Heasked
again whether supper be ready soon.
12
n order
thathe learn the language quickly, he en 17. I wished that come earlier.
12 gageda teacher. 18. He said that he try again.
he do it. 19. He worked hard so that he win the prize.
saidthat
14 He thievesstole
whatever they. fnd in the house. 20. We ran so that we arrive in time.
15 The
beggedthatwe pardon him. 21. He said that he give an early reply.
I6 He
EXERCISE 103
SupplyVerbsin correct concordlin the following complex sentences.
because it enormous quantities of milk.
They soldthe house old. 6. He had a cow that
He solermnly assured them that they quite mistaken. 7. When the sun set he home.
Icame home before it to rain. 8. He told them that they. wrong.
3. sodierss advancedI
4. The when the bugle 9. Iheard that there adisturbance in the city.
lasked him what his name 10. Could you doubt that there aGod ?
s
CHAPTER 16: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
a8 We may report the words ot a speaker in two ways:
(0 We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech. called Indirect(or Reported)
() We may report what he said without quoting his exact words. This is
Speech.
Direct. Rama said, I am very busy now:
Indirect. Rama said that he was very busy then.
inverted commas to mark off the exact words of the
It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use
speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not. above Direct Speech into Indirect certain changes have
It willbe further noticed that in changing the
been made. Thus :
before the Indirect statement
() We have used the conjunction that
pronoun I is changed tohe. (The Pronoun is changed in Person.)
(i) The Past.)
(i) The verb am is changed to was. (Present Tense is changed to
(v) The adverb now is changed to then.
ules for Changing Direct Speech into Indirect tenses of the Direct are changed
reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, al Present
2 When the Tenses. Thus:
Into the corresponding Past simple past.
becomes a
(9) Asimple present
Direct. He said, 'Iam unwell.! unwell.
Indirect. He said (that) he was
present continuous becomes a past continuous.
(0) A letters.
said'My master is writing
Direct. He master was writing letters.
Indirect, He said (that) his
a past perfect.
() Apresent perfect becomes examination."
have passed the
Direct. He said'I examination.
had passed the
Indirect. He said (that) he
English.
The
thati is often omitted especiallyinspoken
DIRECT AND INDIRECTSPEECH 215
intoshould.should.
Note: The shall of the Future Tense is changed
into would or
changed Indirect.
The will of the Future Tenseis perfectin the
becomes the past
As a rule, the simple pastin the Direct
Direct. He saidThe horse died in the night. universal truth
Indirect. He said that the horse had died in the night.
relevant or if it is a We can
change if the statement is still
them.
oten
99A. The tenses may not tenses or change
choose whether to keep the original
Direct. 'I know her address, said Gopi. address.
Indirect. Gopi said he knowsknew her
round the sun.
Direct. The teacher said, Theearth goes
goes/went round thesun.
Indirect. The teacher said the earth
Direct. 'German is easy to learn', she said.
Indirect. She said German is/was easy to lean. true or when we are reporting
uncertain if the statement is
The past tense is often used when it is
objectively. the tenses of the Direct Speech do not change. For example.
100. Ifthe reporting verb is in the Present Tense, reporting verb in the Present Tense,
thus:
examples, putting the
We may rewrite the above
He says he is unwell.
He has just said his master is writing letters.
He says he has passed the examination.
He says the horse died in the night.
Direct Speech are changed, where necessary, so that their relations with the report
101. The pronouns of the the original speaker, are indicated. Observe the following
examples
and his hearer, rather than with
Direct. He said to me, 'Idon't believe you.
Indirect. He said he didn't believe me.
Direct. She said to him, Idon't believe you.
Indirect. She said she didn't believe him.
Direct.
Isaid to him,Idon't believe you.
Indirect. Isaid I didn't believe him.
Direct.
Isaid to you, 'Idon't believe you.
Indirect. Isaid I didn't believe you.
place are generally changed into words exXpressing distance. hus
102. Words expressing nearness in time orthen becomes that day
now
becomes today
here there tomorrow the next day
before yesterday the day before
ago
thus last night the night before
Direct. He said, 'Iam glad to be here this evening
Indirect. He said that he was glad to be there this evening.
eg
is reported during the same period or at the same place;
The changes do not occur if the speech evening'
Direct. He says, 'Iam glad to be here this
Indirect. He says he is glad to be here that evening, handal
changed to that and those near at
103. Similarly, this and these are unless the thing pointed out is
the time of reporting the speech.
Questions etc
104. In reporting questions the Indirect Speech is introduced by some such verbs as asked,
inquired,
whethe
When the question is nottintroduced by an interrogative word, the by
or if.
reporting verb is followed
Direct. He said to me, What are you doing?"
Indirect. He asked me what Iwas doing.
English.
*The that in often omitted specially in spoken
216 HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Direct.
Indirect. Where do
The strangeryou live ?' asked the
Direct.
The enquired where I stranger.
Indirect. The policeman said to us,Wherelived.
He policeman enquired where we you going
Direct. are
Indirect. He said,Will you listen to such a were going
asked them whether man ?"
[Or] Would they, he they would listen to such a
Direct.
Do you suppose youasked, isten to such a man ? man.
Indirect.
his angry mother jeered know better than your own father ?' jeered his angry
and asked whether bo mother.
eiunnoged thathe knew better than hisown father.
(mandsand Requests
Inreporting commands and requests, the Indirect Speech is
mand or request, and the introduced by some verb expressing com-
Direct. imperative
Rama mood is changed into the
said to Arjun Infinitive.
Go
Indirect. Rama ordered Arjun to goaway
Direct. He said to him
Please wait
away.
Indirect. He requested him to wait here till I return'
Direct. 'Call the first witness; saidthere till he returned.
the judge.
Indirect. The judge commanded them to call the
Direct. He first witness.
Indirect.
shouted,Let me go.
He shouted to them to let him go.
Direct. He said,Be quiet and listen to my
Indirect.
words'
He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.
amations and Wishes
6In reporting exclamations and wishes, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb expressing ex
clamation or wish.
Direct. He said,Alas ! Iam undone
Indirect He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct Alice said, How clever Iam !'
Indirect Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Direct He said, Bravo ! You have done well.'
Indirect. He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Direct. 'So help me, Heaven!' he cried, 'Iwill never steal again.'
Indirect. He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.
EXERCISE 104
lurn the following into Indirect Speech.
to play with fire!
e said to me, 'l have often told you not
2 You have alldone very badly ! remarked the teacher. matter
3. about settling this
They wrote,'It is time we thought school tomorrow, I willexplain
it!
4. Theteacher promised," If you will come before for myson's return.
5. She wrotel lam waiting and watching andbring longing me questions about what i have told you to do
books intothe room nor ask
6. The examiner's orders 'No
were, one is to me yourfirst-born child!
7. when you are Queen you will give
Theedwarf said to her, 'Promise me that give up my claim!
in afew minutes I will punished
8. l do not prove iit Ithe king who had so cruelly treated you'
9.
That is my horse' said he,'and ifcried, will not enter Athens until Thave
certainly start as soon as I am well enough to do so!
1 wil your wrongs, he
'I ill, butI will
Hewrotdayavenge
10. unable to come just now becauselam your living, so you must set off, and make your own
I1, e
and said, Tam
One he sentfor Cassim and saidto him, You are now old enough to earn
way in the world.!
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH 217
.iEXERCISE 105
Turn the following intoindirectSpeech.
1. What do you want?' he said to her. 14. "Have you anything to tell me, little bird ?' asked Ulyse
2. He said, 'How's your father ?' 15. The young sparrow said, Mother, what is
3. 'Are you coming home with me 'he asked. 16. Then aloud he said, Tell me, boy,is the that queer
4. He enquired, When do you intend to pay me ?' 17. Who are you, sir, and what do you wantmil er within
5. He said to us, Why are you all sitting about there doing ?'they cried
18. 'Dear bird/ she said, stroking its feathers,
nothing
6. Do you really come from China ?'said the prince.
to comfort me in my sorrow ?'
19. The Rajah was deeply grieved, and saidI
have you Com
to his
7. The poor man excaimed, Will none of you help me ?
8. Which way did she go ?'asked the young Rakshas.
can Ido for you?
20. When the sun got low, the king's son
wite, ha
9. Aladdin said to the magician, What have I done todeserve said, 'Jack, since
have no money, where can we lodge this night
so severe a blow?' 21. She said to him, What is it that makess you
5O
10. Dont you know the way home ?'asked I.
11, Do you write in a good hand ?' he said.
and braver than any other man ?
22. When the Brahmin approached, the first
thief
muchstronceh
12. Have you anything to say on behalf of the prisoner ?' said do you carry adog on your back ? Are you not said,
the judge finally.
13. Which is the proper way to answer this question, father ? ashamed?
the boy enquired.
EXERCISE 106
Put the following inindirect Speech.
1. "Bring me a drink of milk/ said the swami to the
2. "Sit down, boys, said the teacher.
villagers. 7. 'Hurry up' he said to his servant,'do not waste time'
3. Halt !'shouted the officer to his men. 8. 'Run away, children, said their mother.
9. Hesaid,'Daughter, take myy golden jug, and fetch me some
4. Take off your hat' the king said to the Hatter. water from the well!
5. The teacher said to him, 'Do not read so fast! 10. 'Go down to the bazaar. Bringme some oil and a lumog
6. He said to me, Wait until Icome! 0ce' ordered his master.
EXERCISE 107
Put the foliowing inindirect Speech.
1. What a rare article milk is, to be sure, in London I' saidMr. 6. "How smart youare!'she said.
Squeers with a sigh. 7. He said, 'Oh ! that's a
2. What a stupid fellow you are !'he angrily remarked. nuisance!
8. He said, 'How cruel of him !'
3. He said, 'My God ! l am ruined! 9. He said, 'Whata pity you did not come !'
4. He said, 'Alas ! our foes are too strong' 10. 'Ah me ! exclaimed the Queen, What a rash and bc00)
5. He said, What a lazy boy you are ! How badly you have deed you have done !'
done your work !
Conversion of Indirect into Direct
107. The conversion of Indirect into Direct generally presents no
ples will show. special difficulties. as the following exa
Indirect. He inquired whether his name was not Ahmed.
Direct. He said to him, Is your name not Ahmed ?"
Indirect. As the stranger entered the town, he was met by a policeman, who asked him if he was a travellerHe
replied carelessly that it would appear so.
Direct As the stranger entered the town, he was met by a policeman, who asked, 'Are youatraveller
'So it would appear, he
Indirect.
answered
she asked how she, a girl, carelessly.
who could not ride or use sword or lance, could be of anyhelp
Rather would she stay at home and spin
Direct. she said, 'How can I, a girl, who cannot beside
ride orher
usedear
sword or lance, be of any help? Rather
mother.
would I stay at home and spin beside my dear mother?'
218 HiGH SCHOOL ENGLISH GRAMMAR
EXERCISE 108
fllowing innDirect Speech.
the
t asked Rama to go with him.
He replied
1
Rama
that he could not do so.
1 Heasked his father when the next letter would come. 24. The lady inquired if he was nowquite well again.
4 Hisfather repliedthat there might not be anotherthat year. 25. He said that he had comne to see
26. Hesaid that though he had come,them.
it was against his wit.
Rama,asked me what had become of Hari. 21.
5 Itoldhimthat i had not seen him for months. Thespeaker sald that it gave hin great pBeasure to be there
that evening.
1.The master requested that they would attend carefully to
6
28. He asked them whether they would tisten to such a man.
saying, 29. He asked me if i woutd accompany him.
what he was
Iwrotethat|I would visit him next day. 30. He ordered him to leave the room and forbade him to
eobservedthat he had never liked doingthat. return.
Itold themto be quiet. 31. The mother asked her boy where he had been al! the
easked me ifi had anything to say. afternoon.
11. He
12 Ramaasked Hari if he would change places with him. 32. Hari asked Rama if he had read the letter.
3 Hesaidthat he was tired, andithat he wished to go to bed. 33. The King asked the philosopher whom he considered the
mouse asked who would bell the cat. happiest man living.
4 An old 34. The magistrate asked the prisoner what he was doing with
nhn said that he wanted to be a soldier his hand in the gentieman's pocket.
K He asked me where Iwas
going.
35. The fox cried out to the goat that a thought had just come
He asked me what i wanted. into his head.
Abdul said that he had seen that picture. 36. He advised his sons not to quarrel amongst themselves,
8 The boy said that he would go with us. when he was dead but to remain united.
his teeth
He said that the earth moves round the sun. 37. The lion told the fox that he was very weak, that
appetite.
1 The stranger asked Alice where she lived. had fallen out, and that he had no
his soldiers and
lasked Mary if shewould lend me apencil. 38. He replied that he had promised to reward
that he had kept his word.
3 He told us that he had waited an hour.
changes made while turning from
Study the following examples, and in each case carefully note the
Direct into Indirect Speech. pleasure to be here this evening
The Prince said, It gives me great
Direct. to be there that evening.
Indirect. The Prince said that it gave him great pleasure
Direct. He said, 'Ishall go as soon as it is possible. possible.
as it was
He said that he would go as soon
Indirect. of you; go away.
He said, I do not wish to see any them to go away.
Direct.
said that he did not wish to see any of them and ordered will fail."
Indirect. He you don't work hard, you
often says to me, 'If shall fail.
Direct. My teacher me that if Idon't work hard I
often says to
Indirect. My teacher sinners.
He said, 'We are all sinners.
Direct. are all by his justice.'
He said that we respect of all races and classes
Indirect. 'Akbar won the classes by his justice.
Direct.
The lecturer said, Akbar won the respect of all races and
The lecturer said that the award.'
Indirect. wait for award.
He said, 'Let us they should wait for the way ?
Direct. that Knight, 'dothe false yeomen give
Indirect. He proposed strike for us !' exclaimedthe strike for them and asked whether the false yeo-
Direct.
'Saint George
prayedthat Saint George might
The Knight ill-uck ? But for accident we
Indirect. men gave way. couBdl have foreseen such
'Who
exclaimed the driver.
'Curseit !'
the train easily'
nobody could have foreseen such ill-huck. But for the
Direct. caught
should haveexclaimed with an oaththat easily.
train
The driver would have caught the troops, said,"You have brought disgraceoficers upon afamous
Indirect. ? Now
accident theyaddressing his mutinous not laythen before your own heard.'
did
why i you complaints can be
The general,youhad grievances, for your offence, before your afamqus regiment.
Direct. regiment.If sufter punishment thattheyhad brought disgrace upon must
you must
first mutinous troops
laid them beforetheir own ofticers? Now they
The generaltoldhis hadthey not
grievances, why offence bbetfore their complaints could be heard.
Indirect. had
Iftheypunishmentfor their
suffer
DIRECTAND INDIRECT SPEECH
