Skip to main content
Super TutorResources
Chapter 31 of 33
Syllabus

Direct and Indirect Speech — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 5 · Essentials of English Grammar and Composition

What Direct and Indirect Speech covers in ICSE Class 5 Essentials of English Grammar and Composition: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

45 questions30 flashcards4 concepts

Interactive on Super Tutor

Studying Direct and Indirect Speech? Get the full interactive chapter.

Quizzes, flashcards, AI doubt-solver and a step-by-step study plan — built for syllabus and more.

Try Super Tutor — Free

Free trial, no card needed.

4 Topics · ICSE Class 5 Essentials of English Grammar and Composition · 2026-27

Topics in Direct and Indirect Speech

1

1. What is Direct and Indirect Speech?

  • Direct Speech: The exact words spoken by a person, written within inverted commas (" ").
  • Indirect Speech: Reporting someone's words in our own words, without inverted commas.
  • In direct speech, punctuation like commas and quotation marks are used.
2

2. Rules for Changing Tenses

  • If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense in the reported speech does not change.
  • If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense in the reported speech usually changes to the past form.
  • Universal truths and habitual facts do not change their tense even in indirect speech.
3

3. Changes in Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives

  • Pronouns change based on the subject or object of the reporting verb.
  • First person (I, we, my, our) changes according to the speaker.
  • Second person (you, your) changes according to the person being spoken to.
4

4. Changes in Time and Place Expressions

  • Words like 'today', 'here', 'now', 'yesterday', 'tomorrow' change in indirect speech.
  • These changes depend on the time of reporting.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct SpeechIndirect SpeechTense ChangesPronoun and Possessive ChangesTime and Place WordsReporting StatementsReporting QuestionsReporting Commands and Requests

Work through every topic in Direct and Indirect Speech with notes and quizzes

Start This Chapter

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Direct and Indirect Speech for ICSE Class 5 Essentials of English Grammar and Composition?
Key topics in Direct and Indirect Speech include What is Direct and Indirect Speech?, Rules for Changing Tenses, Changes in Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives, Changes in Time and Place Expressions. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 5 exams.
How should I revise Direct and Indirect Speech for Class 5 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on Direct and Indirect Speech. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

More resources for Direct and Indirect Speech

All ICSE Class 5 Essentials of English Grammar and Composition Syllabus

For serious students

Get the full Direct and Indirect Speech chapter — start free.

Quizzes, flashcards, an AI doubt solver and a study plan for ICSE Class 5 Essentials of English Grammar and Composition. Free to start, no card needed.

Try Super Tutor Free
Try this chapter free