Direct And Indirect Speech

- by Chetna Bhatt

Types of Indirect Sentences

Interrogative

Imperative

Exclamatory

Types of Interrogative Sentences

Those that are introduced by modals like, is, are, has, have, am, does, do, did, will, can shall, could, etc

Those that are introduced by interrogative words like, why, when, where, which, what, who, how, etc.

There are two types of interrogative Sentences

Types of Interrogative Sentences

Sentences which are introduced by modals use words like: asked, inquired, questioned in place of ‘said’ and are followed by words like ‘if’ or ‘whether’. Thus the interrogative sentence will be changed to a simple sentence.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Modals

Direct: Rajesh said to Rani, “will you help me with my lesson?”

Indirect: Rajesh asked Rani whether she would help him with his lesson.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Modals

Direct: Seema said, “Rohan, did you check your pocket?”

Indirect: Seema asked Rohan if he had checked his pocket.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Modals

Direct: The blind man said to the lady, “Can you help me?”

Indirect: The blind man asked the lady whether she could help him.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Modals

Direct: Reema said to Sunita, “Are these answers correct?”

Indirect: Reema inquired of Sunita if those answers were correct.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Modals

Direct: “Abhishek, did you pay for this book?” said Saloni.

Indirect: Saloni asked Abhishek whether he had paid for that book.

Types of Interrogative Sentences

When an Interrogative Sentence is introduced by Questioning words like when, where, how, what, which, why,etc. The questioning word acts as the Conjunction.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Questioning Words

Direct: Rani said to Rohan, “When do you play Cricket?”

Indirect: Rani asked Rohan when he played Cricket.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Questioning Words

Direct: Columbus said, “What did you see?”

Indirect: Columbus asked what they saw.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Questioning Words

Direct: Roshni said, “Anandi, what are you doing?”

Indirect: Roshni asked Anandi what she was doing?

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Questioning Words

Direct: “Where do you live?” asked the Dwarf.

Indirect: The Dwarf enquired where she lived.

E.g. of Interrogative Sentences using Questioning Words

Direct: The Soldier said to us, “Where do you want to go?”

Indirect: The Soldier questioned us about where we wanted to go.

Today we have learnt the types of Interrogative Sentences.

Next time we will learn about Imperative Sentences & Exclamatory Sentences.

Thank You