We often convey a message or give information about what someone said, thought, or felt to somebody else. In order to do this, you can use the grammar structure named indirect or reported speech. direct and indirect rules have already talked about, below we have prepared direct and indirect exercises with answers for ESL learners.

Also Read:

• Direct And Indirect Speech Complete Rules
• Direct and Indirect Objects Exercise With Answers

Direct and Indirect Exercises

Attempt the exercises below then compare your answers with the correct answers given below.

Exercise 1:

Turn into reported speech.
1. “It’s hot” Tom said that _______________________________________________________.
2. “I have done my homework.” Tom said that __________________________________________________.
3. “I will give you a book” Tom said that _______________________________________________________.
4. “Do you smoke?” Tom asked me if ____________________________________________________.
5. “Where does Bob live?” Tom asked me where _______________________________________________.
6. “Jane has not arrived yet” Tom told us that________________________________________________________.
7. “I’m so worried,” Tom, told us that_______________________________________________________.
8. “I want to go away”. Tom told us that ____________________________________________________.
9. “You should eat less.” The doctor advised me that _______________________________________.
10. “Don’t shout” The teacher told me________________________________.

Exercise 2:

Turn into direct speech.
1. Mary said she was very tired.
Mary said, “____________________________________________________________.”
2. The teacher told the boys to open their books.
The teacher said to the boys, “___________________________________________________________.”
3. Tom’s mother told him not to eat any ice cream.
Tom’s mother said to Tom: “_____________________________________________________________.”
4. My friend said that he was going skiing at the weekend.
My friend said: “__________________________________________________at the weekend.”
5. Bob’s mates told the teacher that Bob was ill that day.
Bob’s mates said: “Teacher,__________________________________________________________ today.”
6. Mary told Jane she would help her.
Mary said to Jane,”____________________________________________________.”
7. I said I would have bought a new car if I had had the money.
I said,”_______________________________________________________________________________.”
8. My father told me to look for a job if I wanted more money.
My father said:”_____________________________________________________________.”
9. Tim wrote to his brother that their cat had died that day.
Tim wrote to his brother: “________________________________________________________________.”
10. The teacher informed the students that the break lasted ten minutes.
The teacher said to the students,”____________________________________________________________.”

Exercise 3:

Turn the following questions into reported speech.
1. “Where do you live?”
Mary asked Tom, “______________________________________________.”
2. “How are you going to travel to Italy?”
Mary asked Tom__________________________________________________.
3. “Why did you buy that book?”
Mary asked Tom___________________________________________________.
4. “What’s the time?”
Mary asked Tom__________________________________________________.
5. “Who helped you with your work?”
Mary asked Tom______________________________________________.

Choose the right option
6. I (said/told) her not to disturb me.
7. My friend never (told/said) me about his plans.
8. The teacher (that/said) that we had to study harder.
9. Don’t (tell/say) me what I have to do.
10. He did not (say/tell) why he was late.

Exercise 4:

The following sentences use quoted speech. Change the following sentences from quoted speech to reported speech.
1.) James said, “I am watching TV.”
2.) Professor Jones said, “I worked all day!”
3.) The president said, “I will be visiting Italy in December.”
4.) The weatherman announced, “It may rain today.”
5.) My father screamed, “I have to go to the airport, now!”
6.) Then my mother said, “I must take your father.”
7.) The psychologist said, “You should calm down.”
8.) I responded, “I ought to leave the office.”
9.) Mark said, “I love visiting China and Korea.”
10.) Martin said, “I can be a great president!”
11.) Sung-He said, “Close the windows”
12.) Bobby will say, “I have already done direct and indirect speech exercises.”

Related Articles:

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• Direct and Indirect of Future Perfect Progressive
• Direct and Indirect of Future Perfect Tense
• Direct and Indirect of Future Progressive Tense
• Direct and Indirect of Simple Future Tense
• Direct and Indirect of Past Perfect Progressive
• Direct and Indirect of Past Perfect Tense

Answers:

Exercise 1.

1. Tom said that it was hot.
2. Tom said that he had done his homework.
3. Tom said that he would give me a book.
4. Tom asked me if I smoked.
5. Tom asked me where Bob lived.
6. Tom told us that Jane had not arrived yet.
7. Tom told us that he was so worried.
8. Tom told us that he wanted to go away.
9. The doctor advised me that I should eat less.
10. The teacher told me not to shout.

Exercise 2.

1. Mary said, “I am very tired.”
2. The teacher said to the boys, “open your books.”
3. Tom’s mother said to Tom: “Don’t eat any ice cream.”
4. My friend said:” I am going skiing on the weekend.
5. Bob’s mates said: “Teacher, Bob is ill today.”
6. Mary said to Jane, “I will help you.”
7. I said, “I will have bought a new car if I had had the money.”
8. My father said: “look for a job if I want more money.”
9. Tom wrote to his brother:” Our cat died today.”
10. The teacher said to the student, “the break lasts ten minutes.”

Exercise 3.

1. Mary asked Tom, “Where he lived.”
2. Mary asked Tom how he was going to travel to Italy.
3. Mary asked Tom why he bought that book.
4. Mary asked Tom what was the time.
5. Mary asked Tom who helped him with his work.
6. I told her not to disturb me.
7. My friend never told me about his plans.
8. The teacher said that we had to study harder.
9. Do not tell me what I have to do.
10. He did not say why he was late.

Exercise 4.

1. James said that he was watching TV.
2. Professor Jones said that he had worked all day.
3. The president said that he would be visiting Italy in December.
4. The weatherman announced that it might rain that day.
5. My father screamed that he had to go to the airport, then.
6. Then my mother said that she had to take my father.
7. The psychologist said that I should calm down.
8. I responded I ought to leave the office.
9. Mark said that he loved visiting China and Korea.
10. Martin said that he could be a great president.
11. Sung-He ordered to close the windows.
12. Bobby will say that he has already done Direct and Indirect Exercises.

I hope the direct and indirect exercises were helpful to you and if you would like to know more about direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech, check out more in the book below.