Direct & Indirect Speech Quiz - Rules, Examples, and Practice MCQs

We often need to report what someone else said. Sometimes we quote them exactly (Direct Speech), and sometimes we rephrase their words (Indirect or Reported Speech). Knowing how to shift between the two is essential for clear communication, grammar exams, and effective writing.

• Direct Speech: Exact words, shown with quotation marks.
• Example: Ali said, “I am going to school.”
• Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): The same idea, but without quotes, usually changing tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
• Example: Ali said that he was going to school.

This quiz gives you 25 interactive questions to practice transforming sentences between direct and indirect speech. Each attempt is fresh, with instant scoring and explanations so you don’t just practice — you truly learn.

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Direct & Indirect (Reported) Speech - Quick & Clear Rules with Examples

We report what someone said in two ways. In Direct Speech, we quote the exact words inside quotation marks. In Indirect (Reported) Speech, we keep the meaning but change the form (often the tense, pronouns, and time words). Use this quick guide before you start the quiz.

1) Tense Changes (Backshifting)

When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked), the tense usually moves one step back.

Direct

She said, “I am tired.”

Indirect

She said that she was tired.

Direct Tense	Indirect Tense	Example
Present Simple	Past Simple	“I play cricket.” → He said he played cricket.
Present Continuous	Past Continuous	“I am reading.” → She said she was reading.
Present Perfect	Past Perfect	“I have eaten.” → He said he had eaten.
Past Simple	Past Perfect	“I bought a car.” → She said she had bought a car.
Future (will)	would	“I will help you.” → He said he would help me.

No backshift is needed if the reporting verb is present (e.g., She says…), or when the original statement is still true or a general fact.

2) Pronoun Changes

Pronouns change to fit the reporter’s point of view.

Direct

Sara said, “I love my parents.”

Indirect

Sara said that she loved her parents.

3) Time and Place Words

These often shift in reported speech:

• today → that day
• tomorrow → the next day
• yesterday → the previous day
• now → then
• here → there

Direct

He said, “I will go tomorrow.”

Indirect

He said that he would go the next day.

4) Reporting Questions

• Drop question word order; use statement order in the report.
• Use if/whether for yes/no questions.
• Keep wh‑words (who, what, where, when, why, how) in place.

Direct

He asked, “Do you like tea?”

Indirect

He asked if I liked tea.

Direct

She asked, “Where are you going?”

Indirect

She asked where I was going.

5) Reporting Commands & Requests

Use to + base verb for commands and requests. Use not to for negative commands.

Direct

He said, “Close the door.”

Indirect

He told me to close the door.

Direct

She said, “Please help me.”

Indirect

She asked me to help her.

Direct

He said, “Don’t be late.”

Indirect

He told me not to be late.

Quick Tip

Keep Direct Speech for exact words and lively storytelling. Use Indirect Speech for summaries, reports, and formal writing. When in doubt, check tense, pronouns, and time words.