Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers – fill in the blanks worksheet for online practice. Best way to learn and practice the English Grammar.
Fill in the Blanks – Direct and Indirect Speech
Fill in the blank spaces with a verb in the correct tense
Complete indirect speech sentences with the pronoun or determiner
After Exercises with Answers, we may learn concepts of Direct and Indirect Speech in English Grammar.
Direct Speech
The exact words that someone says are called direct speech. Quotation marks “ ” are used to set off direct speech.
Mom said, “Where are my keys?”
“This ice cream is delicious,” said Tom.
“Have you boys washed your hands?” asked Dad.
“Please get out of the car,” the police officer ordered.
“What a beautiful dress!” said Sally.
Indirect Speech
You can report what someone says without using their exact words. To do this, use a verb like say, ask or tell, followed by that. This is called indirect speech. There are several differences between a sentence with direct speech and a sentence with indirect speech.
You don’t use quotation marks with indirect speech.
You change the tense of the verb.
You change the pronouns and determiners.
Here are some examples. The verb tenses that change are printed in bold and the pronouns and determiners that change are printed in color. Remember that the past tense of can is could and the past tense of will is would.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| Maggie said, “I feel ill.” | Maggie said that she felt ill. |
| Sumiko said, “It’s time to leave.” | Sumiko said that it was time to leave. |
| “I can’t find my book,” said Alice. | Alice said that she couldn’t find her book. |
| “John is hitting me,” said Peter. | Peter said that John was hitting him. |
| Dad said, “I haven’t had my Dad said that he hadn’t had his breakfast yet.” | Dad said that he hadn’t had his breakfast yet. |
| “My car won’t start,” said Mom. | Mom said that her car wouldn’t start. |
In indirect speech people often leave out the conjunction that.
Maggie said that she felt ill.
Sumiko said that it was time to leave.
Alice said that she couldn’t find her book.
Peter said that John was hitting him.
Dad said that he hadn’t had his breakfast yet.
When you are using indirect speech to report a statement that is still true now, you don’t change the tense of the verb.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| John said, “My mom doesn’t like fish.” | John said that his mom doesn’t like fish. |
| “I live in a house by the sea,” said Anna. | Anna said that she lives in a house by the sea. |
| Dad said, “Paris is a beautiful city.” | Dad said Paris is a beautiful city. |
Indirect Commands
Use verbs like order, tell and warn to report orders and instructions.
The construction to + verb or not to + verb may also be used.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| The teacher said, “Stop running in the corridor!” | The teacher ordered us to stop running in the corridor. |
| “Put your books away, children,” said Mr. Park. | Mr. Park told the children to put their books away. |
| Dad said to David, “Please help me by washing the dishes.” | Dad asked David to help him by washing the dishes. |
| Jack said to Maggie, “Please don’t tell anyone my secret!” | Jack begged Maggie not to tell anyone his secret. |
| Miss Lee said to Alan, “Don’t be late again tomorrow.” | Miss Lee warned Alan not to be late again the next day. |
Indirect Questions
The verb ask is usually used to report questions.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| Sally said, “Where is my backpack?” | Sally asked where her backpack was. |
| Peter said, “Have you finished your Peter asked if I had finished my homework?” | Peter asked if I had finished my homework. |
To report a question, put the subject before the verb or helping verb. Remember that the subject comes after the helping verb when you ask a question. Here are some examples. The subjects are printed in bold and the verbs are printed in color.
| asking a question | reporting a question |
| “Where are they going?” | I asked where they were going. |
| “Can Jack ride his bike?” | I asked if Jack could ride his bike. |
| “Did Miss Lee sing a song?” | I asked whether Miss Lee sang a song. |
| “Has she finished her homework?” | I asked if she had finished her homework. |
To report a question-word question, use the same question word in direct speech.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| Mom said, “Where are your shoes?” | Mom asked where my shoes were. |
| Maggie said, “Who has taken my pen?” | Maggie asked who had taken her pen. |
| “What time does the show start?” asked Sue. | Sue asked what time the show started. |
| Peter said, “Why did you leave before the end of the movie?” | Peter asked why I left before the end of the movie. |
When you are reporting yes or no questions, use if or whether after the verb.
| Direct speech | Indirect speech |
| “Is it raining?” asked Tom. | Tom asked if it was raining. |
| Alice said, “Can you help us?” | Alice asked whether I could help them. |
| Dad said, “Is the train on time?” | Dad asked if the train was on time. |