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Different Tenses in Reported Speech



We shall see how to change different tenses from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.


First, let’s recap the rules ( Direct to Indirect ):

1. We remove comma and quotation marks, and replace them with ‘that’

2. The reported verb takes its past form.

3. The pronouns are changed according to the subject and the situation.


Now, look at how to change the sentences in different tenses, from Direct to Indirect.


Simple Present

Nitya said, “ I am happy” ( Direct Speech )

Nitya said that she was happy. ( Indirect )


Present Continuous

He said, “ I am doing homework” ( Direct )

He said that he was doing homework. ( Indirect )


Present Perfect

Pradeep said,“ I have finished my project work.” ( Direct )

Pradeep said that he had finished his project work. ( Indirect )


Present Perfect Continuous

Keerthi said, “I have been playing badminton since morning”.(Direct)

Keerthi said that she had been playing badminton since morning.(Indirect)


Simple Past

Guru said, “I was sad yesterday”. ( Direct )

Guru said that he was sad the previous day. ( Indirect )


Past Continuous

Laxmi said, “I was sleeping at that time” ( Direct )

Laxmi said she had been sleeping at that time. ( Indirect )


will:

He said,"I will finish dinner as early as possible". (Direct)

He said that he would finish dinner as early as possible. (Indirect)


may

Farid said, “I may go to Guntur”. ( Direct )

Farid said that he might go to Guntur. ( Indirect )


can

Mounika said, “I can remove the colours” ( Direct )

Mounika said that she could remove the colours. ( Indirect )



shall

Dinesh said, “I shall bring some apples from the market”. ( Direct )

Dinesh said that he would bring some apples from the market. ( Indirect )


Practice

Change the following sentences into indirect speech

1. Ramya said,"I am not well".

2. Tagore said,"It may rain". 

3. Rajesh said,"My father is going to Vijayawada". 

4. He said to me,"I will meet your father".

5. Fatima said,"I have met your brother somewhere". 



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