1. Definition
- Direct Speech: The exact words of the speaker are reported within quotation marks.
- Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): The speaker’s words are reported without using quotation marks and often involve tense changes.
Example:
- Direct: Ram said, “I am reading a book.”
- Indirect: Ram said that he was reading a book.
- Direct (Hindi): राम ने कहा, “मैं किताब पढ़ रहा हूँ।”
- Indirect (Hindi): राम ने कहा कि वह किताब पढ़ रहा था।
2. Rules for Reporting Statements, Questions, Commands, and Requests
A. Statements
- Remove quotation marks.
- Use ‘that’ (optional).
- Change pronouns and tense if needed.
- Direct: She said, “I like apples.”
- Indirect: She said that she liked apples.
- Hindi: उसने कहा, “मुझे सेब पसंद हैं।” → उसने कहा कि उसे सेब पसंद थे।
B. Questions
- Yes/No Questions: Use if/whether.
- Direct: He asked, “Are you coming?”
- Indirect: He asked if I was coming.
- Hindi: उसने पूछा, “क्या तुम आ रहे हो?” → उसने पूछा कि क्या मैं आ रहा था।
- Wh-Questions: Keep the question word.
- Direct: She asked, “Where do you live?”
- Indirect: She asked where I lived.
- Hindi: उसने पूछा, “तुम कहाँ रहते हो?” → उसने पूछा कि मैं कहाँ रहता था।
C. Commands / Requests
- Use ‘to’ + verb for reporting commands/requests.
- Direct: He said, “Close the door.”
- Indirect: He told me to close the door.
- Hindi: उसने कहा, “दरवाजा बंद करो।” → उसने मुझे दरवाजा बंद करने के लिए कहा।
3. Tense Changes in Reported Speech
| Direct Speech Tense | Indirect Speech Tense |
|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| Past Simple | Past Perfect |
| Past Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| Past Perfect | No change |
| Future Simple (will) | would |
| Future Continuous (will be) | would be |
| Future Perfect (will have) | would have |
Note: Tense changes are not needed if the reporting verb is in present tense.
Quick Tips
- Pronouns must be changed according to the context.
- Time expressions often change (today → that day, tomorrow → next day).
- Commands/requests are reported using ‘to’ + infinitive.