have a test on Friday

9. Boris yelled where are my new shoes

10. I think that you are wrong Oleg stated and I also feel that you don’t understand the subject at all

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 6
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 2
FIND THE ERROR

Circle one or more mistakes in each sentence,

and write the correct sentences below.

1. “I will come on time.” the doctor said.

2. “Do you love me” Russell asked.

3. “I will never leave you.” Paula explained. “And I will always be there for you.”

4. Cynthia said, “Please tell me what to do”.

5. Bob exclaimed You just stole my wallet!

6. “Can you please. Maria asked, “Tell me where is the library.”

7. Boomer said my parents are leaving right away.

8. “Where are my shoes Bill asked.

9. Hee Won said i am sorry to hear about that”.

10. Grandpa always said always to dress nicely the first time you meet someone.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 7
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 3
REPORTED TO DIRECT SPEECH

Change the sentences with reported speech to sentences with direct speech.

1. The professor said that he would correct the tests on Saturday.

2. Natalia asked where the cafeteria was.

3. The doctor explained that he would operate on Tuesday.

4. My mother said that she was tired.

5. Greta told me not to leave so early.

6. Mark said that he could speak four languages.

7. Shirley told me to take notes in biology class.

8. My sister said that we would leave early Sunday morning.

9. Hideyuki explained that he was feeling sick.

10. Harold asked why I was wearing such old clothes.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 8
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 4
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Report these sentences, beginning with “Lisa said that...”

1. “We must leave at 6:00.”

Lisa said that

2. “My birthday will be a special day.”

3. “I may go to the movies after class.”

4. “Letitia has to come to the party.”

5. “I might not come with you to the restaurant.”

6. “It will probably rain on Thursday.”

7. “Paul won’t remember to call me.”

8. “Julie can give her presentation after Hanna.”

9. “Juan will never do it on time.”

10. “You should buy a new pair of shoes for the dance.”

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 9
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 5
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Report these sentences, beginning with “The professor said that...”

When an infinitive verb is required, use “The professor told us...”

1. “We will have a test on Monday.”

The professor said that

2. “We are going to study conditionals.”

3. “Study hard!”

4. “The exam is easy.”

5. “You should bring a dictionary to class.”

6. “Don’t cheat!”

7. “Leave when you are finished.”

8. “I am going to correct the tests on the weekend.”

9. “You can take the tests home.”

10. “The class will end on Wednesday, August 7.”

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 10
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 6
FIND THE ERROR

Circle one or more mistakes in each sentence,

and write the correct sentences below.

1. Rosa said that she will come early to the meeting.

2. The doctor said me not eat so much beef.

3. Olivia told that she will be late.

4. The counselor told me not take any more literature classes.

5. Maria Pia said that she is not going to Colombia.

6. Kil Yi said that he is gonna leave at 6:00.

7. Victor said never to cheat on exams.

8. Isabella said me that she will not never marry me.

9. My mother told me cook dinner myself.

10. Elise said that she has already eat.

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 11
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 7
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Choose the correct answer.

1. “I can’t drive a truck,” Bill said. Bill said that     . 6. “We should study harder,” Samantha said.
Samantha said     .
a) he couldn’t drive a truck
b) couldn’t he drive a truck a) we must study harder
b) we should study harder
2. “Where is Piadora?” Carmine asked.
Carmine asked     . 7. “I am going to Montreal tomorrow,” Jesse said.
Jesse said     .
a) where was Piadora
b) where Piadora was a) that she was going to Montreal the next day.
b) that she is going to Montreal the next day.
3. “You will have another chance to raise your grade,”
the professor said. The professor said that     . 8. “Is this your coat?” Gee asked.
Gee asked me     .
a) we will have another chance to raise our grades
b) we would have another a) if that was my coat
chance to raise our grades b) if that is my coat

4. “You must stop taking those pills,” the doctor 9. “Can you help me?” Irina asked.
explained. The doctor explained that I     . Irina asked me     .

a) had to stop taking those pills a) if I can help her

b) can stop taking those pills b) if I could help her

5. “Get out of here!” the clerk told me. 10. “I have already studied this unit,” Ned said.
The clerk told me     . Ned said     .

a) to get out of there a) he has already studied that unit
b) that I should get out of there b) he had already studied that unit

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 12
 Direct & Reported Speech
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 8
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Change the sentences with direct speech to sentences with

reported speech. Pay particular attention to the verb tenses.

1. “You can play the piano well.” 6. “Don’t speed anymore!” the police officer said.

John said that I The police officer told me

2. “Leave when you finish the test.” 7. “You should study the past tense,” the teacher said.

The teacher told us The teacher said that

3. “I am not going to eat the whole chicken.” 8. “Cut the grass after lunch.”

Carlos said that he My father told me

4. “Don’t take the last one.” 9. “I am going to Philadelphia in May.”

My mother told me Bob said that he

5. “The painter will begin work on Monday.” 10. “Ranklin will win the election.”

My brother explained that The governor predicted that

Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 13