Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet

Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet: Whenever we talk about direct and indirect speech, we often confuse ourselves with both speeches. For all those who don’t know direct speech is used to denote the exact words that are spoken. Indirect speech is used to talk about the past. Want to learn more about these?  Continue reading this blog as it will talk about direct and indirect speech. 

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

Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet PDF 

Check out the worksheet which we have prepared for Direct and Indirect Speech. 

Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet

Click here to download

What is Direct Speech?

In direct speech, the speaker repeats or quotes the exact words spoken. When direct speech is used, the words are often spoken between quotation marks (“ “). It implies that the words used in quotation marks are the exact words the person has used. 

Here are some examples of how direct speech is used in sentences:

1. She says, “What time will you be home?”
2. “There’s a fly in my soup!”, shouted Peter.

Also Read: Reported Speech Rules with Tips and Exercises for Students

What is Indirect Speech?

Indirect speech is usually used in sentences to talk about the past so the tenses of spoken words can be changed. We usually use reporting verbs like ‘say’, ‘ask’ and ‘too’ to introduce the reported words. Remember that inverted commas are not used in the sentences. 

Here are some examples of how indirect speech is used in sentences.

1. George told Alice she needed to be there at ten o’clock.
2. I told Peter I hoped he would join us at the party.

Also Read: Direct and Indirect Speech: Comprehensive Guide with Exercises

Rules for Changing Indirect to Direct Speech

Here are some rules that you should remember while converting sentences from indirect to direct or vice versa. Remember that to change the sentence from direct to indirect, the rules of direct speech will reverse.

• Make sure you use the reporting verb, “say” or “said” in its correct tense.
• Remove the conjunctions such as “that, to, if, or whether etc”.
• Insert quotation marks, exclamation, question mark and full stop wherever necessary.
• Change the past tense into the present tense wherever the reporting verb is in the past tense.
• Put a comma before the statement.
• Write the first word of the statement in capital letters.

Also Read: Tenses Rules: Charts, Examples, Types [PDF Available]

Direct and Indirect Exercise 1

Here is a small exercise where you have to convert direct speech into indirect speech.

1. She said, “I will go to the party tonight.”
2. He said, “I haven’t seen in you ages.”
3. She asked, “Do you know where is the library.”
4. He shouted, “Get out of my room!”
5. She exclaimed, “I can’t believe I won tonight.”

Answers:

1. She said she would go to the party tonight.
2. He said that he hadn’t seen him in ages.
3. She asked where the library was.
4. He ordered to get out of his room.
5. She couldn’t believe that she had won tonight.

Must Read: Subject-Verb Agreement: Definition, 12 Rules & Examples

Direct and Indirect Exercise 2

Check out a small exercise which we have prepared. Convert the following sentences from indirect speech to direct speech.

1. She said that she would be there soon.
2. She asked me if I was ready to go.
3. He said that he would help me with the homework.
4. She wondered if I knew where the keys were.

Answers:

1. She said, “I will be there soon.”
2. She asked, “Are you ready to go.”
3. He said, “I will help you with your homework.”
4. She asked, “Do you know where are my keys?”

Also Read: Also Read: Adjective: Definition, Usage, Example, Forms, Types

Direct and Indirect Exercise 3

Exercise: Change the tenses in the following sentences to indirect speech.

1. He said that he played football every day. (Change to past perfect)
2. She said that she would have gone to the party if she had known about it. (Change to past perfect)
3. He asked if I had seen his phone. (Change to simple past)
4. She said that she would be going to the store later. (Change to present perfect)

Also Check: Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Exercise 4

Exercise: Write a short dialogue using both direct and indirect speech.

Direct Speech

Maya: “Wow, these birds are fearless! They practically land on your fingers.”

Alex: (Chuckling) “I know, right? It’s like they can sense exactly who has the most crumbs.”

Maya: “Speaking of crumbs, you wouldn’t happen to have any more of those delicious-looking cookies, would you?” (Winking)

Alex: (Blushing) “Actually, I think I might have stashed one away just for emergencies.” (Pulls out a cookie from his pocket)

Maya: “My hero! You know, I’m starting to think that this park might be my favourite place on Earth, especially with a friend like you.”

Indirect Speech

Maya remarked on the pigeons’ boldness, saying they practically landed on your fingers. Alex chuckled, agreeing that they seemed to sense who had the most crumbs. Maya jokingly asked if he had any more of his delicious cookies, and Alex, blushing, admitted he had one stashed away for emergencies. He presented it to her, earning a smile and the declaration that this park might just be her favourite place, especially with him in it.

This dialogue uses both direct and indirect speech to convey the same information while adding different nuances. The direct speech feels more immediate and informal, while the indirect speech provides a smoother narrative flow.

Also Check: 50 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Exercise 5

Exercise: Identify the type of speech whether it is direct or indirect. For each sentence mark Direct Speech (DS) or Indirect Speech (IS).

1. “I’m going to the gym,” Sarah announced.
2. She told me that she needed help with her homework.
3. “Don’t forget to lock the door,” the mother reminded her child.
4. He wondered if the movie was still playing.
5. The teacher instructed the students to turn to page 54.

Also Read: Figures of Speech with Examples, PDF

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