Direct and Indirect Speech - English Grammar Lesson
This lesson explains direct and indirect speech in simple English, with rules and examples for students and exam preparation.
Rule
Reported speech usually moves the verb one tense back and changes pronouns and time words.
Examples
- He said, I am tired. / He said that he was tired.
- She said, I will come. / She said she would come.
Common Mistake
| Incorrect | He said me |
|---|---|
| Correct | He told me |
Practice Tip
Write three original sentences about this topic, then check each one against the rule above.
Related: Parts of Speech and English Tenses.