Basic English Grammar I

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.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank spaces with a verb in the correct tense. The first one has been done

for you.

direct speech indirect speech

1. “I am very tired,” said Dad. Dad said that he very tired.


2. “You look very handsome, Mike,” Mom told Mike that he
   said Mom. very handsome.


3. The teacher said, “Sam has not The teacher said that Sam
   made any mistakes.” not made any mistakes.


4. “I am losing my patience,” said Mr. Carter said that he losing
   Mr. Carter. his patience.


5. “You can come to my house for Maggie told Jason that he
   dinner,” Maggie told Jason. come to her house for dinner.


6. Dad said, “Hurry up or we will be Dad told us to hurry up or we
   late.” be late.


7. “The train is coming,” said Peter. Peter said that the train
   coming.


8. “I have cleaned up my room,” said Kathleen said that she cleaned
   Kathleen. up her room.


9. The teacher said, “It is time to stop The teacher said that it time
   writing.” to stop writing.


10. “I don’t want to watch TV,” said John said that he want to
    John. watch TV.

Direct and Indirect Speech: Indirect Commands

was

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