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Sometimes we want to tell our friends what someone else said. There are two ways to do this: Direct Speech and Indirect Speech. It's like being a news reporter for your friends! Let's learn these two fun ways of sharing words.

A clear illustration for 'Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 4'. The image features students and highlights reporting verbs like 'said' and 'ask' to explain the concept of reported speech.

Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 4 | Rules, Examples & Exercises

What is Direct Speech? (With Examples)

Direct Speech is when we say or write the exact words that someone spoke. It's like recording their voice!

How to spot Direct Speech:

  • The speaker's exact words are put inside special marks called quotation marks (" ").
  • We use a word like said or asked (a reporting verb).
  • There is usually a comma (,) before the quotation marks begin.
  • The first word inside the quotation marks starts with a capital letter.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples for Class 4:

  • 👨 Anil said, "I like to play football."
  • 👩 The teacher said, "Please open your books."
  • 👧 Priya asked, "Can I have a cookie?"
  • 👦 My mother said, "Dinner is ready."
  • 🦝 The lion roared, "I am the king of the jungle."
  • 👶 The student said, "I have finished my homework."
  • 👽 "I feel sick today," she said to her friend.

What is Indirect Speech? (Reported Speech)

Indirect Speech (we also call it Reported Speech) is when we tell someone what another person said, but we don't use their exact words. We report the main idea.

How to spot Indirect Speech:

  • There are NO quotation marks (" ").
  • We often use the word 'that' after the reporting verb (like 'said that').
  • Some words, like pronouns (I, you) and verbs (am, is), might change.

Reported Speech Examples for Class 4:

  • 👨 Anil said that he liked to play football.
  • 👩 The teacher told the students to open their books.
  • 👧 Priya asked if she could have a cookie.
  • 👦 My mother said that dinner was ready.
  • 🦝 The lion roared that he was the king of the jungle.
  • 👶 The student said that he had finished his homework.
  • 👽 She told her friend that she felt sick that day.

Difference Between Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 4

The main difference between direct and indirect speech is simple. Direct Speech is like a photograph of the words spoken—it uses the exact words and puts them in quotation marks (" "). Indirect Speech is like a drawing of what was said—it tells you the meaning but uses your own words to report it, so there are no quotation marks.

Direct and Indirect Speech in the Class 4 CBSE and ICSE Syllabus

The topic of Direct and Indirect Speech (or Reported Speech) is a fundamental concept in the English grammar curriculum for Class 4 students under both the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) boards. This lesson, including the definitions, rules, and exercises, is designed to align perfectly with the learning objectives set by the NCERT and these major educational boards in India.

Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech (for Class 4)

When we change Direct Speech to Indirect Speech, we follow some simple rules. Here is a chart to help!

Rule Direct Speech Example Indirect Speech Example
1. Remove Quotation Marks He said, "I am busy." He said that he was busy.
2. Add 'that' (for statements) She said, "I like apples." She said that she liked apples.
3. Change Pronouns (I → he/she, you → I/he/she, etc.) Ravi said, "I am playing." Ravi said that he was playing.
4. Change Verbs (Tense) (am/is → was, are → were, will → would, can → could) Tina said, "It is cold." Tina said that it was cold.
5. Change Time/Place Words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, this → that) He said, "I will play today." He said that he would play that day.
6. Change 'said to' to 'told' He said to me, "You are kind." He told me that I was kind.

Important Tip: If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., 'He says...'), or if the statement is a universal truth (e.g., The Earth is round), the verb inside the speech does not change!

Rules for Changing Questions and Commands

1. For Questions:

  • Change the reporting verb 'said' to 'asked'.
  • Do NOT use 'that'. Use 'if' or 'whether'.
  • The question mark (?) is removed and replaced with a full stop (.).
  • Example: She said, "Are you happy?" → She asked if I was happy.

2. For Commands or Requests:

  • Change the reporting verb to 'told', 'ordered', 'requested', or 'commanded'.
  • Do NOT use 'that'. Use the word 'to' before the verb.
  • Example (Command): The teacher said, "Sit down." → The teacher ordered us to sit down.
  • Example (Request): He said, "Please help me." → He requested me to help him.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises for Class 4 with Answers

This collection of direct and indirect speech exercises for Class 4 with answers is designed to help students master reported speech. These worksheets are perfect for CBSE and ICSE students to practice and build their understanding of this important grammar topic.

Exercise 1: Identify the Speech

Let's start with the basics! This worksheet on identifying direct and indirect speech will help you practice telling the difference. Remember to look for quotation marks (" ") as a big clue for direct speech!

Read each sentence. Write 'Direct' or 'Indirect' next to it.

  1. My friend said, "Let's play a game."
  2. The teacher told us that we should read every day.
  3. "I have a new pencil," said Ali.
  4. Mother said that dinner was ready.
  5. He asked if I wanted some juice.
  6. The old man said, "I am tired."
  7. She told her friend that she was going to the market.
  8. "We will go to the zoo tomorrow," he said.
  9. The fox said that the grapes were sour.
  10. The girl said to her mother, "I want an ice cream."
  11. Ravi asked where his book was.
  12. "What a beautiful flower!" she exclaimed.
  13. The captain commanded the soldiers to march.
  14. He says that he is always on time.
  15. "I am doing my work," Tina said.

Exercise 2: Change Statements to Indirect Speech

Now, let's practice reporting what someone said. This exercise will help you change direct speech to indirect speech for Class 4. Pay attention to changes in pronouns, tenses, and time words.

Change these sentences from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.

  1. The boy said, "I am hungry."
  2. Sita said, "My doll is pretty."
  3. Tom said to his friend, "I have a red car."
  4. Ravi said, "I can run fast."
  5. The girl said, "I am writing a letter."
  6. He said, "I will go to the market today."
  7. My mother said to me, "You are a good boy."
  8. She said, "I play in the evening."
  9. The teacher says, "The Earth is round."
  10. Priya said, "We are going for a picnic."
  11. He said, "I finished my work."
  12. The children said, "We love our parents."
  13. Anil said, "I am not feeling well."
  14. She said to him, "I will call you tomorrow."
  15. I said, "My favorite color is blue."

Exercise 3: Change Questions and Commands

This is a more advanced challenge! This worksheet covers the special rules for changing questions and commands to indirect speech. You will practice using reporting verbs like 'asked', 'ordered', and 'requested'.

Change these questions and commands from Direct to Indirect Speech.

  1. He said to me, "Are you coming?"
  2. The teacher said to the student, "Open your book."
  3. Mother said, "Please bring me a glass of water."
  4. I said to him, "Where are you going?"
  5. The captain said, "Soldiers, attack!"
  6. She said to her son, "Do not waste your time."
  7. Riya asked her friend, "Will you help me?"
  8. Father said to me, "Behave yourself."
  9. The man asked the boy, "What is your name?"
  10. The librarian said, "Please be quiet."
  11. She asked, "Can I borrow your pen?"
  12. The doctor said to the patient, "Take this medicine."
  13. My friend said to me, "Let's go to the park."
  14. The king said, "Bring the prisoner here."
  15. The tourist asked, "How can I get to the museum?"

Quizzes on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 4

Ready to test your skills? This direct and indirect speech quiz for Class 4 with answers is a great way to check your understanding. Try this quick online test to become an expert in reported speech!

Quiz 1: Choose the Correct Form (MCQ)

This direct and indirect speech mcq for class 4 is a quick and easy way to test your conversion skills. For each sentence in direct speech, choose the correctly converted indirect speech from the options.

Pick the correct indirect speech for the sentence in direct speech.

  1. Direct: My dad said, "I am going to the office."
    (a) My dad said that I am going to the office.
    (b) My dad said that he was going to the office.
    (c) My dad says that he was going to the office.
  2. Direct: The girl said, "This is my book."
    (a) The girl said that this was her book.
    (b) The girl said that that was her book.
    (c) The girl said that that is her book.
  3. Direct: Ravi said to Tina, "I will play today."
    (a) Ravi told Tina that he would play that day.
    (b) Ravi said to Tina that I will play today.
    (c) Ravi told Tina that he will play today.
  4. Direct: The teacher says, "You are a good student."
    (a) The teacher says that I was a good student.
    (b) The teacher said that I am a good student.
    (c) The teacher says that I am a good student.
  5. Direct: He said, "I can climb this tree."
    (a) He said that he can climb this tree.
    (b) He said that he could climb that tree.
    (c) He said that I could climb that tree.
  6. Direct: She said, "I live in this city."
    (a) She said that she lives in that city.
    (b) She said that she lived in that city.
    (c) She said that I lived in this city.
  7. Direct: They said, "We are playing football."
    (a) They said that they were playing football.
    (b) They said that we were playing football.
    (c) They said that they are playing football.
  8. Direct: Sam said, "My mother is a doctor."
    (a) Sam said that his mother was a doctor.
    (b) Sam said that my mother was a doctor.
    (c) Sam said that his mother is a doctor.
  9. Direct: "Where is my bag?" she asked.
    (a) She asked where her bag was.
    (b) She asked where is her bag.
    (c) She said where her bag was.
  10. Direct: He said, "I must go now."
    (a) He said that he must go then.
    (b) He said that he had to go then.
    (c) He said that he must have gone now.
  11. Direct: The police said to the thief, "Stop!"
    (a) The police requested the thief to stop.
    (b) The police told the thief that he should stop.
    (c) The police ordered the thief to stop.
  12. Direct: I said to her, "I cannot help you."
    (a) I told her that I could not help her.
    (b) I said to her that I cannot help you.
    (c) I told her that she could not help me.
  13. Direct: The student said, "I will study tomorrow."
    (a) The student said that he will study tomorrow.
    (b) The student said that he would study the next day.
    (c) The student said that I would study the next day.
  14. Direct: She said, "I have seen this movie."
    (a) She said that she has seen that movie.
    (b) She said that she had seen that movie.
    (c) She said that she saw that movie.
  15. Direct: My friend says, "I am always happy."
    (a) My friend says that he was always happy.
    (b) My friend said that he is always happy.
    (c) My friend says that he is always happy.

Quiz 2: True or False?

This quiz tests your knowledge of the rules of direct and indirect speech for Class 4. Read each statement about reported speech carefully and decide if it is true or false. Good luck!

Read these statements. Are they True or False?

  1. Indirect speech uses quotation marks (" ").
  2. In indirect speech, 'said to' usually changes to 'told'.
  3. The word 'that' is always used when changing to indirect speech.
  4. Pronouns like 'I' and 'my' often change in indirect speech.
  5. If the reporting verb is 'says' (present tense), the verb in the reported speech must change to past tense.
  6. "She said that she was happy" is an example of Direct Speech.
  7. The exact words of the speaker are used in Indirect Speech.
  8. Reported Speech is another name for Indirect Speech.
  9. We remove the comma before the speech in indirect speech.
  10. If a sentence is a universal truth, its tense does not change in indirect speech.
  11. For questions in indirect speech, we use the word 'if' or 'whether'.
  12. 'Tomorrow' changes to 'the previous day' in indirect speech.
  13. For commands in indirect speech, we use 'to' before the verb.
  14. The reporting verb 'said' can be changed to 'asked' for questions.
  15. Quotation marks are also called speech marks.

Quiz 3: Choose the Correct Reporting Verb

Choosing the right reporting verb is very important. This quiz on reporting verbs for class 4 will test if you know when to use 'said', 'told', 'asked', 'ordered', and more. Select the best verb for each sentence.

Choose the best reporting verb to complete the indirect speech sentence.

  1. She ______ me that she was tired.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  2. He ______ if I could help him.
    (a) asked (b) told (c) said
  3. The teacher ______ the students to be quiet.
    (a) said (b) ordered (c) asked
  4. They ______ that they would be late.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  5. My mother ______ me a story.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  6. I ______ him where he was going.
    (a) asked (b) told (c) said
  7. The old woman ______ us not to make noise.
    (a) said (b) told (c) requested
  8. He ______ that he had lost his pen.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  9. The general ______ the army to advance.
    (a) asked (b) commanded (c) said
  10. She ______ him what his name was.
    (a) asked (b) told (c) said to
  11. The little boy ______ that his toy was broken.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  12. The guide ______ the tourists that the museum was closed.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked
  13. I ______ him if he liked chocolate.
    (a) asked (b) told (c) said
  14. The doctor ______ the patient to rest.
    (a) asked (b) said (c) advised
  15. She ______ everyone goodbye.
    (a) said (b) told (c) asked

Downloadable Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet PDF

To help you practice offline, we have created a useful PDF worksheet that combines all the exercises and quizzes from this page. Click the link below to download it for free.

Download Free PDF Worksheet (Coming Soon)

A comprehensive worksheet with mixed exercises on direct and indirect speech.

How to Teach Direct and Indirect Speech to Your Child

Here are some fun worksheet ideas and activities to practice Direct and Indirect Speech:

  • Speech Bubble Match: Draw characters with speech bubbles showing direct speech. Have separate sentences in indirect speech. Kids match the direct speech to the correct indirect report.
  • "That" Fill-in: Provide sentences in direct speech. Ask students to rewrite them in indirect speech, focusing on adding 'that' and removing quotation marks. Example: She said, "It is cold." -> She said ______ it was cold.
  • Pronoun Swap: Give simple direct speech sentences like "Ravi said, 'I like my car.'" Provide a space for indirect speech: "Ravi said that ___ liked ___ car." Kids fill in 'he' and 'his'.
  • Verb Change Challenge (Simple): Focus on 'am/is' to 'was' and 'are' to 'were'. Give sentences like "He said, 'I am seven years old.'" Kids change it to "He said that he ___ seven years old."
  • Comic Strip Reporting: Create a short comic strip with characters talking in speech bubbles (direct speech). Ask students to write a short paragraph below, reporting what the characters said using indirect speech.
  • Who Said It?: Write a few indirect speech sentences. E.g., "She said that she wanted a red balloon." Ask students to guess who "she" might be and what her exact words could have been in direct speech.

Frequently Asked Questions on Direct and Indirect Speech

Q1: Why do we use quotation marks (" ")?

We use quotation marks (" ") in Direct Speech to show the exact words that a person spoke. It's like putting a little frame around their special words!

Q2: Does the verb always change when we go from Direct to Indirect Speech?

Not always! If the reporting verb is 'says' (present tense), the verb inside usually stays the same (He says that he is playing.). Also, if the direct speech states a universal truth (like "The sun is hot"), the tense does not change, even if the reporting verb is in the past.

Q3: What is 'reported speech'? Is it different from indirect speech?

No, they are the same thing! Reported Speech is just another name for Indirect Speech. Both mean reporting what someone said without using their exact words.

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