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Unit 3: Functional English Grammar: Direct and Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)

(iv) The Hermit came to me in a smiling way. I told him that I had a very long walk, and that I Notes
was tired out.
(v) The shopkeeper told the customer that the previous day he had sold them five for a rupee,
but that day he could not sell even three for a rupee.
3.3.6 Conversion of Interrogative Sentences
From Direct into Indirect
Rules
1. The Reporting Verb is changed into ask, enquire, inquire, demand etc.
2. No Conjunction is used to introduce the Reported Speech if the question begins with an
Interrogative word ; such as— who, whose, whom, which, where, why, when, how etc.
3. If or whether is used to introduce the Reported Speech if the question begins with a Helping
Verb ; such as— is, are, am, was, were, has, have, had, does, do, did, shall, will, can, could, should,
would, may, might, must etc.
4. Questions become statements ending in Full Stop.
5. We observe the rules for the change of Verbs, Pronouns and words showing nearness.
Notes:
1. “That” never introduces the Reported Speech in the Interrogative Sentences.
2. Enquire, inquire and demand take ‘of’ before a Personal Object.
EXAMPLES
1. Questions beginning with a Helping Verb.
Direct Indirect
(i) Sham said to Rani “Are you not my Sham asked Rani if she was not his sister.
sister?”
(ii) She said to me, “Will you take part in She asked me if I would take part in games.
games?”
(iii) I said to him, “Have you a spare pencil?” I asked him if he had a spare pencil.
(iv) The teacher said to me, “Do you intend The teacher enquired of me if I go to intended
to England?” to go to England.
(v) He said to her, “Did you enjoy the trip He enquired of her if she had enjoyed the
to Chandigarh”? trip to Chandigarh.
2. Sentences having ‘Yes’ or ‘No’:
(vi)“Are there any more files”? He asked. He asked the peon if there were any more files.
“Yes, sir,” said the peon. The peon replied respectfully that there were.
(vii) The teacher said to Lila, “Did you The teacher asked Lila if she had broken the
break the window pane?” window pane. Lila replied respectfully that
“No, sir,” said Lila, “I did not.” she had not.
(viii) “May I come in Madam?” said Krishna. Krishna enquired of the teacher respectfully
“Yes, said the teacher, “very gladly.” if she might come in. The teacher replied in
the affirmative and told her that she could come in very gladly.
(ix) “If you find my answers satisfactory, The astrologer asked the customer whether
will you give me five rupees?” he (C) would give him (A) five rupees if he
said the astrologer. (C) found his (A) answers satisfactory. The
“No”, replied the customer. customer replied that he would not.

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