Direct and reported speech

Converting direct speech to indirect (reported) speech and back.

English for Communication5 questions
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Key changes in reported speech

When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked):

  • Tenses usually move back: am/is → was, will → would, have → had.
  • Pronouns change to fit the reporter: I → he/she, we → they.
  • Time and place words change: now → then, today → that day, here → there, tomorrow → the next day.
  • Questions become statements: “Where do you live?” → He asked where I lived.

Practice questions

She said, “I am busy.” → She said that she ___ busy.Easy
He said, “I will come tomorrow.” → He said that he would come ___.Medium
The teacher asked, “Have you finished?” → The teacher asked ___.Medium
Mother said, “Don’t touch the stove.” → Mother told us ___.Medium
He said, “The earth is round.” → He said that the earth ___ round.Hard
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