A.

Direct Speech

Direct speech is mainly used to write dialogue or quoted

speech. Read how to punctuate direct speech below.

Position of
Quoted Speech Instructions Examples

1. Place a comma after the subject • The doctor said, “Take

and reporting verb (said, commented, your medicine every
added, explained, yelled, etc.) day.”

2. Insert the first set of quotation marks. • The professor said,

“We will have a
at the 3. Begin the sentence or phrase
end of a test tomorrow
inside the quotation marks with a
sentence afternoon.”
capital letter.
• The candidate
4. Place the correct punctuation
commented, “I have
(period, question mark, exclamation
always been honest.”
point, etc.) at the end of the
sentence. • Victor asked, “Why
do you always come
5. Insert the second set of
late?”
quotation marks after the
punctuation. • The coach screamed, “You
have to play harder than
this!”

• “I have always loved

1. Begin with the first set of quotation you,” Kil Yi whispered.
marks.
• “Take your bags and
2. Capitalize the first letter of the sentence. report to section
3. At the end of the sentence, place a five!” the sergeant
at the
beginning of a comma, question mark, or screamed.
sentence exclamation mark • “Why do you always bother
(not a period). me?” the trainer asked.
4. Insert the second set of • “Please don’t take my
quotation marks after the comma. purse,” Laura pleaded.
5. Insert the subject and reporting • “Those roses are
verb, and end the sentence fantastic!” Emily
with a period. exclaimed.
Grammar Notes cont.
A. Direct Speech cont.

Position of
Quoted Speech Instructions Examples

• “I think,” Bob commented,

1. Begin with the first set of quotation “that this is the worst day
marks. of my life.”
2. Capitalize the first letter of the sentence. • “Could you please
3. At the end of the first part of the explain,” Karen asked,
split by the quote, place a comma and “why you are always so
subject and rude?”
the verb quotation marks.

4. Insert the subject and reporting • “I really feel,” Victoria

verb, and follow the verb with a said, “that you are
comma. 100% wrong.”

5. Include another set of quotation • “Pick up your registration

marks and begin the second part forms in Room 122,” the
of the quote with the lower case. counselor stated, “and go
to the gym
6. Punctuate the end of the sentence. with your ID.”
7. Include the second set of quotation marks. • “I have never stolen
anything,” Fred said, “and
I have never lied, either.”

B. Indirect or Reported Speech

Reported speech is commonly used in speaking and

writing. It is important to note that most verb tenses
will change from direct to reported speech. The chart
on the next page shows the most common verb and
modal changes.

Back It Up!
Usually the tense change from direct to
reported speech involves a backward move into
the past.

• simple present simple past

• simple past past

perfect etc.
Grammar Notes cont.
B. Indirect or Reported Speech cont.

Direct Speech Tense Reported Speech Tense Example

Simple Present Simple Past “I love you.” She said that she loved me.

“I am going to the party.”

Present Progressive Past Progressive
He said that he was going to the party.

“I have already eaten.”

Present Perfect Past Perfect
She said that she had already eaten.

Simple Past Past Perfect “I arrived on time.” He said that he had arrived on time.

“I was sleeping.”
Past Progressive Past Perfect Progressive
She said that she had been sleeping.

“You will have a test on Thursday.”

Simple Future Conditional
The professor said that we would have a test on Thursday.

“I will be traveling to Spain.”

Future Progressive Conditional Progressive
She said that she would be traveling to Spain.

“Eat your vegetables.”

Imperative Infinitive
My mother told me to eat my vegetables.

Can “You can eat whatever you want.”

Could
(modal of ability) The doctor said that I could eat whatever I wanted.

Could Could “It could rain on the day of the big game.”
(modal of possibility) (no change) She said that it could rain on the day of the big game.

Might Might “We might go skiing on the weekend.”

(modal of possibility) (no change) They said that they might go skiing on the weekend.

May “She may travel abroad in summer.”

Might
(modal of possibility) He said that she might travel abroad in summer.

Should Should “You should eat more vegetables.”

(modal of advice) (no change) My mother said that I should eat more vegetables.

Must “You must complete the report by 5:00.”

Had To
(modal of obligation) My boss said that I had to complete the report by 5:00.

Have To “She has to finish the report by 5:00.”

Had To
(modal of obligation) She said that she had to finish the report by 5:00.
Grammar Notes cont.
C. Notes

Note #1 Note #4
A simple present verb can be reported in the Use said without a direct
simple present instead of the past when the
object. Jim said that he
action has just occurred or if the statement is
a well-known fact. was coming.
• Ruth said that she loves me.
Jim said me that he was coming.
• Ruth always tells me that she loves me.

Note #5
Use told with a direct object.
Note #2
The teacher told me to come
Sometimes, when making predictions, the
reporting verb is in the simple future and the early. The teacher told to come
other clause is in the simple present. early.
• My mother
Note #3 will say that she is too sick to go.
The relative pronoun that used after the
reporting verb is optional, but commonly Note #6
used. There is no difference in meaning. In reporting imperatives
Margo said that she would (commands), remember to use the
call me after breakfast correct negative infinitive form
tomorrow. (not + infinitive).

Margo said she would call • Rosita told me not to eat cake before dinner.
me after breakfast
tomorrow.
Exercise 1
PUNCTUATION

Punctuate the following sentences.

Use direct speech. Use capital letters where necessary.

1. John said I am very happy to meet you

2. The doctor said you should cut down on your salt intake

3. Natasha explained I am here to learn not to fool around

4. Pack your bags and get out of here screamed the landlord

5. I believe Toshiko said that you are holding my bag

6. Can you tell me how to get to Route 17 Atsuko asked

7. The fastest way out is through the library Robert explained

8. The professor said we will have a test on Friday

9. Boris yelled where are my new shoes

10. I think that you are wrong Oleg stated and I also feel that you don’t understand the subject at all
 Exercise 2
FIND THE ERROR

Circle one or more mistakes in each

sentence, and write the correct sentences
below.

1. “I will come on time.” the doctor said.

2. “Do you love me” Russell asked.

3. “I will never leave you.” Paula explained. “And I will always be there for you.”

4. Cynthia said, “Please tell me what to do”.

5. Bob exclaimed You just stole my wallet!

6. “Can you please. Maria asked, “Tell me where is the library.”

7. Boomer said my parents are leaving right away.

8. “Where are my shoes Bill asked.

9. Hee Won said i am sorry to hear about that”.

10. Grandpa always said always to dress nicely the first time you meet someone.
Exercise 3
REPORTED TO DIRECT SPEECH

Change the sentences with reported speech to sentences with direct speech.

1. The professor said that he would correct the tests on Saturday.

2. Natalia asked where the cafeteria was.

3. The doctor explained that he would operate on Tuesday.

4. My mother said that she was tired.

5. Greta told me not to leave so early.

6. Mark said that he could speak four languages.

7. Shirley told me to take notes in biology class.

8. My sister said that we would leave early Sunday morning.

9. Hideyuki explained that he was feeling sick.

10. Harold asked why I was wearing such old clothes.

Exercise 4
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Report these sentences, beginning with “Lisa said that...”

1. “We must leave at 6:00.”

Lisa said that

2. “My birthday will be a special day.”

3. “I may go to the movies after class.”

4. “Letitia has to come to the party.”

5. “I might not come with you to the restaurant.”

6. “It will probably rain on Thursday.”

7. “Paul won’t remember to call me.”

8. “Julie can give her presentation after Hanna.”

9. “Juan will never do it on time.”

10. “You should buy a new pair of shoes for the dance.”
Exercise 5
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Report these sentences, beginning with “The professor said

that...” When an infinitive verb is required, use “The professor
told us...”

1. “We will have a test on Monday.”

The professor said that

2. “We are going to study conditionals.”

3. “Study hard!”

4. “The exam is easy.”

5. “You should bring a dictionary to class.”

6. “Don’t cheat!”

7. “Leave when you are finished.”

8. “I am going to correct the tests on the weekend.”

9. “You can take the tests home.”

10. “The class will end on Wednesday, August 7.”

Exercise 6
FIND THE ERROR

Circle one or more mistakes in each

sentence, and write the correct sentences
below.

1. Rosa said that she will come early to the meeting.

2. The doctor said me not eat so much beef.

3. Olivia told that she will be late.

4. The counselor told me not take any more literature classes.

5. Maria Pia said that she is not going to Colombia.

6. Kil Yi said that he is gonna leave at 6:00.

7. Victor said never to cheat on exams.

8. Isabella said me that she will not never marry me.

9. My mother told me cook dinner myself.

10. Elise said that she has already eat.

Exercise 7
DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH

Change the sentences with direct speech to sentences

with reported speech. Pay particular attention to the
verb tenses.

1. “You can play the piano well.”

6. “Don’t speed anymore!” the police officer said.
John said that I
The police officer told me

2. “Leave when you finish the test.” 7. “You should study the past tense,” the teacher
said.
The teacher told us
The teacher said that

3. “I am not going to eat the whole

chicken.” 8. “Cut the grass after lunch.”

Carlos said that he My father told me

4. “Don’t take the last one.” 9. “I am going to Philadelphia in May.”

My mother told me Bob said that he

10. “Ranklin will win the election.”

5. “The painter will begin work on
Monday.” The governor predicted that
My brother explained that
Exercise 8
QUIZ

Circle the correct answer.

1. “I can’t drive a truck,” Bill said. Bill said that

6. “We should study harder,” Samantha
.
said. Samantha said .
a) he couldn’t drive a truck
a) we must study harder
b) couldn’t he drive a truck
b) we should study harder
2. “Where is Piadora?” Carmine
7. “I am going to Montreal tomorrow,”
asked. Carmine asked .
Jesse said. Jesse said .
a) where was Piadora
a) that she was going to Montreal the next day.
b) where Piadora was
b) that she is going to Montreal the next day.
3. “You will have another chance to raise your
8. “Is this your coat?” Gee
grade,” the professor said. The professor
asked. Gee asked me
said that
.
.
a) if that was my coat
a) we will have another chance to raise our
grades b) if that is my coat
b) we would have
another chance to raise 9. “Can you help me?” Irina
our grades asked. Irina asked me
.
4. “You must stop taking those pills,” the a) if I can help her
doctor explained. The doctor explained b) if I could help her
that I
. 10. “I have already studied this unit,”
a) had to stop taking those pills Ned said. Ned said .
b) can stop taking those pills a) he has already studied that unit
b) he had already studied that unit
5. “Get out of here!” the clerk
told me. The clerk told me .

a) to get out of there

b) that I should get out of there
Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
LEVEL: High Int – Adv
In this lesson, students will learn the rules for verb tenses TIME: 2–3 hours
and punctuation in direct and reported speech. Then they
TAGS: speech, direct speech, reported speech, indirect
practice changing sentences from direct to reported speech
speech, quoted speech, verb tenses, tense
and vice versa.
changes, grammar

Exercise 1 Exercise 3
1. John said, “I am very happy to meet you.”
1. The professor said, “I will correct the tests on Saturday.”
2. The doctor said, “You should cut down on your salt
2. Natalia asked, “Where is the cafeteria?”
intake.”
3. The doctor explained, “I will operate on Tuesday.”
3. Natasha explained, “I am here to learn, not to fool
around.” 4. My mother said, “I am tired.”
4. “Pack your bags and get out of here!” screamed the 5. Greta told me, “Don’t leave so early.”
landlord.
6. Mark said, “I can speak four languages.”
5. “I believe,” Toshiko said, “that you are holding my
7. Shirley told me, “Take notes in biology class.”
bag.”
8. My sister said, “We will leave early Sunday morning.”
6. “Can you tell me how to get to Route 17?” Atsuko
asked. 9. Hideyuki explained, “I am feeling sick.”
7. “The fastest way out is through the library,” Robert 10. Harold asked, “Why are you wearing such old clothes?”
explained.
8. The professor said, “We will have a test on Friday.”
Exercise 4
9. Boris yelled, “Where are my new shoes?”
10. “I think that you are wrong,” Oleg stated, “and I 1. Lisa said that we had to leave at 6:00.
also feel that you don’t understand the 2. Lisa said that her birthday would be a special day.
subject at all.”
3. Lisa said that she might go to the movies after class.
4. Lisa said that Letitia had to come to the party.
Exercise 2 5. Lisa said that she might not come with me/us to the
restaurant.
1. “I will come on time,” the doctor said. 6. Lisa said that it would probably rain on Thursday.
2. “Do you love me?” Russell asked.
7. Lisa said that Paul would not remember to call her.
3. “I will never leave you,” Paula
8. Lisa said that Julie could give her presentation after Hanna.
explained, “and I will always be
there for you.” 9. Lisa said that Juan would never do it on time.
4. Cynthia said, “Please tell me what to do.” 10. Lisa said that I should buy a new pair of shoes for the dance.
5. Bob exclaimed, “You just sole my wallet!”
6. “Can you please,” Maria asked, “tell me where the library
is?” (continued on the next page...)
7. Boomer said, “My parents are leaving right away.”
8. “Where are my shoes?” Bill asked.
9. Hee Won said, “I am sorry to hear about that.”
10. Grandpa always said, “Always dress
nicely the first time you meet someone.”
Answer Key cont.
Exercise 5
Exercise 7
1. The professor said that we would have a test on
Monday. 1. John said that I could play the piano well.
2. The professor said that we 2. The teacher told us to leave when we finished the test.
3. Carlos said that he was not going to eat the whole chicken.
were going to study
4. My mother told me not to take the last one.
conditionals.
5. My brother explained that the
3. The professor told us to study hard. painter would begin work on Monday.
4. The professor said that the exam was easy. 6. The police officer told me not to speed anymore.
5. The professor said that we 7. The teacher said that I/we should study the past tense.
should bring a dictionary to 8. My father told me to cut the grass after lunch.
9. Bob said that he was going to Philadelphia in May.
class.
10. The governor predicted that Ranklin would win the election.
6. The professor told us not to cheat.
7. The professor told us to leave when we were
finished. Exercise 8
8. The professor said that he/she was
going to correct the tests on the weekend.
9. The professor said that we could take the tests
home.
10. The professor said that the class
would end on Wednesday,
August 7.

Exercise 6 1. a 3. b 5. a 7. a 9. b
2. b 4. a 6. b 8. a 10. b

1. Rosa said that she would come early to the meeting.

2. The doctor told me not to eat so much beef. SPELLING NOTE:
3. Olivia said that she would be late.
This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Backward,
4. The counselor told me not to take any more literature
classes. Counselor, and Traveling. Most other English-speaking countries spell
5. Maria Pia said that she was not going to Colombia. these words this way: Backwards, Counsellor, and Travelling. Make it a
6. Kil Yi said that he was going to leave at 6:00. challenge for your students to find these words in the lesson and see if
7. Victor said to never cheat on exams. they know the alternate spellings.
8. Isabella told me that she would never marry me.
9. My mother told me to cook dinner myself.
10. Elise said that she had already eaten.