CLASS IX – ENGLISH 2024-25
TOPIC – REPORTED SPEECH
Direct Speech: When we quote the exact words of the speaker, we use direct speech.
Indirect speech: Talking about what someone has said without repeating the exact words of the speaker
is called indirect speech.
Rules for Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech
Change of Tense
The simple present in direct speech becomes the simple past in indirect speech.
Trishna said, ‘I mostly go to school by school bus.’
Trishna said that she mostly went to school by school bus.
However, for statements about universal truths or things that are true at all times, no
change is made in the tense of the verb.
‘Thailand is to the east of India,’ said the teacher.
The teacher said that Thailand is to the east of India.
The present continuous becomes the past continuous.
Zafar said, ‘Ali is playing chess with Father.’
Zafar said that Ali was playing chess with Father.
The present perfect becomes the past perfect and the present perfect continuous becomes
the past perfect continuous.
She said, ‘I have had my dinner.’
She said that she had had her dinner.
He said, ‘I have been trying to call Isha.’
He said that he had been trying to call Isha.
The simple past becomes the past perfect.
She said, ‘I bought the painting in Italy.’
She said that she had bought the painting in Italy.
The past continuous changes to the past perfect continuous.
Lydia said, ‘Hannah was buying lowers.’
Lydia said that Hannah had been buying lowers.
If the reporting verb is in the present or the future tense, the tense of the verb does not
change.
Billy says, ‘I want some cake with tea.’
Billy says that he wants some cake with tea
I will say, ‘Vimal is a very helpful boy.’
I will say that Vimal is a very helpful boy.
Changes in Expression of Time and Place
Direct Speech Indirect Speech Direct Speech Indirect Speech
this that tonight that night
these those yesterday the previous day/the day before
now then tomorrow the following day/next day
today that day here there
Reporting Interrogative Sentences
The reporting verb said is changed to asked, enquired or demanded according to the
tense conveyed in the question. Also, we don’t use ‘that’ in reporting questions.
Rameswar said, ‘Why did Priya leave in haste?’
Rameswar asked why Priya had left in haste.
Arjun said, ‘When will the of ice reopen?’
Arjun enquired when the of ice would reopen.
Forms of the auxiliary verb do are removed from the question in indirect speech.
Harini said to me, ‘What time does your train leave?’
Harini asked me what time my train left.
‘When did you come?’ Sam said to me.
Sam asked me when I had come.
To report questions beginning with auxiliary verbs such as is, am ,are, was, were, has,
have, do, does and did, we use if or whether. If is more common than whether. We often
use whether in more formal contexts.
The same is true for questions beginning with modals such as will, shall., may, might,
can could.
Babita said to me, ‘Are you Sangeeta’s brother?
Babita asked me if I was Sangeeta’s brother.
Rohan said to me, ‘Do you have a spare pen?’
Rohan asked me if I had a spare pen.
Reporting Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences can express several things such as command, wish, request, offer, instruction and
invitation. The choice of the reporting verb when reporting an imperative sentence is determined by the
exact sense the imperative sentence conveys.
For commands, we can use the verb ordered or commanded.
The commander said to his men, ‘Prepare for the battle.’
The commander ordered his men to prepare for the battle.
For request, we can use requested.
Darshan said to the man, ‘Please give me a glass of water.’
Darshan requested the man to give him a glass of water.
Exercise (To be attempted)
1. Report the dialogue between a grandson and his grandfather by completing the sentence.
Grandson: Grandpa, which sports did you like in your school days?
Grandfather: It was none other than Kabaddi.
In response to the question about his favourite sport, grandfather said that ___________________________.
2. Read the conversation between Kiran and Lakshit. Complete the sentence by reporting Lakshit’s reply.
Kiran: Hi Lakshit! How are you?
Lakshit: My life is rather tough. I desperately need a job.
Kiran on meeting Lakshit asked him how he was, to which Lakshit replied sadly that his life was rather
tough and _________________________________________________________.
3. Report the dialogue between Richa and Sonu by completing the sentence.
Richa: Where have you been all the day?
Sonu: I was busy in my project at my friend’s home.
In response to the question about where he had been all the day, Sonu said that ________________________.
