Eduqo
English Grammar›Ch 5: Direct & Indirect Speech›Direct to Indirect Speech
Master backshift, pronouns, time changes, and universal truths for exams.
To convert direct speech into indirect speech, change the reporting verb, shift the tense backward, update pronouns using the SON rule, and adjust time and place words.
Memory Hooks
| Direct Word | Indirect Word | Example Change |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Then | now -> then |
| Today | That day | today -> that day |
| Here | There | here -> there |
| Tomorrow | The next day | tomorrow -> the next day |
Statements
(Use said that)
Use said that
He said, 'I am ready.' -> He said that he was ready.
Questions
(Use asked or enquired)
Use asked or enquired
He said, 'Where are you?' -> He asked where I was.
Imperatives
(Ordered / Requested)
Ordered / Requested
He said, 'Sit down.' -> He ordered them to sit down.
Truths
(No tense change)
No tense change
He said, 'Sun rises in east.' -> He said sun rises in east.
He said that he is going.He said that he was going.
Reporting verb is past, so present tense must backshift to past.
He asked me that where I lived.He asked me where I lived.
Never use 'that' with wh-question words in indirect speech.
He said the earth was round.He said the earth is round.
Universal truths never change tense, even with a past reporting verb.
Q1.Choose the correct indirect form: He said, 'I am writing a letter now.'
Q2.Choose the correct indirect form: She said, 'Honesty is the best policy.'