Welcome, Class 7 scholars! This chapter provides an in-depth understanding of Direct Speech and Indirect Speech (Reported Speech). Accurately reporting conversations is a vital aspect of effective communication, both written and spoken. We will explore the comprehensive rules for transforming various sentence types, enabling you to convey others' words with precision and clarity.
Lesson Plan on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7
- Defining Direct Speech: The Speaker's Exact Words
- Defining Indirect Speech: Reporting the Message
- Fundamental Rules for Conversion: Direct to Indirect
- Reporting Various Sentence Structures
- Important Exceptions to Tense Modification Rules
- Key Distinctions: Direct vs. Indirect Speech
- Exercises on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7
- Quizzes on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7
- FAQs on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7
- Worksheet Ideas on Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7
Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 7 | All Conversion Rules
Defining Direct Speech: The Speaker's Exact Words
Direct Speech refers to the reproduction of the speaker's exact words. These verbatim statements are enclosed within quotation marks (" ").
Salient Features of Direct Speech:
- The speaker's original utterance is quoted without any alteration.
- A reporting verb (e.g., said, inquired, exclaimed, commanded) introduces or follows the direct quotation, often separated by a comma.
- The first word of the direct quotation invariably begins with a capital letter.
- Terminal punctuation marks (full stop, question mark, exclamation mark) belonging to the direct speech are placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Examples:
- The scientist announced, "We have made a significant breakthrough."
- "What is the capital of Australia?" the quizmaster asked the contestant.
- My coach advised, "Practice consistently to improve your skills."
Defining Indirect Speech: Reporting the Message
Indirect Speech (or Reported Speech) is the method of conveying the substance or meaning of a speaker's words without using the exact quotation. It involves paraphrasing the original statement from the perspective of the reporter.
Salient Features of Indirect Speech:
- Quotation marks are not employed.
- The conjunction 'that' is commonly used to introduce the reported clause in statements, though it can be optional.
- The reporting verb is essential and often modified (e.g., 'said to' becomes 'told').
- Systematic grammatical changes occur, particularly in tenses, pronouns, and adverbs of time and place.
- The sentence structure of the original speech is often altered (e.g., interrogative to assertive).
Examples (corresponding to the Direct Speech examples):
- The scientist announced that they had made a significant breakthrough.
- The quizmaster asked the contestant what the capital of Australia was.
- My coach advised me to practice consistently to improve my skills.
Fundamental Rules for Conversion: Direct to Indirect Speech
Converting sentences from Direct to Indirect Speech requires adherence to specific grammatical rules:
1. Transformation of the Reporting Verb
The reporting verb is modified based on the mood and type of the reported sentence.
- Statements: 'said to' + object → 'told' + object; 'said' (no object) → 'said'.
- Direct: He said to her, "I will attend the meeting."
- Indirect: He told her that he would attend the meeting.
- Questions: 'said'/'said to' → 'asked', 'inquired', 'wondered', 'demanded'.
- Commands/Requests: 'said'/'said to' → 'ordered', 'commanded', 'requested', 'advised', 'urged', 'forbade'.
- Exclamations/Wishes: 'said'/'said to' → 'exclaimed', 'wished', 'prayed', 'blessed', 'cried out' (often with phrases like 'with joy/sorrow/wonder').
2. Appropriate Use of Conjunctions
- Statements: Conjunction 'that' is used. (e.g., He said that...)
- Yes/No Questions: Conjunctions 'if' or 'whether' are used. (e.g., She asked if/whether...)
- Wh-Questions: The Wh-word (who, what, etc.) itself serves as the conjunction. (e.g., They inquired why...)
- Imperatives: The infinitive marker 'to' (or 'not to') is used. (e.g., The general commanded them to march.)
3. Punctuation Modifications
Quotation marks are omitted. The comma after the reporting verb is removed. Original terminal punctuation (question mark, exclamation mark) is replaced by a full stop, as the reported speech becomes a subordinate clause within a larger declarative sentence.
4. Comprehensive Tense Shifts
When the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, the tenses of the verbs in the reported speech are generally shifted "one step back" into the past:
| Direct Speech Tense | Indirect Speech Tense |
|---|---|
| Simple Present (go, is) | Simple Past (went, was) |
| Present Continuous (is going) | Past Continuous (was going) |
| Present Perfect (has gone) | Past Perfect (had gone) |
| Present Perfect Continuous (has been going) | Past Perfect Continuous (had been going) |
| Simple Past (went) | Past Perfect (had gone) |
| Past Continuous (was going) | Past Perfect Continuous (had been going) |
| Past Perfect (had gone) | Past Perfect (No change) |
| Past Perfect Continuous (had been going) | Past Perfect Continuous (No change) |
| Future Simple (will/shall + V1) | Conditional (would/should + V1) |
| Can | Could |
| May | Might |
| Must (obligation/necessity) | Had to / Would have to |
| Must (deduction/strong belief) | Must (often no change) or inferred past equivalent |
Example: She said, "I am writing a letter." → She said that she was writing a letter.
He said, "We went to the zoo." → He said that they had gone to the zoo.
(Refer to 'Exceptions to Tense Change Rules' for specific conditions where tenses do not change.)
5. Adjustments in Pronouns
Pronouns are altered based on the relationship between the original speaker, the person being spoken to (if any), and the reporter.
- First-person pronouns (I, my, me, we, our, us) change according to the subject of the reporting verb.
Direct: John said, "I lost my keys." → Indirect: John said that he had lost his keys. - Second-person pronouns (you, your) change according to the object of the reporting verb.
Direct: The teacher said to students, "You must submit your assignments." → Indirect: The teacher told the students that they must submit their assignments.
(If no object, context determines the change, often to I/he/she/they.) - Third-person pronouns (he, his, him, she, her, it, its, they, their, them) typically remain unchanged.
Direct: Maria said, "He is a reliable person." → Indirect: Maria said that he was a reliable person.
6. Changes in Adverbs of Time and Place
Words indicating proximity in time and place are generally changed to words indicating distance, especially when the reporting verb is in the past tense and the reporting time/place is different from the original.
| Direct Speech Adverb/Demonstrative | Indirect Speech Adverb/Demonstrative |
|---|---|
| now | then, at that time |
| today | that day |
| tonight | that night |
| yesterday | the day before, the previous day |
| tomorrow | the next day, the following day |
| last night/week/month/year | the previous night/week/month/year, the night/week/month/year before |
| next night/week/month/year | the following night/week/month/year |
| here | there |
| this | that |
| these | those |
| ago | before, previously |
| thus | so, in that way |
| hence | thence |
| come | go (if movement is away from the place of reporting) |
Example: He said, "I am leaving for London tomorrow." → He said that he was leaving for London the next day.
Reporting Various Sentence Structures
A. Assertive/Declarative Sentences (Statements)
Follow the general rules: change reporting verb ('said to' → 'told'), use 'that', adjust tenses, pronouns, and adverbs.
Direct: The manager said, "The quarterly reports are ready for review."
Indirect: The manager said that the quarterly reports were ready for review.
B. Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
- Reporting verb → 'asked', 'inquired', etc.
- Question structure → statement structure (subject before verb).
- Question mark → full stop.
- Yes/No Questions: Use 'if' or 'whether'.
Direct: She asked her colleague, "Have you submitted the proposal?"
Indirect: She asked her colleague if/whether he/she had submitted the proposal. - Wh- Questions: Wh-word acts as conjunction.
Direct: The passenger inquired, "When will the next train to Bristol arrive?"
Indirect: The passenger inquired when the next train to Bristol would arrive.
C. Imperative Sentences (Commands, Requests, Advice)
- Reporting verb → 'ordered', 'commanded', 'requested', 'advised', 'suggested', 'warned', 'forbade', 'told', etc.
- Main verb → infinitive ('to' + verb). For negative imperatives, 'not to' + verb.
- Words like 'please' are omitted.
Direct: The sergeant ordered, "Soldiers, advance immediately!"
Indirect: The sergeant ordered the soldiers to advance immediately.
Direct: My friend said to me, "Please don't reveal my secret."
Indirect: My friend requested me not to reveal his/her secret.
D. Exclamatory and Optative Sentences (Exclamations, Wishes, Prayers)
- Reporting verb → 'exclaimed', 'cried out', 'applauded', 'wished', 'prayed', 'bade', etc., often with an adverb or phrase indicating emotion (e.g., 'with joy', 'with sorrow', 'with regret', 'with admiration').
- Exclamatory/Optative structure → assertive statement.
- Exclamation mark → full stop.
- Interjections (Alas, Hurrah, Bravo, Oh, Ah) are omitted; their meaning is conveyed by the reporting verb/phrase.
- 'What a...' or 'How...' constructions are often rephrased using 'very' or 'great'.
Direct: The spectators shouted, "Hurrah! Our team has secured the victory!"
Indirect: The spectators exclaimed with joy that their team had secured the victory.
Direct: He said, "What a brilliant idea it is!"
Indirect: He exclaimed with appreciation that it was a very brilliant idea.
Direct: The hermit said, "May peace prevail in the world!" (Optative)
Indirect: The hermit prayed that peace might prevail in the world.
Important Exceptions to Tense Modification Rules
The tense of the verb in reported speech remains unchanged, even if the reporting verb is in the past, under these conditions:
- Universal Truths or Scientific Facts:
Direct: The science teacher said, "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."
Indirect: The science teacher said that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. - Habitual Actions or Customs:
Direct: My grandfather said, "I go for a walk every morning."
Indirect: My grandfather said that he goes for a walk every morning. - Proverbs or Sayings:
Direct: The sage said, "Slow and steady wins the race."
Indirect: The sage said that slow and steady wins the race. - Reporting Verb in Present or Future Tense:
Direct: She says, "I am enjoying my new job."
Indirect: She says that she is enjoying her new job. - Past Historical Events:
Direct: The historian said, "India gained independence in 1947."
Indirect: The historian said that India gained independence in 1947. - Two simultaneous past actions (often with 'when' or 'while'): The Past Continuous tense in both clauses may remain unchanged.
Direct: He said, "While I was reading, my sister was watching television."
Indirect: He said that while he was reading, his sister was watching television. - Unreal past/conditionals (Type 2 & 3 if-clauses): Tenses in the 'if' clause and main clause usually do not change.
Direct: He said, "If I were rich, I would help the poor."
Indirect: He said that if he were rich, he would help the poor.
Key Distinctions: Direct vs. Indirect Speech
A quick comparison to reinforce understanding:
| Aspect | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation Marks | Encloses exact words ("...") | Omitted |
| Reporting Verb | e.g., said, asked | e.g., told, asked, exclaimed, ordered (often modified) |
| Conjunctions | Comma separates reporting verb | 'that', 'if', 'whether', wh-words, 'to' are used |
| Tense Shift | Original tense | Generally shifts to a corresponding past tense (if reporting verb is past) |
| Pronoun Shift | Original pronouns | Change according to speaker/listener context |
| Time/Place Adverbs | e.g., now, here, tomorrow | e.g., then, there, the next day (if reporting verb is past) |
| Sentence Structure | Original (statement, question, etc.) | Often becomes declarative (questions become statements) |
Reported Speech Exercises for Class 7 with Answers
Exercise 1: Conversion of Statements (Declarative Sentences)
This exercise tests your ability to apply the core rules of reported speech to simple statements, paying attention to backshifting tenses and changing pronouns and time/place markers.
Convert the following direct speech statements into indirect speech.
- The astronomer said, "A new comet has been discovered recently."
- My sister said to me, "I am preparing for my final examinations these days."
- The team leader said, "We successfully completed the project last month."
- He said, "I may not be able to attend the function tomorrow."
- The old woman said, "I have lived in this village since my childhood."
- The teacher said to the students, "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
- She said, "My parents will be arriving here this evening."
- Rahul said, "I wrote a letter to my friend yesterday."
- The mechanic said to the customer, "Your car needs a thorough check-up."
- They said, "We have been waiting for the bus for two hours."
- Priya said, "I want to become a software engineer."
- The guard said, "The museum closes at 5 p.m. today."
- He said to his friend, "I must finish this assignment now."
- The weather forecaster announced, "It will probably rain tonight."
- Anjali said, "I saw a beautiful peacock in the garden this morning."
Exercise 2: Conversion of Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
This exercise focuses on changing interrogative sentences into the statement form required for reported speech, using conjunctions like 'if', 'whether', or the Wh-word itself.
Convert the following direct questions into indirect speech.
- The tourist asked the guide, "Is this monument very old?"
- She said to her brother, "When will you return from your trip?"
- The interviewer asked the candidate, "Why do you want to join this company?"
- My father said to me, "Can you help me with this task?"
- The stranger inquired, "Does this bus go to the city center?"
- The teacher said to Rohan, "What is your name?"
- I said to the shopkeeper, "Do you accept credit cards?"
- The mother asked her son, "Have you finished your homework?"
- He said to me, "Where are you going now?"
- The policeman asked the driver, "Are you carrying a valid license?"
- She asked, "Who broke this beautiful vase?"
- The passenger said to the clerk, "Which platform does the train for Delhi leave from?"
- The manager asked the employee, "How long have you been working here?"
- I asked my friend, "Will you come to my party tomorrow?"
- The woman asked, "Shall I close the window?"
Exercise 3: Conversion of Commands, Exclamations & Wishes
This exercise tests your ability to use appropriate reporting verbs (like 'ordered', 'requested', 'exclaimed', 'wished') and structures (like infinitives) for non-declarative sentences.
Convert the following sentences into indirect speech.
- The general said to his army, "Do not retreat under any circumstances."
- She said, "What a pleasant surprise this is!"
- The beggar said to the passerby, "Please give me some alms."
- The children shouted, "Hurrah! We are going for a picnic tomorrow!"
- The saint said to his disciples, "May you all find inner peace."
- The teacher said to the students, "Listen to me carefully."
- He said, "Alas! My best friend has deceived me."
- My father said to me, "Don't waste your time on video games."
- The spectator said, "Bravo! What a great shot!"
- She said to her friend, "Let's go to the movies."
- The old man said, "Oh! I have missed the bus."
- I said to him, "Congratulations! You have won the first prize."
- The captain said, "Fire at the enemy!"
- He said, "Good morning, friends."
- She said, "If only I were a bird!"
Reported Speech Quizzes for Class 7 (MCQ Online Test)
Quiz 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Choose the most accurate indirect speech conversion for each sentence, paying close attention to all necessary changes.
Choose the correct option.
- He said, "I am writing a novel now."
- The teacher said to the student, "Why are you late today?"
- She said, "Let's organize a party."
- My mother said to me, "Don't touch the hot pan."
- He said, "Alas! I have lost my wallet."
- I said to him, "Do you play cricket?"
- The captain said, "Hurrah! We have won the match."
- She said, "I must go to the doctor today."
- The policeman said to the thief, "Where did you hide the jewels?"
- The hermit said, "May you live long!"
- He said, "The sun rises in the east."
- She said to me, "Please wait here."
- I said, "What a clever idea!"
- He said, "I will be there tomorrow."
- The student said, "I am sorry I am late."
Quiz 2: Rules of Reported Speech (True or False)
Evaluate each statement to determine if it is true or false, testing your knowledge of the fundamental principles of reported speech.
Indicate if the following statements are True or False.
- If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense of the direct speech does not change. (True / False)
- In indirect speech, a question is converted into a statement. (True / False)
- The adverb 'tomorrow' is always changed to 'the previous day' in indirect speech. (True / False)
- If the direct speech expresses a universal truth, its tense is always changed to the past. (True / False)
- The reporting verb 'said to' is changed to 'told' when it is followed by an object. (True / False)
- In a reported question, the conjunction 'that' is used after the Wh-word. (True / False)
- The pronoun 'I' in direct speech always changes to 'he' in indirect speech. (True / False)
- The simple past tense in direct speech is changed to the past perfect tense in indirect speech. (True / False)
- The modal verb 'can' changes to 'could' in indirect speech. (True / False)
- Exclamatory sentences are converted into statements using a reporting verb like 'exclaimed'. (True / False)
- The adverb of place 'here' is changed to 'there' in indirect speech. (True / False)
- Commands and requests are typically changed into the to-infinitive form in indirect speech. (True / False)
- 'Let's' in direct speech is reported using 'suggested' or 'proposed'. (True / False)
- Words expressing joy like 'Hurrah!' are omitted and replaced with 'exclaimed with joy'. (True / False)
- The present perfect continuous tense changes to the past perfect tense in indirect speech. (True / False)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Class 6
Q1: Why is it important to change tenses in indirect speech when the reporting verb is in the past?
When the reporting verb is in the past (e.g., "He said..."), it means the original speech happened at an earlier time. To maintain this temporal relationship from the perspective of the reporter (who is now reporting it later), the tense of the original verb is usually shifted "backwards." For example, something that was happening (Present Continuous "I am going") at the time of original speech is reported as something that had been happening (Past Continuous "he was going") relative to the past reporting verb.
Q2: What happens if the person reporting the speech is the same as the original speaker? Do pronouns still change?
Yes, pronouns still need to be logical from the perspective of the current reporting. If I said something earlier and I am reporting it now, 'I' might remain 'I'. Example: Direct: I said, "I will do my homework." -> Indirect: I said that I would do my homework. However, if I am reporting what you said to me: Direct: You said to me, "I will help you." -> Indirect: You told me that you would help me. The key is that pronouns must make sense in the context of who is speaking now and who the original utterance referred to.
Q3: Are there any situations where 'must' does not change in indirect speech even with a past reporting verb?
Yes. If 'must' expresses a universal obligation, a permanent rule, or a logical deduction/strong probability that is still considered true, it may not change.
- Universal Obligation: The teacher said, "Students must respect their elders." -> The teacher said that students must respect their elders.
- Logical Deduction: He said, "She must be very tired after the journey." (If the tiredness is still a valid assumption) -> He said that she must be very tired after the journey.
Worksheet and Activity Ideas for Class 6
To further strengthen your skills in Direct and Indirect Speech:
- Newspaper Report Conversion: Take direct quotes from a newspaper article and rewrite the relevant section as a reported news summary using indirect speech.
- Dialogue Transformation: Convert a short play script or a dialogue-heavy story excerpt into a narrative using primarily indirect speech. Focus on varying reporting verbs.
- "He Said, She Said" Chain Story: One student starts with a direct quote. The next student reports it indirectly and adds their own direct quote, and so on. This can be a fun oral or written activity.
- Identifying Errors in Reported Speech: Worksheets with sentences already converted to indirect speech, but containing common errors (tense, pronoun, adverb, conjunction choice) for students to identify and correct.
- Reporting Different Emotions: Practice converting exclamatory sentences by choosing appropriate reporting verbs and adverbs that convey the original emotion (e.g., exclaimed joyfully, cried out in alarm, wondered admiringly).
- Contextual Time/Place Shifts: Create scenarios where direct speech is reported much later or from a different location, requiring careful changes to time and place adverbs.
About the Author: Anurag Jain
The Creator, Coder, and Educator behind Deepgyan.com
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