Reported Speech Worksheet with Answers: Complete Direct and Indirect Speech Practice for Students
Learning how to change direct speech into reported speech is an essential English grammar skill. Students use reported speech while writing stories, preparing examinations, reporting conversations, and explaining information received from others.
This complete reported speech worksheet with answers provides detailed explanations, examples, practice exercises, interactive quizzes, and revision activities to help learners understand narration easily.
✏️ Topic: Direct and Reported Speech (Narration)
🎓 Suitable For: Grade 5–10 students, ESL learners, teachers, and grammar practice
🏆 Learning Goal: Transform sentences accurately using reported speech rules
Breadcrumb Navigation
Home → English Grammar → Reported Speech Worksheet with Answers
Table of Contents
Introduction to Reported Speech
Every day we share information with others. We tell our friends what someone said, explain conversations to our family members, and write reports about events. Instead of repeating the exact words of a speaker, we often communicate the same message in our own words.
This process is called reported speech. It allows us to report statements, questions, commands, requests, advice, and conversations clearly.
Riya said, "I am reading a story book."
Reported Speech:
Riya said that she was reading a story book.
In the first sentence, we hear Riya's exact words. In the second sentence, another person reports Riya's message.
What is Direct Speech?
Direct speech repeats the exact words spoken by a person. Quotation marks are used to show the speaker's original words.
Teacher said, "Complete your homework today."
The words inside quotation marks are exactly what the teacher said.
What is Reported Speech?
Reported speech tells someone else's message without using their exact words. The quotation marks are removed and grammatical changes are made according to the rules of narration.
Teacher said that we should complete our homework that day.
Complete Rules of Reported Speech
Changing direct speech into reported speech requires understanding several grammar changes. The meaning of the sentence remains the same, but the structure changes according to the reporting verb, tense, pronoun, and time expressions.
Rule 1: Change the Reporting Verb Carefully
The reporting verb introduces the speaker's words. Common reporting verbs include:
- said
- told
- asked
- requested
- ordered
- advised
- suggested
- explained
Aman said, "I like mathematics."
Reported Speech:
Aman said that he liked mathematics.
Rule 2: Remove Inverted Commas
In direct speech, quotation marks show the speaker's exact words. In reported speech, quotation marks are removed.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| She said, "I am happy." | She said that she was happy. |
| He said, "I play football." | He said that he played football. |
Rule 3: Change Pronouns According to Meaning
Pronouns change depending on who is speaking, who is listening, and who is being talked about.
| Direct Pronoun | Reported Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | he / she |
| me | him / her |
| my | his / her |
| we | they |
| our | their |
| us | them |
Do not change pronouns randomly. Always identify the speaker and listener before changing them.
Rule 4: Change the Tense
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported sentence usually moves one step into the past.
Tense Change Chart in Reported Speech
| Direct Speech Tense | Reported Speech Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Simple Past | "I play cricket" → He said that he played cricket. |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous | "I am reading" → She said that she was reading. |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect | "I have finished" → He said that he had finished. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous | "I have been working" → He said that he had been working. |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect | "I visited Delhi" → She said that she had visited Delhi. |
| Past Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous | "I was sleeping" → He said that he had been sleeping. |
| Will | Would | "I will help" → He said that he would help. |
| Can | Could | "I can swim" → She said that she could swim. |
| May | Might | "It may rain" → He said that it might rain. |
Rule 5: Change Time and Place Words
Words showing time and place often change when converting direct speech into reported speech.
| Direct Word | Reported Word |
|---|---|
| now | then |
| today | that day |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| yesterday | the previous day |
| last week | the previous week |
| next month | the following month |
| here | there |
| this | that |
| these | those |
Rule 6: Use "That" in Statements
For most statements, the word that connects the reporting verb with the reported information. In informal English, "that" may sometimes be omitted.
Maya said, "I love painting."
Reported Speech:
Maya said that she loved painting.
Rule 7: When Tense Does Not Change
The tense does not always change. Some important exceptions are:
- When the statement expresses a universal truth.
- When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense.
- When the information is still true at the time of reporting.
Teacher said, "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
Reported Speech:
The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Types of Reported Speech
Reported speech is divided into different categories depending on the type of sentence.
1. Assertive Sentences (Statements)
These sentences give information or describe facts.
Rahul said, "I enjoy reading."
Reported:
Rahul said that he enjoyed reading.
2. Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
Questions are reported using words like asked, wanted to know, or inquired.
She said, "Where do you live?"
Reported:
She asked where I lived.
3. Imperative Sentences (Commands and Requests)
Commands use reporting verbs such as told, ordered, requested, and advised.
Mother said, "Clean your room."
Reported:
Mother told me to clean my room.
✍️ Interactive Reported Speech Worksheet
Test your understanding of direct and reported speech by typing your answers directly into the boxes. After completing the activity, click Check Answers to see your score.
- Read the direct speech sentence carefully.
- Rewrite it in reported speech.
- Type your answer in the box.
- Check your score.
- Improve your level by practising again.
🌱 Level 1: Statement Transformation Challenge
Change the following direct speech sentences into reported speech.
1. Emma said, "I am reading a novel."
2. Tom said, "I have completed my homework."
3. Lisa said, "I visited my grandmother yesterday."
4. David said, "I will call you tomorrow."
5. Jack said, "I can swim very well."
6. Anna said, "We are watching a movie."
7. Peter said, "I bought a new bicycle."
8. Susan said, "I was cooking dinner."
9. Michael said, "I may travel next month."
10. The teacher said, "The Earth moves around the Sun."
📘 Level 2: Reported Questions Challenge
Convert these direct questions into reported speech. Type your answers and check your score.
1. She asked, "Where do you live?"
2. The teacher asked, "Why are you late?"
3. John asked, "What is your name?"
4. Mother asked, "When will you come home?"
5. The guide asked, "Which museum did you visit?"
6. The police officer asked, "How did the accident happen?"
7. Anna asked, "Can you help me?"
8. Tom asked, "Will you join us?"
9. Sarah asked, "Did you finish your work?"
10. The doctor asked, "Are you feeling better?"
🎯 Level 3: Commands and Requests Challenge
Change commands and requests into reported speech using suitable reporting verbs.
11. Mother said, "Close the door."
12. The teacher said, "Do not make noise."
13. The doctor said, "Take this medicine regularly."
14. Father said, "Help your sister."
15. The coach said, "Practice every day."
16. She said, "Please wait for me."
17. Mother said, "Don't touch the stove."
18. The officer said, "Stand in a line."
19. The librarian said, "Keep quiet."
20. The teacher said, "Complete your project."
⭐ Level 4: Advice Reporter Challenge
21. The doctor said, "Drink more water."
22. My father said, "Work hard."
23. The teacher said, "Read daily."
24. My friend said, "Do not worry."
25. The coach said, "Exercise regularly."
🎮 Complete Your Grammar Mission
You have completed 25 interactive reported speech tasks.
Continue practising to unlock the Grammar Master badge.
🎮 Interactive Reported Speech Grammar Challenge
Learning grammar becomes easier when students practise, check their mistakes, and improve step by step. This interactive quiz turns reported speech practice into a fun grammar game.
🏆 Grammar Challenge Rules
- Answer each question carefully.
- Choose the correct reported speech sentence.
- Check your score at the end.
- Try again to improve your grammar level.
Question Loading...
Score: 0 / 10
🏆 Advanced Reported Speech Grammar Battle
Welcome to the final challenge! Complete these advanced sentences and discover your reported speech skill level.
📊 Your Grammar Progress
🔥 Level 5: Grammar Master Challenge
26. Rita said, "I had completed my homework before dinner."
27. He said, "I was watching television when you called me."
28. She said, "I will complete this work today."
29. The student said, "I cannot solve this problem."
30. The teacher said, "Honesty is the best policy."
31. She said, "I have been learning English for two years."
32. John said, "I met him last week."
33. The child said, "I want a new toy."
34. Mary said, "I may visit London next year."
35. The captain said, "We will win the match."
36. He said, "I can help you now."
37. She asked, "Why are you crying?"
38. Mother asked, "Have you eaten your lunch?"
39. The manager said, "We are starting the meeting now."
40. The boy said, "I was playing football yesterday."
41. The teacher said, "You should respect your parents."
42. He said, "Please give me a chance."
43. She said, "What a beautiful painting!"
44. The boy said, "Hurrah! We won the match."
45. He said, "Alas! I lost my wallet."
46. She said, "May you succeed."
47. The teacher said, "Work sincerely."
48. Father said, "Always speak the truth."
49. The doctor said, "Do not eat junk food."
50. The leader said, "We must protect nature."
🎓 Your Reported Speech Achievement Certificate
Complete your details and print your personalised grammar certificate.
🏆 Grammar Achievement Certificate
This certificate is proudly presented to
____________________
Class: ________
for successfully completing the
Reported Speech Interactive Grammar Challenge
and demonstrating understanding of direct and indirect speech rules.
⭐ Grammar Learner
Date: ________
👩🏫 Teacher's Guide: Using This Worksheet
This interactive reported speech activity can be used in classrooms, online lessons, homework practice, and grammar revision sessions.
Suggested Teaching Method
- Introduce direct speech using real-life conversations.
- Explain pronoun and tense changes with examples.
- Allow students to complete the interactive worksheet.
- Discuss common mistakes.
- Use the quiz results to identify areas for improvement.
🎲 Classroom Grammar Games
Game 1: Become a News Reporter
Students create imaginary news reports and convert interviews into reported speech.
Example:
"I won the competition," said Maya.
News Report:
Maya announced that she had won the competition.
Game 2: Conversation Detective
Give students short dialogues and ask them to identify:
- Who was speaking?
- Who was listening?
- Which pronouns should change?
- Which tense transformation is needed?
Game 3: Grammar Relay Race
Divide students into teams. Each team transforms sentences into reported speech. The fastest accurate team wins.
📚 Real-Life Uses of Reported Speech
Reported speech appears in many situations:
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| News Reporting | The reporter said that the event had started. |
| Story Writing | The character explained that he was lost. |
| Meetings | The manager said that the team would begin work. |
| Daily Conversation | She told me that she was busy. |
📥 Worksheet Download and Printing
Save Your Grammar Practice
Students can print this activity or save it as a PDF using the browser print option.
🔗 More English Learning Activities
Continue developing language skills with these related learning resources:
- English Grammar Quiz with Answers
- The Beaver and Broken Bridge Grade 3 Reading Activity
- Creative Story Writing Worksheet
🌟 Final Student Challenge
Can you become a Grammar Master?
- Complete all 50 transformation tasks.
- Review incorrect answers.
- Practise new examples.
- Use reported speech in your own writing.
Every practice attempt improves your communication skills.
📥 Download and Revision Resources
Printable Reported Speech Worksheet
This worksheet can be used for classroom activities, homework practice, English grammar revision, and exam preparation.
Teachers can use this resource for guided grammar lessons, while students can use it for independent practice. Regular practice with reported speech improves writing accuracy, reading comprehension, and communication skills.
Why Learning Reported Speech Is Important
Reported speech is not only an examination topic. It is a practical communication skill used in daily conversations, journalism, storytelling, interviews, meetings, and academic writing.
When students understand reported speech, they become better at summarising information, explaining events, and communicating ideas clearly.
This grammar skill also supports creative writing. Students who enjoy writing stories can use reported speech to create realistic conversations between characters.
For more creative writing practice, explore this related resource:
Creative Story Writing Worksheet for Students
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is reported speech in English grammar?
Reported speech is the method of explaining what someone said without using their exact words. It is also called indirect speech or narration.
2. What is the difference between direct speech and reported speech?
Direct speech uses the speaker's exact words inside quotation marks, while reported speech explains the message without quotation marks.
3. Does tense always change in reported speech?
No. Tense usually changes when the reporting verb is in the past tense, but universal truths and some situations keep the original tense.
4. Why do pronouns change in reported speech?
Pronouns change because the perspective of the speaker changes. The sentence must show who originally said the words and who is reporting them.
5. How can students improve reported speech skills?
Students can improve by practising sentence transformation, reading conversations, solving worksheets, and checking mistakes regularly.
6. Is reported speech important for exams?
Yes. Reported speech is commonly included in English grammar examinations, writing tasks, and comprehension activities.
Final Thoughts
Reported speech becomes easy when students understand the logic behind the changes instead of memorising rules only. The key areas to remember are pronouns, tense changes, reporting verbs, and time expressions.
Use this complete worksheet regularly, practise the interactive quiz, and review your mistakes. With consistent practice, students can confidently transform conversations and improve their overall English grammar skills.
Grammar improvement happens through regular learning, correction, and repeated practice.