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

Mixed Imperative, Interrogative or Assertive Sentences Notes
1. Direct : The Devil said to the Imp, “If the peasants and their wives do that kind of
things, we shall be lost. Go back at once and make things right.”
Indirect : The Devil told the Imp that if the peasants and their wives did that kind of
things, they would be lost and ordered him to go back at once and make things
right.
2. Direct : “Beg your pardon, Sir,” said Nabendu. “There has been a mistake,” and with
perspiration, he came out of the room somehow.
Indirect : Nabendu respectfully begged his pardon and remarked that there had been a
mistake ; and wet with perspiration, he came out of the room somehow.
3. Direct : He said to her, “Why do you come here and disturb me? You are a great
nuisance. Go away at once and do not come here again.”
Indirect : He asked her why she came there and disturbed him. He told her that she was
a great nuisance. He further ordered her to go away at once and not to come
there again.
Self-Assessment
7. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech:
(i) “Stop writing,” said the superintendent to the examinees, “Stand up and deliver the answer-
books to me.”
(ii) The mouse said to the lion, “Your Majesty, spare my life.”
(iii) “Always speak the truth, Rakesh,” said the father, “and never try to deceive anybody.”
(iv) She said to me, “Let us have a game of chess.”
(v) The teacher said, “Do not play here, boys. Go and play somewhere else.”

From Indirect Speech to Direct Speech
EXAMPLES
Indirect Direct
1. The preacher advised the people to do good The preacher said to the people “Do good
and forget. and forget.”
2. The master ordered the servant to get out The master said to the servant, “Get out of my
of his sight and not to show his face again. sight. Do not show me your face again.”
3. He proposed to us that we should go out He said to us, “Let us go out for a walk now.”
for a walk then.
4. I said that she could not pass how-ever I said, “Let her study ever so hard, she
hard she might study. cannot pass.”
Self-Assessment
8. Change the following sentences into Direct Speech:
(i) The father advised me not to keep late hours as it would tell upon my health.
(ii) I advised her to trust in God and do the right.
(iii) He shouted to the people to catch the thief and not to let him escape.
(iv) The host requested the guests to accept his humble fare.
(v) The accused begged the judge respectfully to pardon him and pardon him only once.

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