Direct to Indirect Speech Converter

Reporting Verb Changes

The reporting verb may change depending on the type of sentence:

• Statements: said, told, stated, mentioned, etc.
• Questions: asked, inquired, questioned, etc.
• Commands: ordered, commanded, instructed, etc.
• Requests: requested, asked, begged, etc.

Tense Changes

Tenses generally shift backward in time:

Pronoun Changes

Pronouns change according to the point of view:

• First person pronouns (I, we, me, us, my, our) change according to the subject of the reporting verb.
• Second person pronouns (you, your) change according to the object of the reporting verb.
• Third person pronouns (he, she, they, etc.) usually remain unchanged.

Do tenses always change in indirect speech?

No, tenses don’t always change. If the reporting verb is in the present tense or if the direct speech expresses a general truth, the tense may remain the same.

How do I convert questions to indirect speech?

For yes/no questions, use “if” or “whether”. For wh-questions, keep the question word. In both cases, change the word order to subject + verb. Example: “Are you happy?” becomes “He asked if I was happy.”

How do I convert commands to indirect speech?

Use a reporting verb like “told”, “ordered”, or “asked” followed by the object and an infinitive. Example: “Sit down!” becomes “He told me to sit down.”

Understanding Direct Speech

Direct speech, also known as quoted speech, is the exact repetition of words spoken by someone. It uses quotation marks to enclose the speaker’s actual words and maintains the original tense, pronouns, and time references. Direct speech provides a verbatim account of what was said, making it useful for accurate reporting and storytelling.

Example: Sarah said, “I will attend the meeting tomorrow.”

Understanding Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)

Indirect speech, commonly called reported speech, conveys the meaning of what someone said without using their exact words. It doesn’t use quotation marks and typically involves changes in tenses, pronouns, and time expressions. This form of speech is essential for formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication.

Example: Sarah said that she would attend the meeting the next day.

Why Convert Direct to Indirect Speech?

• Academic Writing: Research papers and essays often require indirect speech for citing sources and interviews
• Professional Communication: Business reports and formal documents use reported speech for summarizing conversations
• News Reporting: Journalists frequently convert quotes to indirect speech for varied reporting styles
• Legal Documentation: Court proceedings and legal documents often require indirect speech formatting
• Language Learning: ESL students need to master both forms for comprehensive English proficiency

Time and Place Expressions

When converting direct to indirect speech, time and place expressions often change to maintain chronological accuracy:

Special Cases and Exceptions

• Universal Truths: When direct speech expresses a universal truth or scientific fact, the tense may remain unchanged. Example: “The Earth is round” → He said that the Earth is round.
• Present Reporting Verb: If the reporting verb is in present tense, the tense in indirect speech may not change. Example: He says, “I am busy” → He says that he is busy.
• Conditional Sentences: Type 2 and Type 3 conditionals usually remain unchanged in indirect speech.
• Past Perfect: Past perfect tense typically remains unchanged when converting to indirect speech.
• Modal Verbs: Some modals like ‘might’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘ought to’ often remain unchanged.

Exercise 1: Basic Statements

Convert these direct speech statements to indirect speech:

• “I love reading books,” she said.
• “We have completed our project,” they announced.
• “The meeting starts at 9 AM,” he informed.
• “I can’t attend the party,” Maria explained.

Exercise 2: Questions

Transform these direct questions into indirect speech:

• “Where are you going?” he asked.
• “Have you finished your homework?” the teacher inquired.
• “Will you join us for dinner?” they invited.
• “What time is it?” she wondered.

Exercise 3: Commands and Requests

Convert these imperatives to indirect speech:

• “Please close the door,” he requested.
• “Don’t be late,” she warned.
• “Help me with this task,” he asked.
• “Turn off your phones,” the teacher instructed.