Complete Guide to Reported Speech: Rules, Examples, and Conversions

The basic formula is [Subject] + [Reporting Verb] + (that) + [Changed Statement]. Our comprehensive guide above provides detailed explanations with examples in the "Basic Rules and Formula" section, including all six essential conversion rules.

Tenses generally shift one step back in time (Present → Past, Past → Past Perfect). The complete tense conversion table in this guide shows all 12 tense changes with clear examples for each transformation.

Direct speech uses exact words in quotation marks, while indirect (reported) speech conveys the message without exact words or quotes. Check our introduction section above for a detailed comparison table with examples.

Yes, most modal verbs change: can→could, will→would, may→might, shall→should/would, must→had to. However, could, would, should, might, and ought to remain unchanged. Our Modal Verb Changes table provides the complete reference.

Tenses don't change for universal truths, habitual actions still true, when the reporting verb is in present tense, or when future events are still valid. The "Special Cases and Exceptions" section in our guide covers all these scenarios.

Pronouns change based on the speaker and listener perspective. First person (I/we) typically changes to third person (he/she/they), while third person pronouns remain unchanged. Our Pronoun Conversion Chart above shows all transformations with examples.

Common changes include: today → that day, tomorrow→the next day, yesterday→the day before, now→then. The complete Time Expression Conversions table in this guide lists all temporal changes you need to know.

Yes/No questions use 'if/whether' (asked if/whether...), while WH-questions retain the question word but change to statement order. Our "Types of Reported Speech" section provides formulas and examples for both types.

Commands use 'ordered/commanded + object + to + infinitive', while requests use 'requested/asked + object + to + infinitive'. The guide's Commands & Requests table shows patterns for orders, requests, advice, and warnings.

Common alternatives include stated, mentioned, asked, inquired, ordered, requested, suggested, warned, advised, promised, and apologized. Our Reporting Verbs Reference section categorizes 40+ verbs by function with usage patterns.

Common errors include forgetting tense changes, incorrect pronoun conversion, keeping quotation marks, and wrong word order in questions. The "Common Mistakes and Solutions" section in this guide provides detailed error analysis with corrections.

Exclamations are reported using 'exclaimed with [emotion] + that'. For example: "How beautiful!" becomes "She exclaimed with joy that it was beautiful." Our guide covers exclamations of joy, sorrow, and surprise with examples.

No, 'that' is optional in most reported statements. You can say either "He said that he was tired" or "He said he was tired." Both are correct, as explained in our Basic Rules section above.

Common changes include: here→there, this→that, these→those. The Place Expression Changes table in our guide provides all conversions with clear examples.

'Said' doesn't require an object ("He said that..."), while 'told' requires an object ("He told me that..."). Our Reporting Verbs section explains usage patterns for different reporting verbs.

In academic writing, use varied reporting verbs (argued, claimed, suggested), maintain formal tone, and ensure accurate tense shifts. This complete guide provides academic-level examples and advanced structures suitable for formal writing.

Our guide includes level-specific practice examples: Class 9 focuses on simple tense changes and basic conversions, while Class 10 covers complex tenses and mixed sentence types. Check the "Practice Examples by Level" section above.

Yes! Follow our 7-step process: 

1. Identify sentence type
2. Choose reporting verb
3. Change tenses
4. Adjust pronouns
5. Modify time/place expressions
6. Restructure questions if needed
7. Check for exceptions

The complete process is detailed in our Quick Reference Guide section.

Exams typically test tense changes, pronoun shifts, modal verb conversions, and question transformations. This comprehensive guide covers all exam-relevant topics with tables and formulas essential for competitive exam preparation.

Start with the practice examples in this guide, organized by difficulty level (Class 9, Class 10, and Advanced). The guide also includes 100+ examples throughout various sections for extensive practice. For additional exercises, consult your prescribed textbooks while using this guide as your primary reference.

The CBSE Class 10 formula follows the standard pattern covered in our guide: Subject + Reporting Verb + (that) + Changed Statement, with specific focus on all tense changes, modal verbs, and question transformations detailed in our comprehensive tables above.

There are four main types: 

1. Statements (affirmative/negative)
2. Questions (Yes/No and WH-questions)
3. Commands and Requests
4. Exclamations

Each type is thoroughly explained with formulas and examples in our "Types of Reported Speech" section.

Class 9 students should master the six basic rules outlined in our guide: removing quotation marks, changing pronouns, backshifting tenses, modifying time expressions, changing place expressions, and optionally adding 'that'. Our Class 9 Examples section provides appropriate practice material.