Direct – Indirect speech

# Tense change from direct speech to indirect speech 

Direct speech = Indirect speech 

1 Present + Present = Present + Present

2 Present + Past = Present + Past 

3 Past + Present = Past + Past

4 Past + Past = Past + Past Perfect

# Rules as per the type of sentence 

5. Assertive sentences 

Say to = Tell (Reporting Verb) 

*Connecting word = that

Ex. He says, “I’m always happy.”

Ans. He says that he is always happy. 

6. Interrogative sentences 

Say = ask/ inquire / Question (Reporting Verbs) 

*Connecting words = verbal questions – if /whether 

No connecting word for ‘Wh’ questions 

*Rule– Convert the question form to statement in indirect speech. 

Ex. He said to her, “Why are you so worried today?”

Ans. He asked her why she was so worried that day. 

Ex. They said to him, “Are you hungry?”

Ans. They asked him if he was hungry. 

7. Imperative sentences 

Say = ask /order /request /command/ tell / suggest/ advise etc. (Reporting Verbs) 

Say to = tell

*Connecting word = to 

Ex. Rita said to her daughter, “Take your medicines on time.”

Ans. Rita advised her daughter to take her medicines on time.

Ex. Sam said to them, “Don’t worry about me.”

Ans. Sam told them not to worry about him. 

        IV.          Exclamatory sentences 

Say = exclaim /cry or utter in wonder etc. (Reporting Verbs) 

*Connecting word = that 

*Rule – Convert the exclamation into a statement using very/ a very

Ex. Sonia said, “What a beautiful painting it is!”

Ans. Sonia exclaimed that it was a very beautiful painting. 

Ex. Ronnie said, “How exciting the offer is!”

Ans. Ronnie exclaimed that the offer was very exciting. 

*Note: 1. Words expressing ‘nearness’ in direct speech are converted to words expressing ‘distance’ in Indirect speech. 

• Pronouns

This – That 

These – Those

• Adverbs 

Now – Then

Here – There 

Ago – Before 

Thus – So

So – that 

Today - That day

Tonight - That night  

Tomorrow – Next day / the day after 

Yesterday – Previous day / the day before 

Note: 2. Points to focus in conversion of direct and indirect speech

• Change in the reporting verb as per the situation. 

• Change in the tense of the main verb in the inverted commas if necessary. 

• Use of the connecting word if needed. 

• Change in the structure of the sentence given inside the inverted commas if needed. 

• Change in the pronouns, adverbs etc. If needed. 

Articles (A, An & The)

• Use of article ‘A’

Used before a singular common noun starting with a consonant sound, before a noun without any reference, special importance and is introduced for the first time in a given situation

Ex.1. A man was standing at the gate.

2. A flower bloomed in the garden. 

3. She visited a European country every year. 

4. They saw a one eyed man staring at them. 

5. The movie has a universal theme. 

6. She has a unique story idea. 

7. They are a united group of people. 

8. She is working for a UK based company. 

9. He saw a ewe grazing in the lawn. 

10. She wanted to see a unicorn. 

11. It was a useful article. 

13. He needed a one-rupee coin. 

• Use of article ‘An’

Used before a singular common noun starting with a vowel sound, before a noun without any reference, special importance and is introduced for the first time in a given situation

Ex. 1. He has an MBA degree. 

2. She is an honest woman. 

3. He is an LIC agent. 

4. He is an heir to a large fortune. 

5. We need an NOC from government. 

• Use of article ‘The’ 

a. Before someone /something particular, special, important or some earlier reference 

Ex. 1. The pen you gave me is really good. 

2. It was the moment; we were all waiting for. 

3. She is the friend I told you about. 

4. This is the book which changed my life. 

b. Before a noun which is only one in the given situation 

Ex. 1. The railway station in our town is always crowded. 

2. The manager of our company is out of town. 

3. The principal of our college has started many new activities. 

4. The prime minister will bring radical changes in the country. 

5. The market in our village does not have many shops. 

c. Before superlative adjective 

Ex. It is the best shopping website to buy electronic gadgets. 

d. Before the unique things 

Ex. The earth rotates around the sun. 

e. Before some proper nouns e.g. The names of most of the geographical phenomenon (mostly oceans, rivers, canals, deserts, group of islands, mountain ranges) Before the proper nouns which are originally descriptive nouns (usually phrases or group of small elements) 

Ex. 1. The Ganga is considered a holy river in India. 

2. The Himalayas are spread across many states. 

3. The Deccan plateau was considered to be earthquake proof. 

4.  The United States of America (USA) has become a super power after the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). 

5. The Infosys Foundation works in the field of education for poor children. 

6. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays a major role in the fuel oils supply to the world. 

7. The European Union has a common currency. 

f. Before the ordinal number followed by a noun. 

Ex. He was the first man to initiate major changes in society. 

g. Before the place where one is going for non obvious reasons. (Not the primary purpose)

Ex. 1. He is visiting the churches in Mumbai to study their architecture. 

2. She is going to the school to attend a PTA meeting. 

h. Before the proper noun which is used as a common noun

Ex. He is the Shakespeare of India. 

i. Before a singular or plural common noun indicating the class 

Ex. 1. The dog is a loyal animal. 

2. The elephants have good memory. 

          j. Before the adjectives which are given the role of a noun 

         Ex. He helped the poor. 

• No article situation

a) Before the abstract nouns, used in general sense (nouns which cannot be understood with the help of five senses) 

Ex. 1.  For me, × friendship is a valuable bond. 

2. We need to show × loyalty to him. 

3. We should not let × hatred take over our positivity. 

b) Before the proper nouns

Ex. We tried to contact × Sheetal but her phone was not reachable. 

c) Before uncountable/material nouns used in general sense (use measurements to count) 

Ex. 1. We need to add × sugar for more sweetness. 

2. You should avoid eating × salt. 

3. Use × oil if necessary. 

d) Before the noun indicating any place serving a certain purpose is visited for their primary purpose. (School, college, church, hospital, market, prison etc.) 

Ex. She went to × church to pray for her son. 

Synthesis of Sentences

Combination of two or more sentences into a simple, complex or compound sentence 

1. For a simple sentence 

• By using a non-finite verb to frame the sentence 

Ex. He jumped off the window. He ran away. 

Ans. Jumping off the window, he ran away. 

Ex. He completed her work. He wanted to help her. 

Ans. He completed her work in order to help her. 

Ex. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. I need to get my check up done. 

Ans. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow to get my check up done. 

Ex. The doctor reached there. The patient was treated in time. 

Ans. The doctor having reached there, the patient was treated in time. 

Ex. The game was very interesting. We all enjoyed it a lot. 

Ans. The game being very interesting, we all enjoyed it a lot. 

• By using a noun or noun phrase in apposition 

Ex. She is my friend. Her name is Namrata. 

Ans. She is my friend, Namrata. 

Ex. I have seen Paris. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 

Ans. I have seen Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 

• By using a prepositional phrase. 

Ex. He was planning to go for a movie. He didn’t want to take his younger sister with him.

Ans. He was planning to go for a movie without his younger sister.

• By using a word or phrase made from the key word of the other sentence. 

Ex. He achieved success. He deserved it. 

Ans. He achieved success deservedly. / He achieved well deserved success. 

2. For a compound sentence 

• By using a suitable coordinating conjunction 

Ex. And, not only... but also, for, so, but, still, yet, nevertheless, or, either...or, neither... nor, as well as, else etc. 

Ex. We went to market. We bought some vegetables. 

Ans. We went to market and bought some vegetables. 

3. For a complex sentence 

• By using a subordinate clause, made out of another sentence i.e., Noun, adjective or adverb clause 

Exercises 

1. He was worried about his job. I didn’t know about it. 

2. She has a good collection of paintings at home. The paintings are very expensive. 

3. He took his daughter to a garden. His daughter enjoyed a lot there.

4. I watched my favourite movie last night. I enjoyed it thoroughly. 

Answers 

1. I didn’t know that he was worried about his job. (Noun clause) 

2. At her home she has a good collection of paintings which are very expensive. (Adjective clause) 

3. He took his daughter to a garden where his daughter enjoyed a lot. (Adverb clause) 

4. Last night I watched my favourite movie which I enjoyed thoroughly. (Adjective clause)

Types of Sentences (AFFIRMATIVE – NEGATIVE)

• Use opposite words in conversion of sentences. 

• Words like hardly, almost, rarely, but, too, except, as soon as, in vain, unable, as well as etc. can be used when Opposite words cannot be used while framing an affirmative sentence. 

Ex. He is always on time. (Affirmative) 

Ans. He is never late. (Negative) 

Exercises for practice. (Rewrite as a negative/ affirmative sentence.)  

1. We wanted to stay back.  

2. He couldn’t break the wall. 

3. Not many students are there in the class. 

4. He’s not only smart but also kind.  

Answers: 

1. We didn’t want to leave. (Negative) 

2. He was unable to break the wall. (Affirmative)

3. There are only a few students in the class or There are hardly any students in the class. (Affirmative) 

4. He’s smart and/ as well as kind. (Affirmative) 

Types of Sentences (ASSERTIVE, INTERROGATIVE, IMPERATIVE, EXCLAMATERY)

1. Assertive sentence/ Statement:

Used for giving information, describing or narrating something, conveying emotions 

Ex. We watched an interesting movie. 

Ex. He is interested in reading novels.

2. Interrogative sentence/ Question:

Used for asking information or creating dramatic effect 

Types: There are three types of interrogative sentences 

A. ‘Wh’ question

Starts with a ‘Wh’ word usually followed by the helping verb

Ex. What are you doing here? 

How many students are participating in the quiz? 

B. Verbal question /yes-no question

Starts with a helping verb

Ex. Are you interested in joining our team? 

C. Rhetorical question

A question where answer is not expected, it is used to give emotional or dramatic effect. It can be a verbal or ‘Wh’ question. The meaning of a rhetorical question can be given in an assertive sentence. 

Ex. Shouldn’t you pay attention?

Ans. You should pay attention.

Exercises:  Conversion of a rhetorical question into an assertive sentence

1. What is the use of helping these ungrateful people? 

2. Isn’t it your responsibility to take care of your health? 

3. Why should we waste so much time on social media? 

4. Who can deny their contribution in our success? 

Answers: 

1. There is no use of helping these ungrateful people. / Helping these ungrateful people is of no use.

2. It is your responsibility to take care of your health.

3. We should not waste so much time on social media.

4. No one can deny their contribution in our success.

3. Imperative sentence:

It starts with a main verb, the subject of the imperative sentence is, ‘you’, using the subject is avoided and the subject is called ‘understood you’. It is used for requests, commands or suggestions etc.

Ex. Start working on the project. 

Take a left turn after 2 km. 

Come in. 

Come here quickly. 

Please help me in finding a new job. 

4. Exclamatory sentence:

Used to show excitement or emotional expression like anger, fear, joy, surprise etc. 

Ex. What a beautiful picture it is! 

Ans. It is a very beautiful picture.

Ex. How impressive the work is! 

Ans. The work is very impressive.

Types of Sentences (SIMPLE, COMPOUND and COMPLEX)

1. Simple sentence – A sentence which has only one subject and predicate/ only one main clause 

Ex. He works hard on every aspect of the plan. 

2. Compound sentence – A sentence which has two or more main /principal clauses

Ex. He is new here and wants to know this place more. 

3. Complex sentence – A sentence which has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. 

Ex. If you don’t work hard, you can not survive here. 

Conversions 

I. Simple –> Compound 

• Convert the non-finite verb into a finite verb in appropriate tense and frame a main clause. Use a suitable coordinating conjunction. 

Ex. You must work hard to create a place for yourself in the organisation. 

Ans. You must work hard and create a place for yourself in the organisation.

• Expand a word or phrase into a main clause and use a suitable coordinating conjunction 

Ex. In an exciting match, they won by 3 wickets. 

Ans. It was an exiting match and they won by 3 wickets. 

II. Compound –> Simple 

• Frame the sentence, using a non finite form of any of the main verbs. Remove the conjunction. Use any suitable phrase (Ex. In spite of..., in case of..., in the event of..., along with..., besides... etc.) or a suitable preposition (on, despite etc.) if necessary to retain the meaning. A negative word might be necessary to balance the meaning of the sentence. 

Ex. She completed her work and left for her home. 

Ans. Completing her work, she left for her home. 

Ex. She tried to help her friends but she could not. 

Ans. In spite of /Despite trying to help her friends, she could not. 

Ex. You need to complete the assignment today or you will fail in the examination. 

Ans. In case of not completing the assignment today, you will fail in the examination. 

Ex. He not only helped the boy to find shelter but also gave him some money. 

Ans. Besides / Along with helping the boy to find shelter, he also gave him some money. 

Ex. The solders arrived and the people were rescued. 

Ans. The soldiers having arrived, the people were rescued. /On arrival of the soldiers, the people were rescued. 

III. Simple –> complex 

• Expand any word or phrase into a subordinate clause 

Ex. A dangerous looking man was staring at them. 

Ans. A man who looked / was looking dangerous, was staring at them. 

• Use any suitable dummy subject and frame the sentence. 

Ex. I wanted to buy this book. 

Ans. This is the book I wanted to buy. /This is the book which I wanted to buy. 

IV. Complex –> Simple 

• Convert the subordinate clause into a phrase or a word. 

Ex. Great leaders have something in them that gives motivation to people. 

Ans. Great leaders have something in them, giving motivation to people. 

• Remove the dummy subject and rewrite the sentence. 

Ex. It is the consumer who pays for the advertisement. 

Ans. The consumer pays for the advertisement. 

• Convert any appropriate main verb into a non finite verb and frame the sentence. 

Ex. Birds use different sounds which indicate different emotions. 

Ans. Birds use different sounds indicating different emotions.

V. Compound = Complex 

• Interchange the conjunctions or use a connecting word with similar meaning as per the type of sentence. 

• Rearrange the sentence if necessary. 

• Use the following alternatives for reference. 

Coordinating conjunctions = Subordinating conjunctions / connecting words

And = As, when, as soon as, since, because, so... that, who, whom, that, which etc. 

But = Though, if, even if, than etc. 

Or = If... not, unless 

Ex. He was very good in sports and he has won the first prize in all the races. 

Ans. As/ Since he was very good in sports, he has won the first prize in all the races. 

Ex. They reached there as early as possible but they were late for the function. 

Ans. Though they reached there as early as possible, they were late for the function. 

Ex. You should come with us or you will miss out the fun. 

Ans. Unless you come with us, you will miss out the fun. 

Clauses

 

Clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb which is usually a part of a sentence. 

Types 

• Main Clause: 

• Subordinate Clause:

Subordinate Clause is further divided into the following types. 

1. Noun clause: 

i. As a subject: Ex. What he said was true.

ii. As an object: Ex. He says that he won’t leave me alone. 

iii. As an object of the preposition: Ex. There is no point in what you are doing. 

iv. As a complement of the verb: Ex. His greatest fear is that he may get arrested there. 

2. Adjective clause:

Ex. He’s the man whom I can trust completely. 

Ex. They are looking for a hero who will save them from their miseries.

Ex. He wants to play a role that will change his image. 

Ex. He is trying to get a job which will tap his true potential. 

3. Adverb clause:

i. Time: Ex. He will complete the work when the equipment is available. 

ii. Place: Ex. They should invest their money in a scheme where it will grow faster. 

iii. Purpose: Ex. I will give you guidelines so that you can complete the work on your own. 

iv. Reason / Cause: Ex. They worked hard because they wanted to achieve success. 

v. Condition: Ex. If it rains, we will have to cancel our plan. 

vi. Result: Ex. He is such a good man that all respect him. 

vii. Comparison: Ex. He is taller than his brother. 

viii. Concession: Ex. Though he was angry, he kept quiet. 

ix. Manner: Ex. She behaves as if she’s a queen. 

Non-finite Verbs: Infinitive, Gerund and Participles

o The main verbs which function as noun, adjective or adverb.

o They do not change their form as per the tense or subject.

o They do not indicate any particular tense.

• Infinitive

Form: V1 /original form of the main verb (with or without ‘to’)

Function: noun or adjective

Ex. 1. He loves to dance. (noun)

2. This is not the time to play. (Part of the noun phrase)

3. To err is human but to forgive is Devine. (noun)

4. Dry fruits are good to eat. (Part of the adjective phrase)

5. It is necessary to discuss things openly. (Part of the noun phrase)

6. It requires great strength to change the wrong habits. (Part of the noun phrase)

7. His greatest desire is to perform live. (Part of the noun phrase working as a complement)

8. The children were eager to go home. (Part of the adjective phrase)

• Gerund

Form: V4 / ‘- ing’ form of the main verb

Function: noun

Ex. 1. The beginning of the movie was promising but the ending was disappointing. (nouns)

2. Cheating will never be tolerated here. (noun)

3. He loves dancing. (noun)

4. We were prevented from playing cricket there. (Part of the noun phrase)

5. Marketing helps to increase the sale. (noun)

• Participles

 Types

I. Present participle

Form: V4 / ‘- ing’ form of the main verb

Function: adjective or adverb

Ex. 1. Working women need the skill of time management. (adjective)

2. Developing countries face many issues due to lack of sufficient resources. (adjective)

3. Disturbing facts can not be ignored. (adjective)

4. Thinking it’s safe, he crossed the road. (adverb)

5. Playing various games, he gained health. (adverb)

6. Playing cricket, he gained popularity. (adverb)

II. Past participle

Form: V3 /perfect form of the main verb

Function: adjective or adverb

Ex. 1. Advanced information will help you to perform well. (adjective)

2. Well connected network is the need of the day. (adjective)

3. Self created problems need self analysis to solve them. (adjective)

4. Recycled material will decrease the burden on the earth. (adjective)

5. A drunk man was driving the car. (adjective)

6. The documents should be signed by an authorised person. (adjective)

7. Armed forces were sent to rescue them. (adjective)

8. Fried food is not good for health. (adjective)

9. Driven by hunger, he stole a piece of bread. (adverb)

# Functions of noun: Subject, object, complement and object of the prepositional phrase (Ex. He’s interested in collecting stamps.)

# Exercises for conversion

1. He loves to play football. (Remove the Infinitive and rewrite the sentence.)

2. Working with you is an honour. (Remove the gerund and rewrite the sentence.)

3. Dealing with you is difficult. (Use an Infinitive and rewrite the sentence.)

#Answers

1. He loves playing football.

2. It is an honour to work with you. / To work with you is an honour.

3. It is difficult to deal with you.