5 Easy Narration Change Exercises for Beginners

In the English language, narration change exercises are vital for understanding how to shift between direct speech and indirect speech. This concept plays a central role in both written and spoken communication, especially when reporting what someone has said. For students preparing for exams or individuals refining their language skills, mastering narration change is an essential aspect of grammar. In this article, we’ll explore narration change exercises, the rules for converting direct to indirect speech, and provide a series of practical examples to help you practice effectively.

What Is Narration Change?

Narration change, often referred to as reported speech, involves converting direct speech (where the exact words of a speaker are quoted) into indirect speech (where the speaker’s words are paraphrased). The shift can be made for a variety of reasons, such as when reporting someone’s words in a more formal context or when relaying information in a summary.

Terms to Know:

• Direct Speech: Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken by a person, often enclosed in quotation marks.

• Indirect Speech: Indirect speech reports what was said without quoting it directly, often adjusting the pronouns and tenses.

Types of Narration Changes

There are two primary types of narration change:

1. Direct Speech to Indirect Speech: Converting quoted speech into reported speech.

2. Indirect Speech to Direct Speech: Converting reported speech back into quoted speech.

In both cases, certain changes need to be made to the structure of the sentence, particularly regarding pronouns, verb tenses, and punctuation.

Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech

Before diving into exercises, let’s explore some essential rules for transforming direct speech into indirect speech.

1. Changing the Pronouns

In indirect speech, pronouns are often adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporting speaker. For instance:

• Direct: He said, “I am going to the store.”

• Indirect: He said that he was going to the store.

2. Shifting Tenses

In most cases, the verb tense in direct speech must be shifted when converting to indirect speech. Here are some common shifts:

• Present Simple becomes Past Simple:

  • Direct: “I like coffee.”

  • Indirect: She said that she liked coffee.

• Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous:

  • Direct: “I am reading a book.”

  • Indirect: He said that he was reading a book.

• Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect:

  • Direct: “I have finished my work.”

  • Indirect: She said that she had finished her work.

3. Adjusting Time Expressions

Time-related words or expressions often change when shifting to indirect speech. For example:

• Direct: “I will visit tomorrow.”

• Indirect: He said that he would visit the next day.

• Direct: “I saw her yesterday.”

• Indirect: She said that she had seen her the day before.

4. Changing the Speech Verb

Certain verbs are used to introduce indirect speech, such as:

• Said, Told, Asked, Informed, Explained, etc.

Example:

• Direct: “I am leaving now,” he said.

• Indirect: He said that he was leaving then.

Practice Exercises for Narration Change

Now, let’s put theory into practice with a series of exercises. These exercises will help you sharpen your understanding of how to convert direct speech into indirect speech.

Exercise 1: Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech

Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech:

1. “I am going to the market,” she said.

2. “We are leaving tomorrow,” John told me.

3. “She will call you later,” he said.

4. “I have never seen such a beautiful sunset,” she exclaimed.

5. “Where are you going?” he asked.

6. “I need to finish this by 5 PM,” he said.

7. “They have already left for the airport,” she mentioned.

8. “I can’t believe it,” he said.

9. “The movie starts at 7 PM,” the manager said.

10. “Do you want some coffee?” she asked.

Exercise 2: Convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech

Rewrite the following sentences in direct speech:

1. He said that he was feeling sick.

2. They told me they had completed the assignment.

3. She wondered if I would join her for lunch.

4. The teacher asked if we had understood the lesson.

5. He mentioned that he would come over later.

6. They asked me where I had bought the book.

7. She explained that she couldn’t attend the meeting.

8. He asked if I was going to the party.

9. She said that she had been waiting for an hour.

10. He wondered if I could help him with his homework.

Exercise 3: Converting Yes/No Questions to Indirect Speech

Convert the following yes/no questions into indirect speech:

1. “Are you coming to the party?” she asked.

2. “Did you receive my email?” he inquired.

3. “Can you finish the task today?” she asked.

4. “Will you be joining us for dinner?” he asked.

5. “Do you know where she is?” they asked.

6. “Is this your notebook?” the teacher asked.

7. “Have you completed your project?” she asked.

8. “Did you hear about the news?” he asked.

9. “Will it rain tomorrow?” she inquired.

10. “Can I borrow your phone?” he asked.

Exercise 4: Converting WH-Questions to Indirect Speech

Convert the following WH-questions into indirect speech:

1. “What time is the meeting?” she asked.

2. “Where did you buy this jacket?” he asked.

3. “Why are you upset?” she inquired.

4. “Who is coming to the event?” he asked.

5. “What did she say?” he asked.

6. “How much does this cost?” she asked.

7. “When did you arrive?” he asked.

8. “Where do you live?” she asked.

9. “How do you solve this problem?” he asked.

10. “Why did you leave early?” she asked.

Exercise 5: Converting Exclamatory Sentences to Indirect Speech

Convert the following exclamatory sentences into indirect speech:

1. “What a beautiful dress!” she exclaimed.

2. “I can’t believe it’s already Friday!” he said.

3. “How wonderful the weather is!” she exclaimed.

4. “This is the best day of my life!” he said.

5. “What a surprise!” she shouted.

6. “How amazing that was!” he exclaimed.

7. “I have never seen anything like it!” she said.

8. “What a lovely house!” he remarked.

9. “I can’t believe I won the game!” she said joyfully.

10. “How happy I am!” he exclaimed.

Answers

Exercise 1: Convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech

1. She said that she was going to the market.

2. John told me that they were leaving the next day.

3. He said that she would call me later.

4. She exclaimed that she had never seen such a beautiful sunset.

5. He asked where I was going.

6. He said that he needed to finish this by 5 PM.

7. She mentioned that they had already left for the airport.

8. He said that he couldn’t believe it.

9. The manager said that the movie started at 7 PM.

10. She asked if I wanted some coffee.

Exercise 2: Convert Indirect Speech to Direct Speech

1. “I am feeling sick,” he said.

2. “We have completed the assignment,” they told me.

3. “Would you join me for lunch?” she wondered.

4. “Did you understand the lesson?” the teacher asked.

5. “I will come over later,” he mentioned.

6. “Where did you buy the book?” they asked me.

7. “I can’t attend the meeting,” she explained.

8. “Are you going to the party?” he asked.

9. “I have been waiting for an hour,” she said.

10. “Can you help me with my homework?” he wondered.

Exercise 3: Converting Yes/No Questions to Indirect Speech

1. She asked if I was coming to the party.

2. He inquired if I had received his email.

3. She asked if I could finish the task today.

4. He asked if I would be joining them for dinner.

5. They asked if I knew where she was.

6. The teacher asked if that was my notebook.

7. She asked if I had completed my project.

8. He asked if I had heard about the news.

9. She inquired if it would rain tomorrow.

10. He asked if he could borrow my phone.

Exercise 4: Converting WH-Questions to Indirect Speech

1. She asked what time the meeting was.

2. He asked where I had bought that jacket.

3. She inquired why I was upset.

4. He asked who was coming to the event.

5. He asked what she had said.

6. She asked how much that cost.

7. He asked when I had arrived.

8. She asked where I lived.

9. He asked how I solved that problem.

10. She asked why I had left early.

Exercise 5: Converting Exclamatory Sentences to Indirect Speech

1. She exclaimed that it was a beautiful dress.

2. He said that he couldn’t believe it was already Friday.

3. She exclaimed how wonderful the weather was.

4. He said that it was the best day of his life.

5. She shouted that it was a surprise.

6. He exclaimed how amazing that was.

7. She said that she had never seen anything like it.

8. He remarked that it was a lovely house.

9. She said joyfully that she couldn’t believe she had won the game.

10. He exclaimed how happy he was.

Common Mistakes in Narration Change

While practicing narration change exercises, learners often make common mistakes. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

1. Incorrect Tense Shifts

Sometimes, learners fail to adjust the verb tense correctly when switching from direct speech to indirect speech. Remember that in most cases, present tenses change to past tenses.

2. Neglecting Pronoun Changes

Pronouns must reflect the perspective of the reporting speaker. Forgetting to change pronouns is a common mistake, so be sure to revise them carefully.

3. Misplacing the Reporting Verb

Always use the correct reporting verb in indirect speech. For example, “said” is used for statements, while “asked” is used for questions. Using the wrong verb can alter the meaning of the sentence.

Conclusion On Narration Change Exercises

Mastering narration change exercises is an essential skill that enhances both your spoken and written communication. By practicing regularly and understanding the intricate rules of direct and indirect speech, you can become more confident in converting speech in both simple and complex situations. Remember to focus on the rules of pronoun changes, tense shifts, and adapting time expressions. With consistent practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering narration change and improving your overall grammar.