This blog post is designed to help you understand and master the concept of Reported Speech for your CBSE Class 10 English exams. We will cover all the essential rules, including changes in tense, pronouns, time and place adverbs, and modals. You'll find numerous examples, practice exercises, and even some past CBSE question papers to test your knowledge. By the end of this guide, you'll feel confident in tackling any Reported Speech question that comes your way. Also you will get a handy PDF for download and offline study. Let's begin!
What is Reported Speech?
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way to convey what someone else has said without directly quoting their exact words. Instead of using quotation marks, the speaker paraphrases or summarizes the original statement.
Purpose of Using Reported Speech:
- Conveying Information: Reported speech is often used to convey information from one person to another, especially when the exact words are not crucial.
- Avoiding Direct Quotes: It can be used to avoid direct quotes, which can sometimes sound stilted or formal, especially in informal conversations.
- Summarizing Conversations: Reported speech is useful for summarizing longer conversations or speeches in a concise and informative way.
- Maintaining Neutrality: By not directly quoting someone, reported speech can help to maintain a more neutral or objective tone.
Key Changes in Reported Speech
When converting direct speech to reported speech, several key changes occur:
1. Tense Changes
When converting direct speech to reported speech, the tense of the verb usually shifts back in time. Here's a breakdown of the common changes:
- Simple Present to Simple Past:
- Direct Speech: "I eat an apple every day."
- Reported Speech: He said that he ate an apple every day.
- Present Continuous to Past Continuous:
- Direct Speech: "I am watching TV."
- Reported Speech: He said that he was watching TV.
- Present Perfect to Past Perfect:
- Direct Speech: "I have finished my homework."
- Reported Speech: He said that he had finished his homework.
- Simple Past to Past Perfect:
- Direct Speech: "I went to the store yesterday."
- Reported Speech: He said that he had gone to the store the previous day.
2. Pronoun Changes:
- I: Changes to he/she/they depending on the subject of the direct speech.
- We: Changes to they
- You: Changes to me/him/her/us/them depending on the context.
- This: Changes to that
- These: Changes to those
- Here: Changes to there
3. Time and Place Adverbials:
- Now: Changes to then
- Today: Changes to that day
- Yesterday: Changes to the previous day
- Tomorrow: Changes to the next day
- Here: Changes to there
- This: Changes to that
4. Modals:
- Can: Changes to could
- Direct Speech: "I can swim."
- Reported Speech: He said that he could swim.
- May: Changes to might
- Direct Speech: "I may go to the party."
- Reported Speech: He said that he might go to the party.
- Will: Changes to would
- Direct Speech: "I will go to the park tomorrow."
- Reported Speech: He said that he would go to the park the next day.
- Must: Often remains the same, but can sometimes change to had to
- Direct Speech: "I must finish my work."
- Reported Speech: He said that he must finish his work. (Often remains the same)
- or
- Reported Speech: He said that he had to finish his work.
Example:
- Direct Speech: "I am going to the market now," she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she was going to the market then.
Important Notes:
- No Change: If the reported speech expresses a general truth, a habitual action, or something that is still true at the time of reporting, the tense may not change.
- Example: "The sun rises in the east." (Direct Speech) "He said that the sun rises in the east." (Reported Speech)
- Reporting Verb: The tense of the reporting verb (e.g., "said," "told," "declared") also influences the tense in reported speech.
Types of Reported Speech
1. Statements
- Direct Speech: "I love to play football," he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he loved to play football.
- Key Changes:
- Tense: Present Simple ("love") changes to Past Simple ("loved").
- Pronouns: "I" changes to "he" to match the subject of the direct speech.
2. Questions
- Yes/No Questions:
- Direct Speech: "Are you going to the party?" she asked.
- Reported Speech: She asked if/whether I was going to the party.
- Wh-Questions:
- Direct Speech: "Where do you live?" he inquired.
- Reported Speech: He inquired where I lived.
- Key Changes:
- Question Mark Removed: Reported speech is not a question, so the question mark is removed.
- Word Order: In reported yes/no questions, use "if" or "whether" followed by the subject and verb. In reported wh-questions, use the wh-word followed by the subject and verb.
- Tense Changes: Similar to statements, tenses usually shift back one step.
3. Commands and Requests
- Direct Speech: "Stop talking!" the teacher said.
- Reported Speech: The teacher told us to stop talking.
- Direct Speech: "Please help me," she requested.
- Reported Speech: She requested me to help her.
- Key Changes:
- Reporting Verbs: Use verbs like "told," "ordered," "requested," "advised," "commanded," "suggested," etc., depending on the tone of the original command or request.
- Structure: Use the infinitive form of the verb after the reporting verb (e.g., "to stop," "to help").
4. Exclamations
- Direct Speech: "What a beautiful day!" she exclaimed.
- Reported Speech: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
- Direct Speech: "Help!" she cried.
- Reported Speech: She cried for help.
- Key Changes:
- Reporting Verbs: Use verbs like "exclaimed," "cried," "shouted," "wondered," etc., to reflect the emotion of the original utterance.
- Structure: The structure may vary depending on the specific exclamation.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Multiple Choice
- Direct Speech: "I am going to the market," she said.
Reported Speech: She said that she _____ going to the market.
a) am going b) is going c) was going d) will go - Direct Speech: "Can you help me?" he asked.
Reported Speech: He asked me if I _____ help him.
a) can b) could c) may d) might - Direct Speech: "I have finished my homework," she said.
Reported Speech: She said that she _____ finished her homework.
a) has b) have c) had d) will have - Direct Speech: "I will visit my grandparents tomorrow," she said.
Reported Speech: She said that she _____ visit her grandparents the next day.
a) will b) would c) can d) could - Direct Speech: "Where do you live?" he asked.
Reported Speech: He asked me _____ I lived.
a) where b) when c) why d) how - Direct Speech: "Don't make a noise," the librarian said.
Reported Speech: The librarian _____ us not to make a noise.
a) told b) asked c) requested d) suggested - Direct Speech: "I may go for a walk later," she said.
Reported Speech: She said that she _____ go for a walk later.
a) may b) might c) can d) could
Ans.
- c) was going
- b) could
- c) had
- b) would
- a) where
- a) told
- b) might
Also See: English Grammar Class 10
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
- "I will visit my friends tomorrow," she said.
She said that she ... visit her friends the next day. - "We are going to the park," they said.
They said that they ... to the park. - "I have finished my homework," he said.
He said that he ... his homework. - "She can play the piano," he said.
He said that she ... play the piano. - "I may go to the cinema tonight," she said.
She said that she ... go to the cinema that night. - "Do you like ice cream?" she asked him.
She asked him ... he liked ice cream. - "Where do you live?" he inquired.
He inquired ... I lived. - "Please help me with this bag," she requested.
She requested me ... her with the bag. - "Don't forget to lock the door," she reminded him.
She reminded him ... to lock the door. - "What a beautiful day!" she exclaimed.
She exclaimed that it ... a beautiful day.
Exercise 3: Sentence Transformation
- Direct Speech: "I am watching TV," he said.
Reported Speech: _________________________________________________ - Direct Speech: "I have never been to Paris," she said.
Reported Speech: _________________________________________________ - Direct Speech: "Can you open the window?" she asked.
Reported Speech: _________________________________________________ - Direct Speech: "Don't forget to lock the door," she said.
Reported Speech: _________________________________________________
Ans.
- He said that he was watching TV.
- She said that she had never been to Paris.
- She asked me, "Can you open the window?"
- She told me not to forget to lock the door.
CBSE PYQs
Commands and Requests
1. Read Sana’s reply to her team leader, regarding the preparation of an important presentation.
I’m sorry I forgot ma’am. I’ll have the presentation ready for you very soon today.
Report Sana’s reply by completing the following sentence correctly.
Sana apologised for having forgotten and said....
Ans. Sana apologized for having forgotten and said that she would have the presentation ready for her very soon that day.
Statements
1. Read the given conversation between two friends.
Sumit: What do you plan to do after your graduation?
Rahul: I have processed my admission at Harvard Business School. Very soon, I shall be leaving for London.
Report what Rahul told his friend, by completing the following sentence.
Rahul replied that__________.
Ans. Rahul replied that he had processed his admission at Harvard Business School and added that very soon, he would be leaving for London.
Explanation:
The verb "have processed" is changed to "had processed" to maintain the past tense in reported speech.
The modal "shall" is changed to "would" in reported speech, as per the rules of indirect speech.
The addition of "added that" helps in smoothly connecting the two parts of Rahul's statement.
2. Complete the sentence by correctly reporting Jagdeep’s advice to Gopi.
If I were you, I would go now and apologise to Mrs. Kumar and offer to pay for the shattered glass.
Jagdeep said that if he were in Gopi’s position _______________________________
Ans. Jagdeep said that if he were in Gopi’s position, he would go then and apologise to Mrs. Kumar and offer to pay for the shattered glass.
Explanation:
"Now" is changed to "then" to reflect the shift in time when reporting speech.
The rest of the sentence is retained as it already follows the rules of reported speech accurately.
3. Read the conversation about social media, between a teacher and a student
Teacher: How do you think social media influences our perceptions of reality?
Jagrit: I believe it distorts our perception of reality by only showing the highlight reels of people's lives.
Report the student's response by completing the following.
The student remarked _____ by only showing the highlight reels of people's lives.
Ans. The student remarked that social media distorts our perception of reality by only showing the highlight reels of people's lives.
4. Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer, by completing the sentence:
Vendor: It is nice to see you, Sir!
Customer: Yes, indeed! Unlike last month, I have been away for quite some time this month.
The vendor greeted his customer respectfully and mentioned that he was pleased to see him. The customer answered in the affirmative and explained that __________
Ans. ....unlike the previous month, he had been away for quite some time that month.
5. Report the dialogue between a grandson and his grandfather, by completing thesentence:
Grandson: Grandpa, who are your superheroes
Grandpa: Anyone who shows kindness and compassion to others.
In response to the question about his superheroes, grandfather says that_____.
Ans. it is anyone who shows kindness and compassion to others
6. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Lathaand her father.
Father: Why ask so many questions, Latha?
Latha: I believe that if you don’t know the answer, keep asking till you do!
Father asked Latha the reason for the many questions she was asking. Latha exclaimed good-humouredly that in event of not knowing the answer one should_____.
A. keep asking till one does.
B. kept asking till one does.
C. keep asking till one do.
D. kept on to ask till one do.
Ans. A. keep asking till one does.
7. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
She said, “I told Damanjit to send you an e-mail three days ago.”
A. She told that Damanjit had mailed you three days then.
B. She informed me that Damanjit has mailed me three days before.
C. She says that she has told Damanjit to send me an e-mail three days then.
D. She said that she had told Damanjit to send an e-mail to me three days before.
Ans. (D) She said that she had told Damanjit to send an e-mail to me three days before.
8. Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer, by completing the sentence:
Vendor: You look a little different today!
Customer: Yes, I just got a new haircut.
The vendor noticed that his customer's appearance had changed and asked him about it. The customer admitted this, citing the fact that _____.
Ans. The vendor noticed that his customer's appearance had changed and asked him about it. The customer admitted this, citing the fact that he had just got a new haircut.
9. Read the conversation between a doctor and his patient. Complete the sentence by reporting the patient’s reply correctly.
Doctor: Do you feel down from time-to-time Mr. Gopalan?
Patient: Yes, I do not stay in a good mood.
The doctor, while trying to figure out his patient’s ailment, asked about his well-being, to which, the patient affirmed ______.
Ans. that he did not stay in a good mood. (Addition of sometimes/time to time acceptable)
Questions
1. Report the given question Kanthi asked her teacher.
Can we attempt this project as a group of four, rather than that of six members, Sir?
Ans. Kanthi asked her teacher if/whether they could attempt the project as a group of four instead of six members.
Explanation:
"Can" is changed to "could" to match the tense in reported speech.
Using "if" or "whether" is appropriate to report a yes/no question.
2. Rhea asked the following question to her colleague, Deepak.
Have you finalised the magazine content to be submitted tomorrow?
Report Rhea’s question correctly.
Ans. Rhea asked Deepak if he had finalized the magazine content to be submitted the next day.
3. Identify and correct the error in the given line taken from an online news report:
Nearly most shop was closed for the public holiday.
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| A | most | every |
| B | shop | shops |
| C | was | were |
| D | the | that |
Ans. Nearly most shops were closed for the public holiday.
4. Report the dialogue between a teacher and a student, by completing sentence.
Teacher: Did everyone understand the new assignment?
Students: Yes, we all got it, thank you!
The teacher asked if everyone had understood the new assignment, to which the students_____, expressing their gratitude.
Ans. responded affirmatively
- For a positive response, "responded affirmatively" or "agreed" works well.
- For a negative response, you can use "responded negatively" or "disagreed."
5. Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha’s Dance Academy.
Report Abhilash’s question.
Is your best friend helping you in this venture?
Ans. Abhilash asked Neha whether/if her best friend was helping her in that venture.
6. Read the dialogue between Shabnam and her mentor, Sara, regarding her summer internship programme.
Sara: Why did you choose to participate in this internship programme?
Shabnam: Ah! I am convinced this programme has the potential to enhance my abilities.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
Sara asked Shabnam _____________________ in that internship programme. Shabnam sighed and exclaimed that she was convinced that programme had the potential to enhance her abilities.
A. why to choose to participate
B. to choose participation
C. why he had chosen to participate
D. with her choice in participating
Ans. C. why he had chosen to participate
7. Sunil shared some information, with Tariq, about a holiday at sea. Report Tariq’s question.
Did you enjoy travelling by sea?
Ans. Tariq asked Sunil if/whether he had enjoyed travelling by sea.
8. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
Sunitha asked Venkat, “How much is the rent for your flat?”
A. Sunitha asked Venkat how much was his rent for flat.
B. Sunitha asked Venkat how much the rent for his flat was.
C. Sunita enquires from Venkat that how much rent he pays.
D. Sunita told Venkat how much the rent for his flat was.
Ans. (B) Sunitha asked Venkat how much the rent for his flat was.
Mastering Reported Speech: A Recap"
Congratulations! You've reached the end of our guide to mastering Reported Speech for CBSE Class 10. We've explored the key rules, including tense changes, pronoun shifts, and adjustments to time and place adverbs. Through numerous examples and practice exercises, you've gained a strong foundation in this important grammatical concept.
Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any grammar topic. Continue to review the rules, practice conversion exercises, and analyze past CBSE question papers to solidify your understanding. With dedication and effort, you can confidently tackle any Reported Speech question that comes your way in your upcoming exams.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the core concepts of direct and indirect speech.
- Master the rules governing tense changes, pronoun shifts, and other key adjustments.
- Practice consistently with examples and exercises.
- Analyze past CBSE question papers to identify common patterns and challenges.
We wish you the very best in your academic endeavors!