Additional Important Rules of Narration with Complete Examples

Rule 1: Sentences with Modal Verbs (Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Ought to, Should, Would, Used to, Need, Dare)

 

Key Rule:

 

· Can changes to Could

· May changes to Might (for possibility) or Was/Were allowed to (for permission in past)

· Must changes to Had to (for obligation) or remains Must (for necessity/universal context)

· Should, Ought to, Might, Could, Would, Used to usually do not change (remain the same)

 

10 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Can)

Direct: He said, “I can swim.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं तैर सकता हूँ।”

Indirect: He said that he could swim.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह तैर सकता था।

Rule: ‘Can’ changes to ‘could’.

 

Example 2 (May – Possibility)

Direct: She said, “It may rain today.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “आज बारिश हो सकती है।”

Indirect: She said that it might rain that day.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उस दिन बारिश हो सकती थी।

Rule: ‘May’ (possibility) changes to ‘might’.

 

Example 3 (May – Permission in Past)

Direct: Father said to me, “You may go out to play.”

Direct Hindi: पिता ने मुझसे कहा, “तुम खेलने बाहर जा सकते हो।”

Indirect: Father told me that I was allowed to go out to play.

Indirect Hindi: पिता ने मुझसे कहा कि मुझे खेलने बाहर जाने की अनुमति थी।

Rule: ‘May’ (permission in past) changes to ‘was/were allowed to’.

 

Example 4 (Must – Obligation)

Direct: The teacher said, “You must submit your homework.”

Direct Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा, “तुम्हें अपना गृहकार्य जमा करना ही होगा।”

Indirect: The teacher said that we had to submit our homework.

Indirect Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा कि हमें अपना गृहकार्य जमा करना था।

Rule: ‘Must’ (obligation) changes to ‘had to’.

 

Example 5 (Must – Universal Necessity)

Direct: He said, “We must eat to live.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “हमें जीने के लिए खाना चाहिए।”

Indirect: He said that we must eat to live.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि हमें जीने के लिए खाना चाहिए।

Rule: ‘Must’ remains unchanged if it expresses universal truth or strong necessity.

 

Example 6 (Should)

Direct: The doctor said, “You should take rest.”

Direct Hindi: डॉक्टर ने कहा, “तुम्हें आराम करना चाहिए।”

Indirect: The doctor said that I should take rest.

Indirect Hindi: डॉक्टर ने कहा कि मुझे आराम करना चाहिए।

Rule: ‘Should’ does not change.

 

Example 7 (Would)

Direct: She said, “I would help you if I could.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “अगर मैं कर सकती तो तुम्हारी मदद करती।”

Indirect: She said that she would help me if she could.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि अगर वह कर सकती तो मेरी मदद करती।

Rule: ‘Would’ does not change.

 

Example 8 (Ought to)

Direct: He said, “We ought to respect our elders.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “हमें अपने बड़ों का सम्मान करना चाहिए।”

Indirect: He said that we ought to respect our elders.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि हमें अपने बड़ों का सम्मान करना चाहिए।

Rule: ‘Ought to’ does not change.

 

Example 9 (Used to)

Direct: Grandfather said, “I used to walk five miles daily.”

Direct Hindi: दादाजी ने कहा, “मैं रोज पाँच मील पैदल चला करता था।”

Indirect: Grandfather said that he used to walk five miles daily.

Indirect Hindi: दादाजी ने कहा कि वह रोज पाँच मील पैदल चला करते थे।

Rule: ‘Used to’ does not change.

 

Example 10 (Dare)

Direct: He said, “I dare not speak to her.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं उससे बोलने की हिम्मत नहीं करता।”

Indirect: He said that he dared not speak to her.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उससे बोलने की हिम्मत नहीं करता था।

Rule: ‘Dare’ can change to ‘dared’ or remain ‘dare’ depending on usage.

 

 

Rule 2: Sentences with Universal Truths, Habitual Facts, and Historical Facts

 

Key Rule:

No change in tense. The tense of the reported speech remains in the Present tense even if the reporting verb is in the Past.

 

10 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Universal Truth)

Direct: The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east.”

Direct Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा, “सूरज पूर्व में उगता है।”

Indirect: The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.

Indirect Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा कि सूरज पूर्व में उगता है।

Rule: Universal truth – tense remains unchanged.

 

Example 2 (Habitual Fact)

Direct: Mother said, “I wake up at 5 AM every day.”

Direct Hindi: माँ ने कहा, “मैं रोज सुबह 5 बजे उठती हूँ।”

Indirect: Mother said that she wakes up at 5 AM every day.

Indirect Hindi: माँ ने कहा कि वह रोज सुबह 5 बजे उठती है।

Rule: Habitual action – tense remains unchanged.

 

Example 3 (Scientific Fact)

Direct: The scientist said, “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.”

Direct Hindi: वैज्ञानिक ने कहा, “पानी 100 डिग्री सेल्सियस पर उबलता है।”

Indirect: The scientist said that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Indirect Hindi: वैज्ञानिक ने कहा कि पानी 100 डिग्री सेल्सियस पर उबलता है।

Rule: Scientific fact – no tense change.

 

Example 4 (Historical Fact)

Direct: The historian said, “Ashoka fought the Kalinga War.”

Direct Hindi: इतिहासकार ने कहा, “अशोक ने कलिंग युद्ध लड़ा था।”

Indirect: The historian said that Ashoka fought the Kalinga War.

Indirect Hindi: इतिहासकार ने कहा कि अशोक ने कलिंग युद्ध लड़ा था।

Rule: Historical fact – no tense change. (Note: Past Simple remains Past Simple).

 

Example 5 (Proverb)

Direct: Grandfather said, “Honesty is the best policy.”

Direct Hindi: दादाजी ने कहा, “ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।”

Indirect: Grandfather said that honesty is the best policy.

Indirect Hindi: दादाजी ने कहा कि ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।

Rule: Proverb – tense remains unchanged.

 

Example 6 (Permanent Situation)

Direct: He said, “My sister lives in London.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मेरी बहन लंदन में रहती है।”

Indirect: He said that his sister lives in London. (If still true)

Indirect: He said that his sister lived in London. (If context is past only)

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उसकी बहन लंदन में रहती है।

Rule: If the situation is still true, present tense can be retained (optional).

 

Example 7 (Religious Belief)

Direct: The priest said, “God is everywhere.”

Direct Hindi: पुजारी ने कहा, “भगवान हर जगह है।”

Indirect: The priest said that God is everywhere.

Indirect Hindi: पुजारी ने कहा कि भगवान हर जगह है।

Rule: Religious truth – no tense change.

 

Example 8 (Natural Phenomenon)

Direct: She said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “पृथ्वी सूर्य के चारों ओर घूमती है।”

Indirect: She said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि पृथ्वी सूर्य के चारों ओर घूमती है।

Rule: Natural phenomenon – no tense change.

 

Example 9 (Regular Habit – Still Continuing)

Direct: He said, “I smoke.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं सिगरेट पीता हूँ।”

Indirect: He said that he smokes. (If he still smokes)

Indirect: He said that he smoked. (If reporting an old habit)

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह सिगरेट पीता है।

Rule: Habit can remain present if still true.

 

Example 10 (Cultural Practice)

Direct: The guide said, “People in India celebrate Diwali.”

Direct Hindi: गाइड ने कहा, “भारत में लोग दिवाली मनाते हैं।”

Indirect: The guide said that people in India celebrate Diwali.

Indirect Hindi: गाइड ने कहा कि भारत में लोग दिवाली मनाते हैं।

Rule: Cultural practice – no tense change.

 

 

Rule 3: Sentences with ‘Let’ (Different Uses)

 

Key Rule:

 

· Let us (suggestion) → Suggest/Propose + that + we should

· Let him/them (permission) → Say that + … might/may be allowed to OR Subject + be + allowed to + Infinitive

· Let (challenge/defiance) → Challenge/Defy + object + to + infinitive

 

10 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Let us – Suggestion)

Direct: Ravi said, “Let us go to the cinema.”

Direct Hindi: रवि ने कहा, “चलो सिनेमा चलते हैं।”

Indirect: Ravi suggested that they should go to the cinema.

Indirect Hindi: रवि ने सुझाव दिया कि उन्हें सिनेमा जाना चाहिए।

Rule: ‘Let us’ (suggestion) becomes ‘suggested that they should’.

 

Example 2 (Let us – Alternative)

Direct: She said, “Let us wait for her.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “चलो उसका इंतजार करते हैं।”

Indirect: She proposed that they should wait for her.

Indirect Hindi: उसने प्रस्ताव रखा कि उन्हें उसका इंतजार करना चाहिए।

Rule: ‘Proposed that they should’ is another way.

 

Example 3 (Let him – Permission)

Direct: Father said, “Let him go now.”

Direct Hindi: पिता ने कहा, “उसे अब जाने दो।”

Indirect: Father said that he might be allowed to go then.

Indirect Hindi: पिता ने कहा कि उसे तब जाने की अनुमति दी जाए।

Rule: ‘Let him’ (permission) becomes ‘said that he might be allowed to’.

 

Example 4 (Let him – Alternative)

Direct: The teacher said, “Let the boys play.”

Direct Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा, “लड़कों को खेलने दो।”

Indirect: The teacher said that the boys should be allowed to play.

Indirect Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा कि लड़कों को खेलने की अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए।

Rule: Alternative construction with ‘should be allowed to’.

 

Example 5 (Let them – Permission)

Direct: Mother said, “Let them eat the cake.”

Direct Hindi: माँ ने कहा, “उन्हें केक खाने दो।”

Indirect: Mother said that they might be allowed to eat the cake.

Indirect Hindi: माँ ने कहा कि उन्हें केक खाने की अनुमति दी जाए।

Rule: ‘Let them’ becomes ‘said that they might be allowed to’.

 

Example 6 (Let me – Proposal)

Direct: He said, “Let me do it.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मुझे यह करने दो।”

Indirect: He proposed that he might be allowed to do it.

Indirect Hindi: उसने प्रस्ताव रखा कि उसे यह करने की अनुमति दी जाए।

Rule: ‘Let me’ becomes ‘proposed that he might be allowed to’.

 

Example 7 (Let – Challenge)

Direct: He said to me, “Let him try to catch me.”

Direct Hindi: उसने मुझसे कहा, “वह मुझे पकड़ने की कोशिश करे।”

Indirect: He challenged me that he should try to catch him.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे चुनौती दी कि वह उसे पकड़ने की कोशिश करे।

Rule: ‘Let’ expressing challenge becomes ‘challenged’.

 

Example 8 (Let – Indifference)

Direct: She said, “Let him say whatever he likes.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “वह जो चाहे कहे।”

Indirect: She said that he might say whatever he liked.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह जो चाहे कहे।

Rule: Expressing indifference – use ‘might’.

 

Example 9 (Let’s not – Negative Suggestion)

Direct: He said, “Let’s not waste time.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “चलो समय बर्बाद न करें।”

Indirect: He suggested that they should not waste time.

Indirect Hindi: उसने सुझाव दिया कि उन्हें समय बर्बाद नहीं करना चाहिए।

Rule: Negative suggestion becomes ‘suggested that they should not’.

 

Example 10 (Let – First Person with Object)

Direct: I said, “Let me help you.”

Direct Hindi: मैंने कहा, “मुझे तुम्हारी मदद करने दो।”

Indirect: I offered to help him.

Indirect Hindi: मैंने उसकी मदद करने की पेशकश की।

Rule: ‘Let me help you’ is often converted to ‘offered to help’.

Rule 4: Sentences with Exclamations Starting with ‘What’ or ‘How’

 

Key Rule:

Remove ‘What’ and ‘How’. Add ‘very’ or ‘great’ before the adjective/noun. Change the sentence to an assertive (statement) form.

 

 Examples:

 

Example 1 (What + Adjective + Noun)

Direct: He said, “What a beautiful flower it is!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “यह कितना सुंदर फूल है!”

Indirect: He exclaimed in wonder that it was a very beautiful flower.

Indirect Hindi: उसने आश्चर्य से कहा कि वह बहुत सुंदर फूल था।

Rule: ‘What a beautiful’ becomes ‘a very beautiful’.

 

Example 2 (How + Adjective)

Direct: She said, “How intelligent the boy is!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “लड़का कितना बुद्धिमान है!”

Indirect: She exclaimed with admiration that the boy was very intelligent.

Indirect Hindi: उसने प्रशंसा से कहा कि लड़का बहुत बुद्धिमान था।

Rule: ‘How intelligent’ becomes ‘very intelligent’.

 

Example 3 (What + Noun without Adjective)

Direct: The child said, “What a pity!”

Direct Hindi: बच्चे ने कहा, “कितना दुखद!”

Indirect: The child exclaimed with sorrow that it was a great pity.

Indirect Hindi: बच्चे ने दुःख से कहा कि यह बहुत दुखद था।

Rule: ‘What a pity’ becomes ‘a great pity’.

 

Example 4 (How + Adverb)

Direct: He said, “How fast he runs!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “वह कितनी तेज दौड़ता है!”

Indirect: He exclaimed with wonder that he ran very fast.

Indirect Hindi: उसने आश्चर्य से कहा कि वह बहुत तेज दौड़ता था।

Rule: ‘How fast’ becomes ‘very fast’.

 

Example 5 (What + Plural Noun)

Direct: They said, “What beautiful paintings these are!”

Direct Hindi: उन्होंने कहा, “ये कितनी सुंदर पेंटिंग हैं!”

Indirect: They exclaimed with admiration that those were very beautiful paintings.

Indirect Hindi: उन्होंने प्रशंसा से कहा कि वे बहुत सुंदर पेंटिंग थीं।

Rule: ‘What beautiful’ becomes ‘very beautiful’ (plural handled by verb).

 

Example 6 (How + Adjective + Subject + Verb)

Direct: The tourist said, “How beautiful the Taj Mahal is!”

Direct Hindi: पर्यटक ने कहा, “ताजमहल कितना सुंदर है!”

Indirect: The tourist exclaimed with wonder that the Taj Mahal was very beautiful.

Indirect Hindi: पर्यटक ने आश्चर्य से कहा कि ताजमहल बहुत सुंदर था।

Rule: ‘How beautiful’ becomes ‘very beautiful’.

 

Example 7 (What + a/an + Adjective + Noun – Past)

Direct: He said, “What a wonderful performance it was!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “यह कितना शानदार प्रदर्शन था!”

Indirect: He exclaimed with admiration that it had been a very wonderful performance.

Indirect Hindi: उसने प्रशंसा से कहा कि यह बहुत शानदार प्रदर्शन था।

Rule: Past tense changes to Past Perfect if needed.

 

Example 8 (How – expressing wish)

Direct: She said, “How I wish I were young again!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैं फिर से जवान होती!”

Indirect: She exclaimed with longing that she wished she were young again.

Indirect Hindi: उसने लालसा से कहा कि वह काश फिर से जवान होती।

Rule: Exclamatory wishes are reported with ‘exclaimed with longing/wish’.

 

Example 9 (What – expressing horror)

Direct: He said, “What a terrible accident!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “कितना भयानक दुर्घटना!”

Indirect: He exclaimed with horror that it was a very terrible accident.

Indirect Hindi: उसने भय से कहा कि यह बहुत भयानक दुर्घटना थी।

Rule: Emotion word changes according to the feeling.

 

Example 10 (What – expressing relief)

Direct: She said, “What a relief!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “कितनी राहत!”

Indirect: She exclaimed with relief that it was a great relief.

Indirect Hindi: उसने राहत से कहा कि यह बहुत बड़ी राहत थी।

Rule: ‘What a relief’ becomes ‘a great relief’.

 

Rule 5: Sentences Starting with ‘Would that’ or ‘If only’ (Wishes/Regrets)

 

Key Rule:

These are exclamatory wishes. Use ‘exclaimed with sorrow/regret’ or ‘wished’ + ‘that’ + subject + ‘might/had’ etc.

 

 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Would that – Present Wish)

Direct: He said, “Would that I were a king!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैं राजा होता!”

Indirect: He wished that he were a king.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह राजा होता।

Rule: ‘Would that’ becomes ‘wished that’.

 

Example 2 (If only – Past Regret)

Direct: She said, “If only I had studied harder!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैंने और मेहनत से पढ़ाई की होती!”

Indirect: She exclaimed with regret that she had studied harder.

Indirect Hindi: उसने पछतावे से कहा कि काश उसने और मेहनत से पढ़ाई की होती।

Rule: ‘If only’ + Past Perfect becomes ‘exclaimed with regret that + Past Perfect’.

 

Example 3 (Would that – Impossible Wish)

Direct: The poor man said, “Would that I were rich!”

Direct Hindi: गरीब आदमी ने कहा, “काश! मैं अमीर होता!”

Indirect: The poor man wished that he were rich.

Indirect Hindi: गरीब आदमी ने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह अमीर होता।

Rule: Subjunctive ‘were’ remains ‘were’.

 

Example 4 (If only – Present Unfulfilled Wish)

Direct: He said, “If only I could fly!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैं उड़ सकता!”

Indirect: He wished that he could fly.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह उड़ सकता।

Rule: ‘If only I could’ becomes ‘wished that he could’.

 

Example 5 (Would that – with ‘might’)

Direct: She said, “Would that I might see her once!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैं उसे एक बार देख पाता!”

Indirect: She wished that she might see her once.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह उसे एक बार देख पाता।

Rule: ‘Would that I might’ becomes ‘wished that he might’.

 

Example 6 (If only – with ‘would’)

Direct: He said, “If only she would understand!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! वह समझ जाए!”

Indirect: He wished that she would understand.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह समझ जाए।

Rule: ‘If only she would’ becomes ‘wished that she would’.

 

Example 7 (O that – Old English style)

Direct: The poet said, “O that I were young again!”

Direct Hindi: कवि ने कहा, “काश! मैं फिर से जवान होता!”

Indirect: The poet wished that he were young again.

Indirect Hindi: कवि ने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह फिर से जवान होता।

Rule: ‘O that’ is treated like ‘Would that’.

 

Example 8 (If only – with Past Perfect)

Direct: She said, “If only I had met him earlier!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैं उससे पहले मिली होती!”

Indirect: She wished that she had met him earlier.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह उससे पहले मिली होती।

Rule: Past Perfect remains Past Perfect.

 

Example 9 (Would that – with Past Perfect)

Direct: He said, “Would that I had not wasted my time!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “काश! मैंने अपना समय बर्बाद न किया होता!”

Indirect: He wished that he had not wasted his time.

Indirect Hindi: उसने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि उसने अपना समय बर्बाद न किया होता।

Rule: Past Perfect remains Past Perfect.

 

Example 10 (If only – for Impossible Situations)

Direct: The boy said, “If only I were the strongest man!”

Direct Hindi: लड़के ने कहा, “काश! मैं सबसे ताकतवर आदमी होता!”

Indirect: The boy wished that he were the strongest man.

Indirect Hindi: लड़के ने इच्छा व्यक्त की कि वह सबसे ताकतवर आदमी होता।

Rule: Subjunctive ‘were’ remains unchanged.

 

Rule 6: Sentences with ‘Good Morning’, ‘Thank You’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Congratulations’ (Social Expressions)

 

Key Rule:

These are not reported with ‘said’. Use specific reporting verbs like:

 

· Good morning → Wished good morning

· Thank you → Thanked / Expressed gratitude

· Sorry → Apologized / Expressed sorrow

· Congratulations → Congratulated

· Goodbye → Bade goodbye / Took leave of

· Welcome → Welcomed

 

 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Good Morning)

Direct: He said, “Good morning, sir.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “सुप्रभात, महोदय।”

Indirect: He wished sir good morning.

Indirect Hindi: उसने महोदय को सुप्रभात कहा।

Rule: ‘Said good morning’ becomes ‘wished good morning’.

 

Example 2 (Thank You)

Direct: She said to me, “Thank you very much.”

Direct Hindi: उसने मुझसे कहा, “आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।”

Indirect: She thanked me very much.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद दिया।

Rule: ‘Said thank you’ becomes ‘thanked’.

 

Example 3 (Sorry)

Direct: He said, “I am sorry for my mistake.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मुझे अपनी गलती के लिए खेद है।”

Indirect: He apologized for his mistake.

Indirect Hindi: उसने अपनी गलती के लिए माफी मांगी।

Rule: ‘I am sorry’ becomes ‘apologized’.

 

Example 4 (Congratulations)

Direct: They said, “Congratulations on your success!”

Direct Hindi: उन्होंने कहा, “आपकी सफलता पर बधाई!”

Indirect: They congratulated me on my success.

Indirect Hindi: उन्होंने मुझे मेरी सफलता पर बधाई दी।

Rule: ‘Congratulations’ becomes ‘congratulated’.

 

Example 5 (Goodbye)

Direct: He said to me, “Goodbye, my friend.”

Direct Hindi: उसने मुझसे कहा, “अलविदा, मेरे दोस्त।”

Indirect: He bade goodbye to his friend.

Indirect Hindi: उसने अपने दोस्त को अलविदा कहा।

Rule: ‘Said goodbye’ becomes ‘bade goodbye’.

 

Example 6 (Welcome)

Direct: She said, “Welcome to our home.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “हमारे घर में आपका स्वागत है।”

Indirect: She welcomed me to their home.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे उनके घर में स्वागत किया।

Rule: ‘Said welcome’ becomes ‘welcomed’.

 

Example 7 (Good Night)

Direct: Mother said to me, “Good night, dear.”

Direct Hindi: माँ ने मुझसे कहा, “शुभ रात्रि, प्रिय।”

Indirect: Mother wished me good night.

Indirect Hindi: माँ ने मुझे शुभ रात्रि कही।

Rule: ‘Good night’ becomes ‘wished good night’.

 

Example 8 (Farewell)

Direct: The students said, “Farewell, teacher!”

Direct Hindi: छात्रों ने कहा, “विदा, गुरुजी!”

Indirect: The students bade farewell to their teacher.

Indirect Hindi: छात्रों ने अपने गुरुजी को विदा कहा।

Rule: ‘Farewell’ becomes ‘bade farewell’.

 

Example 9 (Happy Birthday)

Direct: They said, “Happy birthday to you!”

Direct Hindi: उन्होंने कहा, “जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं!”

Indirect: They wished me a happy birthday.

Indirect Hindi: उन्होंने मुझे जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं दीं।

Rule: ‘Happy birthday’ becomes ‘wished a happy birthday’.

 

Example 10 (Good Luck)

Direct: He said, “Good luck for your exam!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “तुम्हारी परीक्षा के लिए शुभकामनाएं!”

Indirect: He wished me good luck for my exam.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मेरी परीक्षा के लिए मुझे शुभकामनाएं दीं।

Rule: ‘Good luck’ becomes ‘wished good luck’.

 

Rule 7: Sentences with Mixed Types (Two or More Sentences in One Quote)

 

Key Rule:

When a direct speech contains a mix of sentence types (e.g., statement + question), report each part separately using appropriate connectives and reporting verbs.

 

Examples:

 

Example 1 (Statement + Question)

Direct: He said to me, “I am tired. Will you help me?”

Direct Hindi: उसने मुझसे कहा, “मैं थक गया हूँ। क्या तुम मेरी मदद करोगे?”

Indirect: He told me that he was tired and asked if I would help him.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे बताया कि वह थक गया था और पूछा कि क्या मैं उसकी मदद करूंगा।

Rule: First part as statement, second as question with ‘and’.

 

Example 2 (Command + Question)

Direct: The teacher said, “Sit down. Why are you standing?”

Direct Hindi: अध्यापक ने कहा, “बैठ जाओ। तुम क्यों खड़े हो?”

Indirect: The teacher ordered to sit down and asked why they were standing.

Indirect Hindi: अध्यापक ने बैठने का आदेश दिया और पूछा कि वे क्यों खड़े थे।

Rule: Command + question combined.

 

Example 3 (Statement + Exclamation)

Direct: She said, “I have passed the exam. Hurrah!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं परीक्षा पास कर गई। वाह!”

Indirect: She exclaimed with joy that she had passed the exam.

Indirect Hindi: उसने खुशी से कहा कि वह परीक्षा पास कर गई थी।

Rule: Statement becomes part of the exclamation.

 

Example 4 (Question + Statement)

Direct: He said to her, “Where are you going? I want to come with you.”

Direct Hindi: उसने उससे कहा, “तुम कहाँ जा रही हो? मैं तुम्हारे साथ आना चाहता हूँ।”

Indirect: He asked her where she was going and said that he wanted to come with her.

Indirect Hindi: उसने उससे पूछा कि वह कहाँ जा रही थी और कहा कि वह उसके साथ आना चाहता था।

Rule: Question first, then statement with ‘and’.

 

Example 5 (Imperative + Statement)

Direct: Mother said, “Don’t run. You will fall.”

Direct Hindi: माँ ने कहा, “मत भागो। तुम गिर जाओगे।”

Indirect: Mother forbade him to run and warned that he would fall.

Indirect Hindi: माँ ने उसे भागने से मना किया और चेतावनी दी कि वह गिर जाएगा।

Rule: Imperative + statement with ‘and’.

 

Example 6 (Exclamation + Question)

Direct: He said, “Wow! Is that true?”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “वाह! क्या यह सच है?”

Indirect: He exclaimed in surprise and asked if that was true.

Indirect Hindi: उसने आश्चर्य से कहा और पूछा कि क्या यह सच था।

Rule: Exclamation + question combined.

 

Example 7 (Statement + Command + Question)

Direct: He said, “I am your friend. Listen to me. Why are you crying?”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं तुम्हारा दोस्त हूँ। मेरी बात सुनो। तुम क्यों रो रहे हो?”

Indirect: He told him that he was his friend, advised him to listen to him, and asked why he was crying.

Indirect Hindi: उसने उसे बताया कि वह उसका दोस्त था, उसे अपनी बात सुनने की सलाह दी, और पूछा कि वह क्यों रो रहा था।

Rule: Multiple parts joined with ‘and’ or commas.

 

Example 8 (Question + Question)

Direct: She said, “Who are you? What do you want?”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “तुम कौन हो? तुम क्या चाहते हो?”

Indirect: She asked who he was and what he wanted.

Indirect Hindi: उसने पूछा कि वह कौन था और वह क्या चाहता था।

Rule: Two questions joined with ‘and’.

 

Example 9 (Command + Exclamation)

Direct: The coach said, “Play well! Bravo!”

Direct Hindi: कोच ने कहा, “अच्छा खेलो! वाह!”

Indirect: The coach urged them to play well and exclaimed with applause.

Indirect Hindi: कोच ने उन्हें अच्छा खेलने का आग्रह किया और वाह कहा।

Rule: Command + exclamation.

 

Example 10 (Statement + Wish)

Direct: He said, “I am leaving. May you succeed!”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं जा रहा हूँ। तुम सफल हो!”

Indirect: He said that he was leaving and prayed that I might succeed.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह जा रहा था और प्रार्थना की कि मैं सफल होऊं।

Rule: Statement + optative wish.

 

Rule 8: Sentences with ‘Needn’t’ and ‘Daren’t’ (Semi-Modals)

 

Key Rule:

 

· Needn’t (lack of necessity) → didn’t need to / did not have to

· Daren’t (lack of courage) → did not dare to

 

Examples:

 

Example 1 (Needn’t – Present)

Direct: He said, “You needn’t wait for me.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “तुम्हें मेरा इंतजार करने की जरूरत नहीं है।”

Indirect: He said that I didn’t need to wait for him.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि मुझे उसका इंतजार करने की जरूरत नहीं थी।

Rule: ‘Needn’t’ becomes ‘didn’t need to’.

 

Example 2 (Needn’t – Alternative)

Direct: She said, “He needn’t come tomorrow.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “उसे कल आने की जरूरत नहीं है।”

Indirect: She said that he did not have to come the next day.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उसे अगले दिन आने की जरूरत नहीं थी।

Rule: ‘Needn’t’ can also become ‘did not have to’.

 

Example 3 (Daren’t)

Direct: He said, “I daren’t speak to her.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं उससे बोलने की हिम्मत नहीं करता।”

Indirect: He said that he did not dare to speak to her.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उससे बोलने की हिम्मत नहीं करता था।

Rule: ‘Daren’t’ becomes ‘did not dare to’.

 

Example 4 (Needn’t have – Past)

Direct: She said, “I needn’t have bought the ticket.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मुझे टिकट खरीदने की जरूरत नहीं थी (पर खरीद लिया)।”

Indirect: She said that she needn’t have bought the ticket.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उसे टिकट खरीदने की जरूरत नहीं थी।

Rule: ‘Needn’t have’ remains the same as it refers to an unnecessary past action.

 

Example 5 (Needn’t – Future in Past)

Direct: He said, “You needn’t worry about it.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “तुम्हें इसके बारे में चिंता करने की जरूरत नहीं है।”

Indirect: He said that I didn’t need to worry about it.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि मुझे इसके बारे में चिंता करने की जरूरत नहीं थी।

Rule: Standard conversion.

 

Example 6 (Daren’t – with Object)

Direct: He said, “I daren’t ask her for money.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं उससे पैसे मांगने की हिम्मत नहीं करता।”

Indirect: He said that he did not dare to ask her for money.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उससे पैसे मांगने की हिम्मत नहीं करता था।

Rule: ‘Daren’t’ becomes ‘did not dare to’.

 

Example 7 (Needn’t – Negative with Object)

Direct: Mother said, “You needn’t buy vegetables.”

Direct Hindi: माँ ने कहा, “तुम्हें सब्जियां खरीदने की जरूरत नहीं है।”

Indirect: Mother said that I didn’t need to buy vegetables.

Indirect Hindi: माँ ने कहा कि मुझे सब्जियां खरीदने की जरूरत नहीं थी।

Rule: Standard conversion.

 

Example 8 (Daren’t – with Infinitive)

Direct: She said, “I daren’t tell him the truth.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं उसे सच बताने की हिम्मत नहीं करती।”

Indirect: She said that she did not dare to tell him the truth.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उसे सच बताने की हिम्मत नहीं करती थी।

Rule: Standard conversion.

 

Example 9 (Needn’t – Question Form)

Direct: He said, “Need I go there?”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “क्या मुझे वहां जाने की जरूरत है?”

Indirect: He asked if he needed to go there.

Indirect Hindi: उसने पूछा कि क्या उसे वहां जाने की जरूरत थी।

Rule: Question with ‘need’ becomes ‘asked if he needed to’.

 

Example 10 (Dare – Affirmative)

Direct: He said, “I dare you to jump.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं तुम्हें कूदने की चुनौती देता हूँ।”

Indirect: He challenged me to jump.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे कूदने की चुनौती दी।

Rule: ‘I dare you’ (challenge) becomes ‘challenged’.

Rule 9: Change of Time, Place, and Demonstratives

 

Key Rule:

These words change according to the context:

 

Direct -Indirect

Now- Then

Here -There

Today -That day

Tomorrow -The next day / The following day

Yesterday- The previous day / The day before

Ago -Before

Thus-So

Hence -Thence

Come -Go

This -hat

These -Those

Last night -The previous night

 

 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Now → Then)

Direct: He said, “I am busy now.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं अभी व्यस्त हूँ।”

Indirect: He said that he was busy then.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह तब व्यस्त था।

 

Example 2 (Here → There)

Direct: She said, “Please sit here.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “कृपया यहाँ बैठिए।”

Indirect: She requested me to sit there.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे वहाँ बैठने का अनुरोध किया।

 

Example 3 (Today → That day)

Direct: He said, “I will finish it today.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं इसे आज खत्म कर दूंगा।”

Indirect: He said that he would finish it that day.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उसे उस दिन खत्म कर देगा।

 

Example 4 (Tomorrow → The next day)

Direct: She said, “I will come tomorrow.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं कल आऊंगी।”

Indirect: She said that she would come the next day.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह अगले दिन आएगी।

 

Example 5 (Yesterday → The previous day)

Direct: He said, “I met her yesterday.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैं कल उससे मिला।”

Indirect: He said that he had met her the previous day.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वह उससे एक दिन पहले मिला था।

 

Example 6 (Ago → Before)

Direct: She said, “I left India two years ago.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मैंने दो साल पहले भारत छोड़ा था।”

Indirect: She said that she had left India two years before.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उसने दो साल पहले भारत छोड़ा था।

 

Example 7 (This → That)

Direct: He said, “I like this book.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “मुझे यह किताब पसंद है।”

Indirect: He said that he liked that book.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि उसे वह किताब पसंद थी।

 

Example 8 (These → Those)

Direct: She said, “These flowers are beautiful.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “ये फूल सुंदर हैं।”

Indirect: She said that those flowers were beautiful.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि वे फूल सुंदर थे।

 

Example 9 (Thus → So)

Direct: He said, “Thus ended the story.”

Direct Hindi: उसने कहा, “इस प्रकार कहानी समाप्त हुई।”

Indirect: He said that so ended the story.

Indirect Hindi: उसने कहा कि इस प्रकार कहानी समाप्त हुई।

 

Example 10 (Come → Go)

Direct: She said to me, “Come here.”

Direct Hindi: उसने मुझसे कहा, “यहाँ आओ।”

Indirect: She told me to go there.

Indirect Hindi: उसने मुझे वहाँ जाने के लिए कहा।

 

 

Rule 10: No Change in Tense if Reporting Verb is in Present or Future Tense

 

Key Rule:

If the reporting verb (say/says/will say) is in the present or future tense, the tense of the reported speech does NOT change.

 

 Examples:

 

Example 1 (Present Reporting Verb)

Direct: He says, “I am happy.”

Direct Hindi: वह कहता है, “मैं खुश हूँ।”

Indirect: He says that he is happy.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहता है कि वह खुश है।

Rule: No tense change because reporting verb is present.

 

Example 2 (Present Reporting Verb)

Direct: She says, “I will come tomorrow.”

Direct Hindi: वह कहती है, “मैं कल आऊंगी।”

Indirect: She says that she will come tomorrow.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहती है कि वह कल आएगी।

Rule: Future tense remains future.

 

Example 3 (Present Reporting Verb)

Direct: He says, “I was sleeping.”

Direct Hindi: वह कहता है, “मैं सो रहा था।”

Indirect: He says that he was sleeping.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहता है कि वह सो रहा था।

Rule: Past tense remains past.

 

Example 4 (Present Reporting Verb)

Direct: They say, “We have finished the work.”

Direct Hindi: वे कहते हैं, “हमने काम पूरा कर लिया है।”

Indirect: They say that they have finished the work.

Indirect Hindi: वे कहते हैं कि उन्होंने काम पूरा कर लिया है।

Rule: Present Perfect remains Present Perfect.

 

Example 5 (Future Reporting Verb)

Direct: He will say, “I am busy.”

Direct Hindi: वह कहेगा, “मैं व्यस्त हूँ।”

Indirect: He will say that he is busy.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहेगा कि वह व्यस्त है।

Rule: No tense change with future reporting verb.

 

Example 6 (Present Reporting Verb with Universal Truth)

Direct: The teacher says, “Honesty is the best policy.”

Direct Hindi: अध्यापक कहते हैं, “ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।”

Indirect: The teacher says that honesty is the best policy.

Indirect Hindi: अध्यापक कहते हैं कि ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।

Rule: Universal truth remains unchanged anyway.

 

Example 7 (Present Reporting Verb with Question)

Direct: She asks, “Where do you live?”

Direct Hindi: वह पूछती है, “तुम कहाँ रहते हो?”

Indirect: She asks where I live.

Indirect Hindi: वह पूछती है कि मैं कहाँ रहता हूँ।

Rule: Question tense remains present.

 

Example 8 (Present Reporting Verb with Command)

Direct: He says to me, “Help him.”

Direct Hindi: वह मुझसे कहता है, “उसकी मदद करो।”

Indirect: He tells me to help him.

Indirect Hindi: वह मुझसे उसकी मदद करने को कहता है।

Rule: Imperative becomes infinitive but reporting verb remains present.

 

Example 9 (Present Reporting Verb with Exclamation)

Direct: She says, “What a beautiful scene!”

Direct Hindi: वह कहती है, “कितना सुंदर दृश्य है!”

Indirect: She exclaims that it is a very beautiful scene.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहती है कि यह बहुत सुंदर दृश्य है।

Rule: Exclamation converted with present tense.

 

Example 10 (Present Reporting Verb with Modal)

Direct: He says, “I can swim.”

Direct Hindi: वह कहता है, “मैं तैर सकता हूँ।”

Indirect: He says that he can swim.

Indirect Hindi: वह कहता है कि वह तैर सकता है।

Rule: Modal ‘can’ does not change.