Two important tools of narration are direct and indirect speech. Essentially when a person’s words are directly quoted they are presented in direct speech.

However in case of indirect speech, for the purpose of narration the words of a person are reported rather than quoted.

Inverted commas or quotation marks are mandatory in case of direct speech but not used in case of indirect speech.

Here are some examples to help you understand this difference better.

1. Direct: “I am happy,” she said.

Indirect: She said that she is happy.

2. Direct: “There is no reason for you to interfere in this matter,” he said to me.

Indirect: He told me that there is no reason for me to interfere in the matter.

3. Direct: “Pari, I am sorry for my behaviour,” Neel apologized.

Indirect: Neel apologized to Pari for his behaviour.

4. Direct: “I am guilty,” Manish said.

Indirect: Manish confessed his guilt.

5. Direct: “I am going to be late tonight,” Samir mentioned.

Indirect: Samir mentioned that he was going to be late that night.

Answer these questions yourself. Choose the most appropriate option.

1. Change to direct speech.

Aunty requested me to take care of Sonu while she visited the market.

1. “Will you please take care of Sonu?” Aunty requested.
2. “Can you please take care of Sonu?” Aunty asked.
3. “Will you please look after Sonu while I visit the market?” Aunty requested.
4. “Take care of Sonu,” Aunty instructed.

2. Change to indirect speech.

“I want to talk to you,” Reshma said to me.

1. Reshma said that she wanted to talk to me.
2. Reshma said that she wanted to talk.
3. Reshma likes to talk to me.
4. I am going to talk to Reshma.

3. Change to direct speech.

Akash mentioned that he would be unable to complete the work before Friday.

1. “I will be unable to complete the work,” Akash cried.
2. “I am not going to do the work before Friday,” Akash stated.
3. “I will be unable to complete the work before Friday,” Akash said.
4. “I am doing the work but cannot finish it soon,” Akash mentioned.

4. Change to indirect speech.

“Rahul is a very ill-behaved person,” Fatima stated.

1. Fatima stated that Rahul has no manners.
2. Fatima complained that Rahul was a very ill-behaved person.
3. Fatima stated her dislike about Rahul.
4. Rahul does not behave well with Fatima.

5. Change to direct speech.

The little boy respectfully asked the man if he had seen the boy’s mother.

1. “Where is my mother?” the little boy asked.
2. “Have you seen my mother?” the little boy enquired.
3. “Take me to my mother,” the little boy cried.
4. “Sir, have you seen my mother?” the little boy asked.

6. Change to indirect speech.

“I am hungry. Please give me some food,” Shweta said.

1. Shweta stated that she was hungry and requested that some food be provided to her.
2. Shweta demanded that food be given to her since she was hungry.
3. Shweta asked whether any food was available.
4. Food was what Shweta was looking for.

7. Change to direct speech.

Harry said that he will send me the test scores as soon as they are released.

1. “I will send you the test scores,” Harry stated.
2. “I will send you the test scores soon,” Harry said.
3. “I will send you the test scores as soon as they are released,” Harry promised.
4. “I will see the marks and let you know,” Harry remarked.

8. Change to indirect speech.

“I am scared,” Rahul said.

1. Rahul confessed that he was scared.
2. Rahul said that he was not scared.
3. Rahul can be scared very easily.
4. Rahul’s cowardice comes out in times of need.

9. Change to direct speech.

Dipu invited me to the party taking place at his house on Sunday.

1. “Come to my party,” Dipu said.
2. “Please attend my party on Sunday. It will be taking place at my house,” Dipu invited.
3. “My party is on Sunday. You don’t have to come,” Dipu stated.
4. “Party with me,” Dipu proposed.

10. Change to indirect speech.

“I am determined to change the system,” Sahil said.

1. Sahil stated that there needs to be a change in the system.
2. Sahil believes that a change is in the making.
3. Sahil wants a change to come about in the system.
4. Sahil said that he is determined to change the system.

ANSWER KEY

1. c) “Will you please look after Sonu while I visit the market?” Aunty requested.
2. a) Reshma said that she wanted to talk to me.
3. c) “I will be unable to complete the work before Friday,” Akash said.
4. b) Fatima complained that Rahul was a very ill-behaved person.
5. d) “Sir, have you seen my mother?” the little boy asked.
6. a) Shweta stated that she was hungry and requested that some food be provided to her.
7. c) “I will send you the test scores as soon as they are released,” Harry promised.
8. a) Rahul confessed that he was scared.
9. b) “Please attend my party on Sunday. It will be taking place at my house,” Dipu invited.
10. d) Sahil said that he is determined to change the system.