Direct and Indirect Speech is a fundamental topic in English Grammar. This chapter explains how to convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech using clear rules, diagrams, solved examples, and practice exercises. Ideal for SSC, Railway, Police, NEET exams.
1. Direct Speech Formula
Formula: Subject + verb + "exact words in quotes"
Example: She said, "I am reading a book."
Marathi: ती म्हणाली, "मी पुस्तक वाचत आहे."
2. Indirect Speech Formula
Formula: Reporting verb + (that) + subject + verb (changed tense if required) + rest of sentence
Example: She said that she was reading a book.
Marathi: ती म्हणाली की ती पुस्तक वाचत आहे.
3. Rules for Converting Direct → Indirect Speech
Remove quotation marks.
Change pronouns as needed.
Adjust tense according to reporting verb.
Adjust time and place expressions (e.g., today → that day, here → there).
Add "that" after reporting verb (optional but recommended).
Example: Direct: He said, "I will go tomorrow." → Indirect: He said that he would go the next day.
Marathi: तो म्हणाला, "मी उद्या जाईन" → तो म्हणाला की तो पुढील दिवशी जाईल.
Direct and Indirect Speech Summary Table
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech
Change in Marathi
"I am reading a book," she said.
She said that she was reading a book.
ती म्हणाली, "मी पुस्तक वाचत आहे." → ती म्हणाली की ती पुस्तक वाचत आहे.
"I will call you," he said.
He said that he would call me.
तो म्हणाला, "मी तुला कॉल करीन." → तो म्हणाला की तो मला कॉल करेल.
"I am going home," he said.
He said that he was going home.
तो म्हणाला, "मी घर जात आहे." → तो म्हणाला की तो घर जात आहे.
8 Solved Examples
Direct: She said, "I am tired." → Indirect: She said that she was tired. Marathi: ती म्हणाली, "मी थकले आहे" → ती म्हणाली की ती थकले आहे.
Direct: He said, "I like chocolate." → Indirect: He said that he liked chocolate. Marathi: त्याने म्हटले, "मला चॉकलेट आवडते" → त्याने म्हटले की त्याला चॉकलेट आवडते.
Direct: I said, "I will help you." → Indirect: I said that I would help you. Marathi: मी म्हटले, "मी तुला मदत करेन" → मी म्हटले की मी तुला मदत करेन.
Direct: They said, "We are going to the market." → Indirect: They said that they were going to the market. Marathi: त्यांनी म्हटले, "आम्ही बाजारात जात आहोत" → त्यांनी म्हटले की ते बाजारात जात आहेत.
Direct: He said, "I have finished my homework." → Indirect: He said that he had finished his homework. Marathi: त्याने म्हटले, "मी गृहपाठ पूर्ण केला आहे" → त्याने म्हटले की त्याने गृहपाठ पूर्ण केला आहे.
Direct: She said, "I can do it." → Indirect: She said that she could do it. Marathi: ती म्हणाली, "मी ते करू शकते" → ती म्हणाली की ती ते करू शकते.
Direct: He said, "I may come tomorrow." → Indirect: He said that he might come the next day. Marathi: त्याने म्हटले, "मी उद्या येऊ शकतो" → त्याने म्हटले की तो पुढील दिवशी येऊ शकतो.
Direct: I said, "I must leave now." → Indirect: I said that I had to leave then. Marathi: मी म्हटले, "मला आता जायचे आहे" → मी म्हटले की मला तेव्हा जायचे होते.
Practice Questions
Direct: "I am watching TV," he said.
Direct: "We will meet you tomorrow," they said.
Direct: "I have done my homework," she said.
Direct: "I can solve this problem," he said.
1. He said that he was watching TV.
2. They said that they would meet me the next day.
3. She said that she had done her homework.
4. He said that he could solve this problem.
FAQ
What is Direct Speech?
Direct Speech quotes the exact words of a speaker within quotation marks.
What is Indirect Speech?
Indirect Speech reports the meaning of what someone said without quoting the exact words.