INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
SCHOOLS
Direct and Indirect Speech Rules
Reported Speech is also known as Direct and Indirect Speech or
Narration. In Indirect Speech, we convey the speaker’s message in our
own words. Thus, the message can be conveyed in 2 ways.
1. Direct Speech
2. Indirect Speech
Direct speech is known as repeating the exact words spoken and Indirect
speech is known as reporting the words.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Can Could
May Might
Must Had to/ Would have to
Should Should
Might Might
Could Could
Would Would
Ought to Ought to
Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Modals:
Look to the Direct and Indirect Speech examples with answers using
modals.
1. He said, “I can cook food.”
He said that he could cook food.
2. They said, “We may go to Canada.”
They said that they might go to Canada.
3. She said, “I must finish the work on time.”
She said that she had to finish the work on time.
Changes as per Tense
In the below table, we are sharing how tense changes into Indirect
speech.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Present simple Past simple
(Subject +V1st + Object) (Subject +V2 + Object)
Present continuous
Past Continuous
(Subject +is/am/are+V1 +ing+
(Subject +was/were+V1 +ing+ Object)
Object)
Present perfect Past perfect
(Subject +
(Subject+had+V3+Object)
has/have+V3+Object)
Past simple Past perfect
(Subject+V2+Object) (Subject+had+V3+Object)
Past Continuous
Past perfect continuous
(Subject +was/were+V1 +ing+
(Subject +had been+V1 +ing+ Object)
Object)
Future simple Present Conditional
(Subject+ will/shall+V1+object) (Subject+ would+V1+object)
Future Continuous Conditional Continuous
(Subject +will/shall+be+V1 (Subject +would+be+V1 +ing+
+ing+ Object) Object)
Changes in Place and Time
Words are changed in an Indirect Speech to replace nearness from
distance. In the table, we are sharing some words which are changed in
Indirect speech.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Now Then
Here There
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day
Last week The previous week
This That
Tonight That night
Ago Before
Thus So
Hither Thither
Come Go
Hence Thence
Next Following
Changes of Pronouns
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
I He/she
You He/she/they
We They
They They
He He
She She
It It
Us Them
Our Their
His His
Her Her
Its Its