Direct and Indirect Speech Examples: Direct Speech Rules

What is direct and indirect speech? In English there are two ways of explaining what someone has said: Direct speech (quoted speech) or indirect speech (reported speech). Direct speech: He said, “I will play football today”. Indirect speech: He told us that he would be playing football today. In these examples, direct and indirect speech are in bold. Check out our direct and indirect speech infographic below.

Direct and Indirect Speech Sentence Examples

Practice direct and indirect speech in sentences. Direct speech is when the words are reported in the same way that the speaker said them. Indirect speech is the reporting of what someone else uttered but without changing the meaning of what was said. Have a go and make your own sentences with the direct and indirect speech poster above and sentences below.

• Direct speech sentences:
• He said, “I’m happy.”
• She said, “I’ve been to England three times.”
• He said, “We will travel to Cuba in June.”
• She said, “The new film was a spectacle.”



• Indirect speech sentences:
• He said that he was happy.
• She said that she had been to England three times.
• He said that he would travel to Cuba in June.
• She said that the new film was a spectacle.

Direct and Indirect Speech Games and Worksheets

Looking for more resources related to direct and indirect speech? Check out our comprehensive list of worksheets and video games. Download worksheets and play interactive games for free.

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