Direct and Indirect Speech: Narration Rules, Tense Changes and Solved Examples for SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS

In direct speech we quote the exact words of the speaker. In indirect speech (reported speech) we report those words in our own way without quotation marks. SSC exams ask narration change questions every year. This guide on direct and indirect speech for SSC gives the rules for each sentence type, the tense, pronoun and time-word changes, and solved examples with practice questions.

Parts of a Direct Speech Sentence

She said, “I am tired.” Here “She said” is the reporting verb and “I am tired” is the reported speech.

Three Things Change in Indirect Speech

1. The tense of the reported speech (if the reporting verb is in the past tense).
2. The pronouns (first person changes according to the subject, second person according to the object, third person stays the same).
3. The words of time and place (now becomes then, here becomes there).

Tense Changes

No change in tense when the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, or when the reported speech is a universal truth or a habitual fact.

Changes in Time and Place Words

Rules by Sentence Type

Pronoun Change Rule (SON Rule)

Solved Examples

Example 1. He said, “I am writing a letter.”
Indirect: He said that he was writing a letter.

Example 2. She said to me, “Where are you going?”
Indirect: She asked me where I was going.

Example 3. The teacher said to the class, “The earth moves round the sun.”
Indirect: The teacher told the class that the earth moves round the sun. (universal truth, no tense change)

Example 4. Ram said to Sita, “Did you see the film yesterday?”
Indirect: Ram asked Sita if she had seen the film the day before.

Example 5. He said, “Alas! I have lost my purse.”
Indirect: He exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his purse.

Example 6. Convert to direct speech: She told me that she would come the next day.
Direct: She said to me, “I will come tomorrow.”

Tricks

• First identify the sentence type and choose the right reporting verb.
• Change the tense only if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
• Check pronouns using the SON rule.
• Remove the question mark and exclamation mark in indirect speech.
• Do not use “that” for questions and commands.

Quick Tips

• Identify the type of sentence first.
• Apply the SON rule for pronouns.
• Do not change the tense when the reported speech is a universal truth.
• Use if or whether for yes-or-no questions.

Quick Revision Points

• Past reporting verb: shift the tense back.
• Now becomes then and here becomes there.
• Commands use to + verb.
• Questions take a statement order in indirect speech.
• Universal truths do not change tense.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Change to indirect: He said, “I am happy.”
   Answer: He said that he was happy.
2. Change to indirect: She said to him, “Do you like tea?”
   Answer: She asked him if he liked tea.
3. Change to indirect: Mother said to me, “Go to bed.”
   Answer: Mother told me to go to bed.
4. Change to indirect: He said, “I will come tomorrow.”
   Answer: He said that he would come the next day.
5. Change to indirect: “What are you doing?” he asked me.
   Answer: He asked me what I was doing.
6. Change to indirect: She said, “Hurrah! I have won.”
   Answer: She exclaimed with joy that she had won.
7. Change to direct: He said that he had finished the work.
   Answer: He said, “I have finished the work.”
8. Change to indirect: The teacher said, “Honesty is the best policy.”
   Answer: The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.
9. Change to indirect: He said to me, “Please lend me your pen.”
   Answer: He requested me to lend him my pen.
10. Change to indirect: “Where were you yesterday?” she asked him.
    Answer: She asked him where he had been the day before.

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the English notes page, read the previous topic Subject-Verb Agreement and the next topic Idioms and Phrases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct speech?

It is the exact quotation of the speaker’s words, written within quotation marks.

What is indirect speech?

It is the report of the speaker’s words in the reporter’s own words, without quotation marks.

When does the tense not change?

When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, or when the statement is a universal truth.

How is a question changed to indirect speech?

Use asked with if or whether for yes-no questions, or the same wh-word for other questions, and use a statement word order.

How is a command changed to indirect speech?

Use ordered, commanded, requested or advised with to + verb.

What does the SON rule mean?

S: first person follows the Subject; O: second person follows the Object; N: third person has No change.

What does now change to?

Then.

What does tomorrow change to?

The next day or the following day.

How is an exclamation reported?

Use exclaimed with joy, sorrow or surprise and report it as a statement with that.

Is narration asked in SSC?

Yes. It is asked in SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and other exams every year.

What does must change to?

Had to (or remains must).

What are common mistakes?

Changing the tense when it should not change, and keeping the question word order.