Reported Speech

 Understanding Reported Speech: A Guide for Grade 10 Students

Introduction

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way to relay what someone else has said without quoting them directly. It is an essential part of English grammar that helps in reporting conversations, news, and statements. For grade 10 students, mastering reported speech can enhance both writing and speaking skills. This blog will cover the basics of reported speech, the rules for converting direct speech to reported speech, and some examples to make the concepts clear.

About the Author

Hi there! I'm Mukesh Manjil Bhattarai, a class 10 student from Nepal Police School, Samakhusi, in section Valmiki. Today, I want to share some insights on reported speech, a fundamental aspect of English grammar that will help you communicate more effectively. Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way to relay what someone else has said without quoting them directly. Let's dive into the basics, rules, and examples of reported speech to enhance your writing and speaking skills.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is used when you want to tell someone what another person said, but without using the exact words. For example, if your friend says, "I am going to the park," you can report this by saying, "He said he was going to the park."

Rules for Converting Direct Speech to Reported Speech

1. Change of Pronouns: Pronouns in direct speech may need to be changed to suit the context of the reported speech.

   • Direct: She said, "I am happy."
   • Reported: She said that she was happy.

2. Change of Tenses: The tense in direct speech often changes when converting to reported speech.

   • Direct: He said, "I will go to the market."
   • Reported: He said that he would go to the market.

3. Change of Time Expressions: Words that indicate time change in reported speech.

   • Direct: She said, "I will see you tomorrow."
   • Reported: She said that she would see me the next day.

4. No Quotation Marks: In reported speech, quotation marks are not used.

   • Direct: "I am reading a book," he said.
   • Reported: He said that he was reading a book.

Examples

Let's look at some examples to understand the conversion process better.

1. Simple Present to Simple Past:

   • Direct: He says, "I eat an apple every day."
   • Reported: He said that he ate an apple every day.

2. Present Continuous to Past Continuous:

   • Direct: She says, "I am studying for my exams."
   • Reported: She said that she was studying for her exams.

3. Present Perfect to Past Perfect:

   • Direct: They say, "We have completed the project."
   • Reported: They said that they had completed the project.

4. Will to Would:

   • Direct: He says, "I will call you later."
   • Reported: He said that he would call me later.

5. Can to Could:

   • Direct: She says, "I can solve this problem."
   • Reported: She said that she could solve the problem.

Special Cases

1. Questions:

   • Direct: He asked, "Are you coming to the party?"
   • Reported: He asked if I was coming to the party.

2. Commands:

   • Direct: She said, "Close the door."
   • Reported: She told me to close the door.

3. Requests:

   • Direct: He said, "Please help me."
   • Reported: He asked me to help him.

Practice Exercises

1. Convert the following sentences into reported speech:

   • Direct: She said, "I am going to the market."
   • Direct: They said, "We have won the match."
   • Direct: He asked, "Do you like pizza?"

2. Identify and correct the errors in the reported speech sentences:

   • Reported: He said that he will go to the party.
   • Reported: She said that she can finish the work.

Conclusion

Understanding and using reported speech correctly is crucial for effective communication. By following the rules and practicing regularly, grade 10 students can improve their grammar skills and convey messages more accurately. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing the conversions and soon, reported speech will become second nature!