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Direct And Indirect Speech Rules

Rules for converting Direct into Indirect speech

To change a sentence of direct speech into indirect speech there are various factors that are considered,

such as reporting verbs, modals, time, place, pronouns, tenses, etc. We will discuss each of these factors

one by one.

Rule 1 – Direct To Indirect Speech Conversion – Reporting Verb

1.When the reporting verb of direct speech is in past tense then all the present tenses are changed to the

corresponding past tense in indirect speech.

Direct to indirect speech example:

Direct : She said, „I am happy‟.

Indirect : She said (that) she was happy.

1.In indirect speech, tenses do not change if the words used within the quotes („‟) talk of a habitual action

or universal truth.

Direct to indirect speech example:

Direct: He said, „We cannot live without air‟.

Indirect: He said that we cannot live without air.

1.The tenses of direct speech do not change if the reporting verb is in the future tense or present

tense.

Direct to indirect speech example:

Direct: She says/will say, „I am going‟

Indirect: She says/will say she is going.