Direct and Indirect Speech: Definitions, Rules, with Examples and Exercise + Free PDF
These grammar worksheets help you practice degrees of certainty in English. Free downloadable PDF worksheets with answers are available for offline practice.
Quick Rules and Exercises.
Tense Backshift Rules
When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked, etc.), the tense usually moves one step back.
Present Simple → Past Simple
“I work hard.”→ He said that he worked hard.
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
“I am studying.” → He said that he was studying.
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
“I have finished.”→ He said that he had finished.
Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
“I have been working.”→ He said that he had been working.
Past Simple → Past Perfect
“I saw him.”→ He said that he had seen him.
Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
“I was sleeping.”→ He said that he had been sleeping.
Past Perfect → No Change
“I had finished.”→ He said that he had finished.
Past Perfect Continuous → No Change
“I had been waiting.”→ He said that he had been waiting.
Future Simple → Would
“I will help you.”→ He said that he would help me.
Future Continuous → Would Be + V-ing
“I will be working.”→ He said that he would be working.
Future Perfect → Would Have + Past Participle
“I will have finished.”→ He said that he would have finished.
Future Perfect Continuous → Would Have Been + V-ing
“I will have been working.”→ He said that he would have been working.
When No Backshift Is Needed
Universal Truth
The teacher said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.” → The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Scientific Facts
She said, “Water boils at 100°C.”→ She said that water boils at 100°C.
Still True Now
He said, “I live in Stockholm.”→ He said that he lives in Stockholm.
‘Where do you live?’
She asked me where I
.
‘Have you finished the report?’
The manager asked whether I
the report.
‘Don’t touch the wire.’
The electrician warned us
the wire.
‘Please help me with this box.’
She asked me
her with that box.
‘You should see a doctor.’
He advised me
a doctor.
‘Let’s meet after work.’
She suggested
after work.
‘Remember to lock the door.’
Dad reminded me
the door.
‘I will never tell anyone your secret.’
He promised
anyone my secret.
‘I didn’t take the money.’
The suspect denied
the money.
‘Yes, I broke the window.’
The boy admitted
the window.
‘Could you help me tomorrow?’
She asked whether I
her the next day.
‘If I had known the truth, I would have acted differently.’
He said that if he
the truth, he would have acted differently.
‘You must wear a helmet at all times.’
The instructor told us that we
a helmet at all times.
‘Why hadn’t you called me before the meeting started?’
She asked why I
her before the meeting had started.
This free PDF includes more exercises with answers. Suitable for students and teachers