Reported Speech Class 10 – Rules, Detailed Explanation, Exercises, and PYQs

Introduction

Reported Speech is one of the most important grammar topics in Class 10 English. It is a part of narration but in central board's syllabus, only reported speech is included. It is tested in Board Exams, Sample Papers, and Previous Year Papers (PYQs). Students are expected to know the rules of converting Direct Speech into Indirect Speech and apply them correctly in exams.

This article explains:

What reported speech is
Detailed rules with tables and charts
Exercises based on board exam pattern
Solved PYQs and SQP-type questions
50 Boards Style Questions

What is Reported Speech?

When we express the meaning of someone’s words without quoting them exactly, we use Reported Speech (also called Indirect Speech).

Direct Speech: Uses the speaker’s exact words within quotation marks.

Example: He said, “I am studying.”

Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): Conveys the same message without quotation marks.

Example: He said that he was studying.

Rules of Reported Speech (Class 10)

1. Change of Pronouns

The pronoun changes depending on the subject and object in the reporting sentence.

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
He said, “I am tired.”	He said that he was tired.
She said, “We are going to the park.”	She said that they were going to the park.
They said, “You are late.”	They said that I was late.

2. Change of Tenses

If the reporting verb is in past tense, the tense in reported speech changes accordingly.

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
Present simple → Past simple	She said, “I read books.” → She said that she read books.
Present continuous → Past continuous	He said, “I am working.” → He said that he was working.
Present perfect → Past perfect	They said, “We have finished.” → They said that they had finished.
Past simple → Past perfect	She said, “I bought a dress.” → She said that she had bought a dress.
Future (will) → Would	He said, “I will call you.” → He said that he would call me.

Note: If the reporting verb is in present or future tense, the tense does not change.

Example: She says, “I am happy.” → She says that she is happy.

3. Change of Time and Place Expressions

Some words in direct speech change in reported speech:

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
now → then	today → that day
yesterday → the previous day	tomorrow → the next day
last night → the previous night	next week → the following week
here → there	ago → before

Example: He said, “I met her yesterday.” → He said that he had met her the previous day.

4. Reporting Statements (Assertive Sentences)

Conjunction that is used (though sometimes omitted).

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
She said, “I like reading.”	She said that she liked reading.
They said, “We are ready.”	They said that they were ready.

5. Reporting Questions (Interrogatives)

Remove the question mark.
Use if/whether for yes-no questions.
Use the same wh-word for wh-questions.

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
She asked, “Are you coming?”	She asked if I was coming.
He asked, “Where do you live?”	He asked where I lived.

6. Reporting Commands, Requests, and Advice

Use verbs like told, ordered, requested, advised, asked.
Use to + verb for positive commands.
Use not to + verb for negative commands.

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
The teacher said, “Work hard.”	The teacher advised us to work hard.
He said, “Don’t be late.”	He told me not to be late.

7. Reporting Exclamations and Wishes

Exclamations are reported with words like exclaimed, wished, prayed, cried.

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
She said, “Wow! What a beautiful painting!”	She exclaimed that it was a very beautiful painting.
He said, “May you succeed.”	He wished that I might succeed.

Exercises

Exercise 1 – Convert into Indirect Speech (Solved)

She said, “I am going to the market.”

→ She said that she was going to the market.

The teacher said, “Do not waste time.”

→ The teacher told us not to waste time.

He asked me, “Where are you going?”

→ He asked me where I was going.

My father said, “I will help you tomorrow.”

→ My father said that he would help me the next day.

Class 10 English – Reported Speech MCQs (50 Questions, Board Pattern)

Q1 (PYQ 2019):

She said to me, “Do you know the way to the station?”
a) She asked me do I know the way to the station
b) She asked me if I knew the way to the station
c) She said me if I knew the way to the station
d) She said me do I know the way to the station
Answer: b

Q2 (PYQ 2020):

He said, “I have been waiting for you since morning.”
a) He said that he had been waiting for me since morning
b) He said that I had been waiting for him since morning
c) He said that he have been waiting for me since morning
d) He said that he waited me since morning
Answer: a

Q3:

The teacher said, “Be regular in your studies.”
a) The teacher said to be regular in studies
b) The teacher advised the students to be regular in their studies
c) The teacher said that be regular in your studies
d) The teacher told to students regular in studies
Answer: b

Q4:

He said, “I will call you tomorrow.”
a) He said that he will call me the next day
b) He said that he would call me the next day
c) He said that he would call you tomorrow
d) He said that he will call me tomorrow
Answer: b

Q5:

She said, “I am going to the market.”
a) She said she was going to the market
b) She said that she is going to the market
c) She said she going to the market
d) She said that I am going to the market
Answer: a

Q6:

He asked, “Where do you live?”
a) He asked where do I live
b) He asked where I lived
c) He asked where I live
d) He asked where I had lived
Answer: b

Q7 (PYQ 2021):

The child said, “I saw a rainbow yesterday.”
a) The child said that I had seen a rainbow yesterday
b) The child said that he had seen a rainbow the previous day
c) The child said that he saw a rainbow yesterday
d) The child said that he has seen a rainbow yesterday
Answer: b

Q8:

He said, “Don’t be late.”
a) He told me not to be late
b) He told me don’t be late
c) He said me not to be late
d) He told me not be late
Answer: a

Q9:

She said, “Where is my notebook?”
a) She asked where is her notebook
b) She asked where was her notebook
c) She asked where her notebook was
d) She asked where her notebook is
Answer: c

Q10:

He said, “Hurrah! We won the match.”
a) He exclaimed that they won the match
b) He exclaimed that they had won the match
c) He exclaimed that we won the match
d) He said that they won the match
Answer: b

Q11:

She said, “I have finished my homework.”
a) She said she has finished her homework
b) She said she had finished her homework
c) She said that I had finished my homework
d) She said that she finish her homework
Answer: b

Q12:

The boy said, “I am tired now.”
a) The boy said that he is tired now
b) The boy said that he was tired then
c) The boy said he tired then
d) The boy said that I was tired then
Answer: b

Q13:

The teacher said, “Do not write on the walls.”
a) The teacher told not to write on the walls
b) The teacher told the students not to write on the walls
c) The teacher said do not write on the walls
d) The teacher told not write on walls
Answer: b

Q14:

He said, “I am going to meet my friend.”
a) He said he is going to meet his friend
b) He said he was going to meet his friend
c) He said I am going to meet my friend
d) He said that I am going to meet his friend
Answer: b

Q15:

She asked me, “Did you complete your homework?”
a) She asked me if I completed my homework
b) She asked me if I had completed my homework
c) She asked me whether I complete my homework
d) She asked me did I complete my homework
Answer: b

Q16:

He said, “I can swim very well.”
a) He said that he could swim very well
b) He said that I could swim very well
c) He said that he can swim very well
d) He said he can swim very well
Answer: a

Q17:

The teacher said, “Work hard to succeed.”
a) The teacher said work hard to succeed
b) The teacher advised to work hard to succeed
c) The teacher advised us to work hard to succeed
d) The teacher said that we work hard to succeed
Answer: c

Q18:

He asked, “Why are you crying?”
a) He asked why I was crying
b) He asked why I am crying
c) He asked why I were crying
d) He asked why I cried
Answer: a

Q19:

She said, “I am feeling unwell.”
a) She said that she was feeling unwell
b) She said that I was feeling unwell
c) She said that she is feeling unwell
d) She said that she feel unwell
Answer: a

Q20:

He said, “I will help you.”
a) He said that he would help me
b) He said that he will help me
c) He said that I will help him
d) He said he would help you
Answer: a

Q21 (PYQ 2022):

He said, “I have lost my keys.”
a) He said that he has lost his keys
b) He said that he had lost his keys
c) He said that I had lost my keys
d) He said that he lost my keys
Answer: b

Q22:

She said, “Please help me.”
a) She requested me to help her
b) She requested me help her
c) She asked me please help her
d) She asked me help
Answer: a

Q23:

The boy said, “I am hungry.”
a) The boy said he is hungry
b) The boy said he was hungry
c) The boy said I am hungry
d) The boy said he were hungry
Answer: b

Q24:

He said, “Where have you been all day?”
a) He asked where I have been all day
b) He asked where I had been all day
c) He asked where I was all day
d) He asked where have I been all day
Answer: b

Q25:

The teacher said, “Don’t run in the corridor.”
a) The teacher told not to run in the corridor
b) The teacher told us not to run in the corridor
c) The teacher said do not run in the corridor
d) The teacher told us don’t run in the corridor
Answer: b

Q26:

She said, “I saw him yesterday.”
a) She said that she saw him yesterday
b) She said that she had seen him the previous day
c) She said that I had seen him yesterday
d) She said that she has seen him yesterday
Answer: b

Q27:

He asked, “Do you like ice cream?”
a) He asked if I liked ice cream
b) He asked do I like ice cream
c) He asked whether I like ice cream
d) He asked if I like ice cream
Answer: a

Q28:

My father said, “I will visit your school tomorrow.”
a) My father said that he will visit my school tomorrow
b) My father said that he would visit my school the next day
c) My father said he will visit my school tomorrow
d) My father said he would visit your school tomorrow
Answer: b

Q29 (PYQ 2020):

The child said, “I want to play with my friends.”
a) The child said that he wanted to play with his friends
b) The child said that I want to play with my friends
c) The child said that he want to play with friends
d) The child said that he wanted play with his friends
Answer: a

Q30:

She said, “I cannot come today.”
a) She said that she cannot come today
b) She said that she could not come that day
c) She said she cannot come today
d) She said that I could not come today
Answer: b

Q31:

He said, “I have completed the project.”
a) He said that he has completed the project
b) He said that he had completed the project
c) He said that I had completed the project
d) He said that he completed the project
Answer: b

Q32:

The teacher said, “Open your books.”
a) The teacher told to open the books
b) The teacher told us to open our books
c) The teacher said open the books
d) The teacher advised open the books
Answer: b

Q33:

She said, “I am feeling sick.”
a) She said that she was feeling sick
b) She said that I am feeling sick
c) She said that she felt sick
d) She said she is feeling sick
Answer: a

Q34:

He said, “I will meet you at the station.”
a) He said he will meet me at the station
b) He said that he would meet me at the station
c) He said he would meet you at the station
d) He said that I would meet him at the station
Answer: b

Q35:

She said, “I bought a new dress yesterday.”
a) She said that she bought a new dress yesterday
b) She said that she had bought a new dress the previous day
c) She said that I bought a new dress yesterday
d) She said that she has bought a new dress yesterday
Answer: b

Q36:

He said, “Do not enter the room.”
a) He told not to enter the room
b) He told me not to enter the room
c) He said do not enter the room
d) He advised do not enter the room
Answer: b

Q37:

She asked, “What is your name?”
a) She asked what is my name
b) She asked what my name is
c) She asked what my name was
d) She asked what was my name
Answer: c

Q38:

He said, “I am reading a book.”
a) He said he is reading a book
b) He said he was reading a book
c) He said that I am reading a book
d) He said he read a book
Answer: b

Q39:

The teacher said, “Sit down quietly.”
a) The teacher told us sit down quietly
b) The teacher told us to sit down quietly
c) The teacher said sit down quietly
d) The teacher advised us sit down quietly
Answer: b

Q40 (PYQ 2021):

He said, “I have lost my way.”
a) He said he has lost his way
b) He said that he had lost his way
c) He said I have lost my way
d) He said he lost my way
Answer: b

Q41:

She said, “I will never forget this day.”
a) She said she will never forget that day
b) She said she would never forget that day
c) She said I will never forget this day
d) She said she will never forget this day
Answer: b

Q42:

He said, “I can speak three languages.”
a) He said he can speak three languages
b) He said he could speak three languages
c) He said I could speak three languages
d) He said that he can speak three languages
Answer: b

Q43:

She said, “May God bless you.”
a) She wished that God bless me
b) She wished that God might bless me
c) She wished that God blesses me
d) She said God bless me
Answer: b

Q44:

He asked, “Have you completed the work?”
a) He asked if I completed the work
b) He asked if I had completed the work
c) He asked whether I complete the work
d) He asked whether I have completed the work
Answer: b

Q45:

The boy said, “I am learning to swim.”
a) The boy said he is learning to swim
b) The boy said he was learning to swim
c) The boy said I am learning to swim
d) The boy said he learned to swim
Answer: b

Q46:

She said, “I saw a movie yesterday.”
a) She said she saw a movie yesterday
b) She said she had seen a movie the previous day
c) She said that I had seen a movie yesterday
d) She said she has seen a movie yesterday
Answer: b

Q47:

He said, “I will return home soon.”
a) He said he will return home soon
b) He said he would return home soon
c) He said I will return home soon
d) He said he would return home tomorrow
Answer: b

Q48:

The teacher said, “Be honest in your work.”
a) The teacher told us to be honest in our work
b) The teacher said be honest in your work
c) The teacher told us honest in work
d) The teacher said that be honest in work
Answer: a

Q49:

He said, “I have never seen such a place before.”
a) He said he has never seen such a place before
b) He said he had never seen such a place before
c) He said I had never seen such a place before
d) He said he never seen such a place before
Answer: b

Q50 (PYQ 2023):

She said, “I will help you with the assignment.”
a) She said she will help me with the assignment
b) She said she would help me with the assignment
c) She said that I will help her with the assignment
d) She said she helps me with the assignment
Answer: b

PYQs (Previous Year Questions on Reported Speech)

PYQ 2019:
She said to me, “Do you know the way to the station?”
→ She asked me if I knew the way to the station.

PYQ 2020:
He said, “I have been waiting for you since morning.”
→ He said that he had been waiting for me since morning.

PYQ 2021 (Sample Paper):
The teacher said, “Be regular in your studies.”
→ The teacher advised the students to be regular in their studies.

PYQ 2022:
The child said, “I saw a rainbow yesterday.”
→ The child said that he had seen a rainbow the previous day.

Common Errors in Reported Speech

Error	Correct Form
He asked me where was I going.	He asked me where I was going.
She said that she is tired.	She said that she was tired.
He told to me to sit down.	He told me to sit down.

Summary Notes

Change pronouns, tense, and time expressions correctly.
Use that in reported statements.
Use if/whether for yes-no questions.
For commands, use to + verb / not to + verb.
Avoid using quotation marks in indirect speech.

Final Tips for Exams

Reported Speech often carries 2–3 marks in Board exams.
Practice 20–25 transformations daily.
Revise rules and exceptions carefully.
Write answers in clear, error-free sentences.

Narration: Class 10 – Easy Rules, 50 Examples Exercises, and PYQs | Toppers Hub