Exercise on Reported Speech – Exercise 1

Exercise on reported speech with answers and explanation.

Related Post: How to Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech – All Rules Explained

Questions:

1. She said, “I am going to the store.”
2. John asked, “Do you want to come with me?”
3. They said, “We will arrive at 7 p.m.”
4. Mary asked, “Have you finished your homework?”
5. He said, “I am reading a book right now.”
6. She asked, “What time does the meeting start?”
7. He said, “I can help you with that.”
8. They asked, “Is she coming to the party?”
9. Sarah said, “I am planning a trip to Paris.”
10. Tim asked, “Are you going to the concert tonight?”
11. She said, “I have never been to New York.”
12. David asked, “Can you lend me your pen?”
13. He said, “I was studying all night.”
14. She said, “I don’t like chocolate.”
15. He asked, “Why didn’t you come to the meeting?”
16. They said, “We are working on the project together.”
17. She asked, “Did you see my keys?”
18. Mark said, “I will call you later.”
19. Lisa said, “I have finished my assignment.”
20. Paul asked, “Will you help me with the shopping?”
21. She said, “I can’t attend the event tomorrow.”
22. John said, “I had already left when you called.”
23. They asked, “Did you enjoy the movie?”
24. Mary said, “I am tired today.”
25. He said, “I don’t understand this question.”

Answers with Explanations:

1. She said that she was going to the store.
   Explanation: “I am” changes to “was” (past continuous), as the reporting verb is in the past tense.
2. John asked if I wanted to come with him.
   Explanation: In reported speech, “do” changes to “did,” and “want” becomes “wanted.” “You” changes to “I,” and “me” changes to “him.”
3. They said that they would arrive at 7 p.m.
   Explanation: “Will” changes to “would” because the reporting verb is in the past tense.
4. Mary asked if I had finished my homework.
   Explanation: “Have” changes to “had” because it is a past tense question.
5. He said that he was reading a book right then.
   Explanation: “Am” changes to “was” because it is in the past tense, and the present continuous becomes past continuous.
6. She asked what time the meeting started.
   Explanation: “Does” changes to “did” because it’s a past tense question, and the verb tense changes accordingly.
7. He said that he could help me with that.
   Explanation: “Can” changes to “could” because it’s a past tense reporting verb.
8. They asked if she was coming to the party.
   Explanation: “Is” changes to “was” because the reporting verb is in the past tense.
9. Sarah said that she was planning a trip to Paris.
   Explanation: “Am” changes to “was” to reflect the past tense.
10. Tim asked if I was going to the concert that night.
    Explanation: “Are” changes to “was,” and “tonight” becomes “that night.”
11. She said that she had never been to New York.
    Explanation: “Have” changes to “had” because it is a past tense statement.
12. David asked if I could lend him my pen.
    Explanation: “Can” changes to “could,” and “you” changes to “I” and “me” changes to “him.”
13. He said that he had been studying all night.
    Explanation: “Was” changes to “had been” to form past perfect continuous.
14. She said that she didn’t like chocolate.
    Explanation: “Don’t” changes to “didn’t” because it is a past tense statement.
15. He asked why I hadn’t come to the meeting.
    Explanation: “Didn’t” changes to “hadn’t” because it is a past perfect question.
16. They said that they were working on the project together.
    Explanation: “Are” changes to “were” to reflect past continuous.
17. She asked if I had seen her keys.
    Explanation: “Did” changes to “had,” and the verb tense changes accordingly.
18. Mark said that he would call me later.
    Explanation: “Will” changes to “would” because it’s a past tense statement.
19. Lisa said that she had finished her assignment.
    Explanation: “Have” changes to “had” because it is a past perfect statement.
20. Paul asked if I would help him with the shopping.
    Explanation: “Will” changes to “would,” and “you” changes to “I” and “me” changes to “him.”
21. She said that she couldn’t attend the event the next day.
    Explanation: “Can’t” changes to “couldn’t,” and “tomorrow” becomes “the next day.”
22. John said that he had already left when I called.
    Explanation: “Had” remains as “had” because it is a past perfect statement.
23. They asked if I had enjoyed the movie.
    Explanation: “Did” changes to “had” for past perfect tense.
24. Mary said that she was tired that day.
    Explanation: “Am” changes to “was,” and “today” becomes “that day.”
25. He said that he didn’t understand that question.
    Explanation: “Don’t” changes to “didn’t” because it is a past tense statement.