reported speech into direct speech exercises pdf

Reported speech - 1

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Reported speech

Worksheets - pdf exercises.

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Reported speech (b1).

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Reported Speech Exercises

Perfect english grammar.

Here's a list of all the reported speech exercises on this site:

( Click here to read the explanations about reported speech )

Reported Statements:

• Present Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Present Continuous Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Past Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Present Perfect Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Future Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Mixed Tense Reported Statement Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• 'Say' and 'Tell' (quite easy) (in PDF here)

Reported Questions:

• Present Simple Reported Yes/No Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Present Simple Reported Wh Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Mixed Tense Reported Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)

Reported Orders and Requests:

• Reported Requests and Orders Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Reported Speech Mixed Exercise 1 (difficult) (in PDF here)
• Reported Speech Mixed Exercise 2 (difficult) (in PDF here)

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• ESL Speaking Activity — Stress scenarios [set 1]
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• Reported (indirect) speech to Direct Speech — Exercise 1
• 1. Jerry said (that) he would be busy. Jerry, “ .” I will be busy
• 2. Lilly told me (that) she preferred rainy days. Lilly, “ .” I prefer rainy days
• 3. Anna said (that) she studied at Harvard. Anna, “ .” I study at Harvard
• 4. Harold said (that) he was playing chess with his grandad. Harold, “ .” I am playing chess with my grandad
• 5. Lucas told me (that) he would sleep outside. Lucas, “ .” I will sleep outside
• 6. Mason said (that) he had talked to his girlfriend the day before. Mason, “ .” I talked to my girlfriend yesterday
• 7. Children said (that) they couldn't understand the rule. Children, “ .” We can't understand the rule
• 8. Emma told me that she had already bought the tickets. Emma, “ .” I have already bought the tickets
• 9. Mother told me not to be late for dinner. Mother, “ !” Don't be late for dinner
• 10. Clara said (that) her son was afraid of lightning. Clara, “ .” My son is afraid of lightning
• Reported (indirect) speech to Direct Speech — Exercise 2
• Reported (indirect) speech to Direct Speech — Exercise 3
• Reported statements — mixed tenses — Exercise 1
• Reported statements — mixed tenses — Exercise 2
• Reported statements — mixed tenses — Exercise 3

Reported Speech with Examples and Test (PDF)

Reported speech is used when we want to convey what someone else has said to us or to another person. It involves paraphrasing or summarising what has been said , often changing verb tenses , pronouns and other elements to suit the context of the report.

*doesn’t change

Formula of Reported Speech

The formula for reported speech involves transforming direct speech into an indirect form while maintaining the meaning of the original statement. In general, the formula includes:

• Choosing an appropriate reporting verb (e.g., say, tell, mention, explain).
• Changing pronouns and time expressions if necessary.
• Shifting the tense of the verb back if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
• Using reporting clauses like “that” or appropriate conjunctions.
• Adjusting word order and punctuation to fit the structure of the reported speech.

Here’s a simplified formula:

Reporting Verb + Indirect Object + Conjunction + Reported Clause

For example:

• She said (reporting verb) to me (indirect object) that (conjunction) she liked ice cream (reported clause).

Here’s how we use reported speech:

Reporting Verbs: We use verbs like ‘say’ or ‘tell’ to introduce reported speech. If the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense of the reported speech generally remains the same.

If the reporting verb is in the past tense , the tense of the reported speech often shifts back in time.

Tense Changes: Tense changes are common in reported speech. For example, present simple may change to past simple, present continuous to past continuous, etc. However, some verbs like ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘might’, ‘must’, and ‘ought to’ generally don’t change.

Reported Questions: When reporting questions, we often change them into statements while preserving the meaning. Question words are retained, and the tense of the verbs may change.

Reported Requests and Orders: Requests and orders are reported similarly to statements. Reported requests often use ‘asked me to’ + infinitive, while reported orders use ‘told me to’ + infinitive.

Time Expressions: Time expressions may need to change depending on when the reported speech occurred in relation to the reporting moment. For instance, ‘today’ may become ‘that day’ or ‘yesterday’, ‘yesterday’ might become ‘the day before’, and so forth.

Reported Speech with Examples PDF

  Reported Speech PDF – download

Reported Speech Test

  Reported Speech A2 – B1 Test – download

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Reported Speech – Free Exercise

Write the following sentences in indirect speech. Pay attention to backshift and the changes to pronouns, time, and place.

• Two weeks ago, he said, “I visited this museum last week.” → Two weeks ago, he said that   . I → he|simple past → past perfect|this → that|last …→ the … before
• She claimed, “I am the best for this job.” → She claimed that   . I → she|simple present→ simple past|this→ that
• Last year, the minister said, “The crisis will be overcome next year.” → Last year, the minister said that   . will → would|next …→ the following …
• My riding teacher said, “Nobody has ever fallen off a horse here.” → My riding teacher said that   . present perfect → past perfect|here→ there
• Last month, the boss explained, “None of my co-workers has to work overtime now.” → Last month, the boss explained that   . my → his/her|simple present→ simple past|now→ then

Rewrite the question sentences in indirect speech.

• She asked, “What did he say?” → She asked   . The subject comes directly after the question word.|simple past → past perfect
• He asked her, “Do you want to dance?” → He asked her   . The subject comes directly after whether/if |you → she|simple present → simple past
• I asked him, “How old are you?” → I asked him   . The subject comes directly after the question word + the corresponding adjective (how old)|you→ he|simple present → simple past
• The tourists asked me, “Can you show us the way?” → The tourists asked me   . The subject comes directly after whether/if |you→ I|us→ them
• The shop assistant asked the woman, “Which jacket have you already tried on?” → The shop assistant asked the woman   . The subject comes directly after the question word|you→ she|present perfect → past perfect

Rewrite the demands/requests in indirect speech.

• The passenger requested the taxi driver, “Stop the car.” → The passenger requested the taxi driver   . to + same wording as in direct speech
• The mother told her son, “Don’t be so loud.” → The mother told her son   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
• The policeman told us, “Please keep moving.” → The policeman told us   . to + same wording as in direct speech ( please can be left off)
• She told me, “Don’t worry.” → She told me   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
• The zookeeper told the children, “Don’t feed the animals.” → The zookeeper told the children   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t

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Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Turn the following sentences into indirect speech.

1.    John said, ‘I am very busy now.’ 2.    He said, ‘The horse has been fed.’ 3.    ‘I know her name and address,’ said John. 4.    ‘German is easy to learn,’ she said. 5.    He said, ‘I am writing letters.’ 6.    ‘It is too late to go out,’ Alice said. 7.    He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’ 8.    He says, ‘I am glad to be here this evening.’ 9.    He said to me, ‘What are you doing?’ 10.    ‘Where is the post office?’ asked the stranger. 11.    He said, ‘Will you listen to me?’ 12.    John said to Peter, ‘Go away.’ 13.    She said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’ 14.    ‘Call the witness,’ said the judge. 15.    The speaker said, ‘Be quiet and listen to my words.’

1.    John said that he was very busy then. 2.    He said that the horse had been fed. 3.    John said that he knew/knows her name and address. (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4.    She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5.    He said that he was writing letters. 6.    Alice said that it was too late to go out. 7.    He told me that he didn’t believe me. OR He said he didn’t believe me. 8.    He says that he is glad to be here this evening. (When the reporting verb is in the present tense, adverbs of time and place do not normally change in indirect speech.) 9.    He asked me what I was doing. 10.    The stranger asked where the post office is/was. 11.    He asked me if I would listen to him. 12.    John ordered Peter to go away. 13.    She asked me to wait there till she returned. 14.    The judge commanded them to call the first witness. 15.    He urged them to be quiet and listen to them.

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Indirect to direct speech

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Indirect speech to direct speech - exercise 5

Change the following sentences from indirect to direct speech.

Liz said she didn't speak Greek at all. I don't speak Greek at all.

Check test Answer key Clear test

Related pages:

Direct and indirect speech exercises and grammar rules with examples.

From indirect to direct speech

If we want to tell someone what another person said or thought, we can use indirect or direct speech.

Indirect speech: Samantha said that she had stayed there the year before. Direct speech: "I stayed here last year," said Samantha.

Moreover, we use different punctuation (commas at the end of statements) and quotation marks in the direct speech.

They told me they didn't want to move to Bristol. "We don't want to move to Bristol," they told me.

Our grandma thought that Timothy would be the best student in his class. "Timothy will be the best student in his class," our grandma thought.

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• Reported Speech /

50 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises [PDF Available]

• Updated on  
• Jan 30, 2024

50+ Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech: Do you tend to quote exactly what you listen to, or do you prefer to convey the message instead of quoting word-for-word what you listen to? In any case, both actions are examples of Direct and Indirect speech exercises in practicality. There is no doubt that the English language and its grammar rules can be both tricky and easy at times. After all, where tenses are just the tip of the iceberg, you would find voices and direct and indirect speech at its other end under the ocean to explore. But, once you master their complicated rules through tons of examples and exercises, you can be as proficient as a native English speaker.

So, let’s not forget that there is nothing that you, as a human, cannot conquer. Observe these 50 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises given in this blog article and make the most out of the rules involved to upgrade your grammar wizardry. 

This Blog Includes:

What is direct and indirect speech, rules for direct and indirect speech, 50 examples of direct and indirect speech, examples of direct and indirect speech exercise pdf.

MUST READ! Reported Speech: Definition, Rules, Usage with Examples, Tips, Exercises for Students

Before we walk through the examples of direct and indirect speech exercises, let’s learn that both direct and indirect speech are a part of Reported Speech. You can identify them on the following grounds of differentiation:

Also Read: Figures of Speech with Examples, PDF

Following are some rules for direct and indirect speech which can be used in making sentences:

• Note the reporting verb, which can be used to establish the tense of the Indirect Speech.
• Adjust the place and time to match the speaker’s current place and time.
• Write the correct pronoun for both the object and the subject.
• Finally, cross-check the sentence if it has the proper structure and word arrangement.

Now, you should check these 50 examples of Direct and Indirect Speech exercises for a good insight into the topic:

• Direct Speech: “I love pizza,” said Sarah.

Indirect Speech: Sarah said that she loved pizza.

• Direct Speech: “I’m going to the movies tonight,” said David.

Indirect Speech: David told me that he was going to the movies that night.

• Direct Speech: “Can you pass me the salt?” asked Emily.

Indirect Speech: Emily asked me to pass her the salt.

• Direct Speech: “I have a big test tomorrow,” said Tom.

Indirect Speech: Tom said that he had a big test the next day.

• Direct Speech: “I’m so tired,” said Jessica.

Indirect Speech: Jessica said that she was so tired.

• Direct Speech: “What a beautiful day!” exclaimed Mary.

Indirect Speech: Mary exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.

• Direct Speech: “I don’t understand,” said John. 

Indirect Speech: John said that he didn’t understand.

• Direct Speech: “Please be quiet,” said the teacher.

Indirect Speech: The teacher asked the students to be quiet.

• Direct Speech: “I’m not feeling well,” said Peter.

Indirect Speech: Peter said that he wasn’t feeling well.

• Direct Speech: “I’m so happy to see you!” said Rachel.

Indirect Speech: Rachel told me that she was so happy to see me.

• Direct Speech: “Please help me with my homework,” said Amy.

Indirect Speech: Amy asked me to help her with her homework.

• Direct Speech: “I’m hungry,” said Ben.

Indirect Speech: Ben said that he was hungry.

• Direct Speech: “I can’t believe I won the lottery!” said Charlie.

Indirect Speech: Charlie couldn’t believe that he had won the lottery.

• Direct Speech: “I’m so sorry for being late,” said Diana.

Indirect Speech: Diana apologised for being late.

• Direct Speech: “I think it’s going to rain,” said Emily.

Indirect Speech: Emily said that she thought it was going to rain.

• Direct Speech: “I’m exhausted,” said Fred.

Indirect Speech: Fred said that he was exhausted.

• Direct Speech: “I hope you had a nice birthday,” said Harry.

Indirect Speech: Harry hoped that I had had a nice birthday.

• Direct Speech: “I’m so excited to go on vacation!” said Isabella.

Indirect Speech: Isabella said that she was so excited to go on vacation.

• Direct Speech: “I’m really proud of you,” said Jack.

Indirect Speech: Jack said that he was really proud of me.

• Direct Speech: She said, “I am studying for my exam.”

Indirect Speech : She said that she was studying for her exam.

• Direct Speech: “We will go to the beach,” he said.

Indirect Speech : He said that they would go to the beach.

• Direct Speech : “I don’t like seafood,” she exclaimed.

Indirect Speech : She exclaimed that she didn’t like seafood.

• Direct Speech : “They are coming to visit us tomorrow,” he told me.

Indirect Speech : He told me that they were coming to visit us the next day.

• Direct Speech : “I have finished my homework,” she mentioned.

Indirect Speech : She mentioned that she had finished her homework.

• Direct Speech : “It’s raining heavily,” he observed.

Indirect Speech : He observed that it was raining heavily.

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• Direct Speech : “I will call you later,” she promised.

Indirect Speech : She promised that she would call me later.

• Direct Speech : “We are going on a trip next week,” they announced.

Indirect Speech : They announced that they were going on a trip the following week.

• Direct Speech : “I want to buy a new car,” he said.

Indirect Speech : He said that he wanted to buy a new car.

• Direct Speech : “Don’t touch the hot stove,” she warned.

Indirect Speech : She warned not to touch the hot stove.

• Direct Speech : “We have been waiting here for hours,” they complained.

Indirect Speech : They complained that they had been waiting there for hours.

• Direct Speech : “Let’s have dinner together,” she suggested.

Indirect Speech : She suggested that they should have dinner together.

• Direct Speech : “I might visit Spain next summer,” he mentioned.

Indirect Speech : He mentioned that he might visit Spain the following summer.

• Direct Speech : “The movie starts at 7 PM,” she informed us.

Indirect Speech : She informed us that the movie started at 7 PM.

• Direct Speech : “I can’t attend the meeting tomorrow,” he explained.

Indirect Speech : He explained that he couldn’t attend the meeting the next day.

• Direct Speech : “I am going to Paris next month,” she said.

Indirect Speech : She said that she was going to Paris the following month.

• Direct Speech : “I have lived here for ten years,” he stated.

Indirect Speech : He stated that he had lived there for ten years.

• Direct Speech : “Please pass me the salt,” she requested.

Indirect Speech : She requested to pass her the salt.

• Direct Speech : “I lost my keys yesterday,” he admitted.

Indirect Speech : He admitted that he had lost his keys the day before.

• Direct Speech : “I will be ready in five minutes,” she assured.

Indirect Speech : She assured that she would be ready in five minutes.

• Direct Speech : “She plays the piano beautifully,” he remarked.

Indirect Speech : He remarked that she played the piano beautifully.

• Direct Speech : “I want to be a doctor when I grow up,” she said.

Indirect Speech : She said that she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up.

• Direct Speech : “I have a busy schedule this week,” he mentioned.

Indirect Speech : He mentioned that he had a busy schedule that week.

• Direct Speech : “I don’t like horror movies,” she confessed.

Indirect Speech : She confessed that she didn’t like horror movies.

• Direct Speech : “We finished the project last night,” they explained.

Indirect Speech : They explained that they had finished the project the previous night.

• Direct Speech : “I will buy some groceries on my way home,” she mentioned.

Indirect Speech : She mentioned that she would buy some groceries on her way home.

• Direct Speech : “He can speak three languages fluently,” they informed us.

Indirect Speech : They informed us that he could speak three languages fluently.

• Direct Speech : “I finished reading that book last week,” he stated.

Indirect Speech : He stated that he had finished reading that book the previous week.

• Direct Speech : “I am attending the conference next month,” she declared.

Indirect Speech : She declared that she was attending the conference the following month.

• Direct Speech : “The train leaves at 8 AM,” he reminded me.

Indirect Speech : He reminded me that the train left at 8 AM.

• Direct Speech : “Please pass the message to Sarah,” Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech are requested.

Indirect Speech : He requested to pass the message to Sarah.

• Direct Speech : “We should submit the report by Friday,” she suggested.

Indirect Speech : She suggested that they should submit the report by Friday.

52. Direct Speech: I said to her, When do you do your homework.”

Indirect Speech: I asked her when she did her homework.

53. Direct Speech: We said to him, “Are you ill?”

Indirect Speech: We asked him if he was ill.

54. Direct Speech: You said to me, “Have you read the articles?”

Indirect Speech: You asked me if I read the article.

55. Direct Speech: He said, “May you live long.”

Indirect Speech: He prayed that I may live long.

If you believe that the examples of direct and indirect speech from above have garnered you the needed confidence, you should download the following practice reported speech exercise and test your learning for assurance. 

Explore more exciting reads below:

This was all about the 50 examples of Direct and Indirect Speech exercises. Hopefully, you understood the usage of the speech. To read more voice blogs, follow Leverage Edu .

Harshita is a creative writer cum literature enthusiast in pursuit to extend her learnings of overseas and Indian education sectors to the masses, through her well-curated articles. You may also find her emerging in prose writing or reading Toni Morrison when not writing stuff related to education.

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