Direct and Indirect Speech for Kids

Direct speech tells the exact words someone said. We use quotation marks (" ") to show the exact sentence.

Example:

Mia said, “I love ice cream!”

Here, the sentence inside the quotation marks shows the exact words Mia said.

Indirect speech tells what someone said, but not the exact words. We usually remove quotation marks and change the sentence slightly.

Example:

Mia said that she loved ice cream.

The meaning is the same, but the words are reported differently.

When changing direct speech to indirect speech, we often:

Remove quotation marks

Add that

Change pronouns (I → he/she)

Sometimes change verb tense

Example:

Direct:

Sara said, “I am happy.”

Indirect:

Sara said that she was happy.

Read the sentences and decide if they are Direct Speech or Indirect Speech.

1. Ben said, “I lost my pencil.”

2. Lily said that she was going to the park.

3. Dad said, “Clean your room.”

4. My teacher said that the test would be tomorrow.

Answers

1. Direct

2. Indirect

3. Direct

4. Indirect

Turn the Direct Speech into Indirect Speech.

1. Emma said, “I like pizza.”

2. Jack said, “I am playing outside.”

3. Mom said, “Dinner is ready.”

Possible Answers

1. Emma said that she liked pizza.

2. Jack said that he was playing outside.

3. Mom said that dinner was ready.

Fill in the blank!

Direct:

“I finished my homework,” said Liam.

Indirect:

Liam said that he ______ his homework.

✅ Answer: had finished

It helps us:

Tell stories clearly 📖

Report conversations 🗣️

Write better essays ✍️

Writers and speakers use these skills every day!