How to Change a Sentence into Reported Speech?

Changing a sentence into reported speech requires you to transform the direct speech into indirect speech while adjusting for changes in pronouns, verb tense, and structure. Here’s a simple process for converting a sentence into reported speech:

Steps to Change a Sentence into Reported Speech

1. Identify the reporting verb: The reporting verb (e.g., said, told, asked) introduces the sentence in reported speech.
2. Change the pronouns: Adjust the pronouns to match the context. For example, “I” becomes “he” or “she,” depending on the speaker.
3. Backshift the verb tenses: Most of the time, the tense shifts backward. For example:
   • Present simple becomes past simple (e.g., “He says” becomes “He said”).
   • Present continuous becomes past continuous (e.g., “I am eating” becomes “He was eating”).
   • Past simple becomes past perfect (e.g., “She finished” becomes “She had finished”).
4. Remove quotation marks: Do not use quotation marks in reported speech. The words are paraphrased.
5. Add "that" (optional): The word “that” can be added after the reporting verb to introduce the reported speech.

By following these steps, you can easily convert any sentence into reported speech. You can practice this with resources like a CBSE Reported Speech Class 10 Worksheet with Answers for better clarity and practice.